Events
Community of St. Dysmas - Jessep, Maryland, 1984
The first prison congregation developed by a main-line denomination was a Lutheran congregation in the Maryland prison system. It was called the Community of St. Dysmas, named for the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus who asked to be remembered. Jesus' reply was "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
The community of St. Dysmas was begun in May 1984, and has been engaged in effective ministry ever since. St. Dysmas now has congregations in the women's prison (MCI-W) where it all began, as well as a medium security men's prison (MCI-J), both in Jessup MD. St. Dysmas also has a presence in men's prisons in Hagarstown, MD.
Pastor Gerry Rickel
PO Box 354, Jefferson, MD 21755-0354
(443) 326-1115
St. Dysmas of South Dakota - Sioux Falls & Springfield, SD, 1990
Now Celebrating 22 years
St. Dysmas of South Dakota was begun in 1990 in the South Dakota synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Thousands of visitors have worshiped with inmate members at worship sites in Sioux Falls and Springfield, South Dakota. It is a commonly accepted fact that St. Dysmas has affected the Lutheran congregations in South Dakota more than any single ministry in recent history.
Pastor Marlin Wangsness
1300 E. 10th St.
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 338-1735
stdysmas@eastsidelc.org
www.stdysmas.net
Pastor Kwen Sanderson
1412 Wood St.
Springfield, SD 57062
kwen.sanderson@gmail.com
St. Dismas Episcopal - Graterford, PA , 1991
St. Dismas Episcopal prison ministry in Graterford, Pennsylvania began in 1970. Upon hearing of the congregational model, they organized as a congregation of the Philadelphia diocese in 1991. They are currently served 1/2 time, being yoked with St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Deliberate attention has been paid to creating a community of faith that is spiritually self-sustaining and is increasing the involvement of the support congregations.
Rev. Julius Jackson
1831 Bainbridge St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 985-0360
dayo1949@msn.com
Church of Hope - Pierre, SD, 1997
The Church of Hope, led by Rev. Michele Bradley is an American Baptist congregation in the SD Women’s Prison.
Rev. Michelle Bradley
PO Box 7110
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 494-0490
The Church of the Damascus Road - Fort Dodge & Rockwell City, IA, 1997
The Church of the Damascus Road is an ELCA congregation serving in two men’s facilities in Iowa. Their program has expanded to include a vibrant reentry program.
Pastor Paul Stone
239 North 11th Street
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 955-3579
DamascusCh@aol.com
www.codrcare.org
Followers of Christ - Lincoln, NE, 1997
Followers of Christ is an ELCA congregation in the Nebraska State Penitentiary for men. There is strong and on-going support of this ministry from the Nebraska Synod, ELCA. Followers of Christ members celebrate the call of their new pastor effective March 1, 2011.
Pastor Bob Bryan
POB 22014 Lincoln, NE 68542-2014
www.missionfieldnebraska.org/our-ministries/prison-ministry
New Beginnings - Church Denver, Co, 2000
New Beginnings Church is a joint venture among the Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA, the Episcopalian Diocese of Colorado and Prison Congregations of America, serving the women in the Denver Women's Correction Facility.
Pr. Emily Cardin
111 Del Mar Circle
Aurora, CO 80011-8248
(303) 831-7023
ejscardin@comcast.net
http://www.newbeginningsdwcf.org/
Prisoners of Hope - Appleton, MN, 2002
Prisoners of Hope, an ELCA congregation, is currently inactive as a result of the closure of the prison in which it flourished. The Associate Council is has plans to re-establish the congregation as soon as the prison reopens in late 2011 or 2012.
Prisoners of Hope
PO Box 96
Appleton, MN 56208
prisonersofhope@mchsi.com
Prison Lighthouse Fellowship - Sioux Falls, SD, 2003
Prison Lighthouse Fellowship is a congregation of the General Baptist Conference, which worships in the Jamison Annex of the SD State Penitentiary. The men of this congregation are led by Rev. Regan Beauchamp.
Rev. Regan Beauchamp
45794 266th St.
Humboldt, SD 57035
(605)363-3784
prisonchurch@svtv.com
Cornerstone Prison Church - Sioux Falls, SD, 2005
Cornerstone Prison Church is a Christian Reformed congregation in the SD State Penitentiary. The men of this congregation are served by Rev. Steve Moerman, who has been instrumental in spreading the PCA model among his peers in other states.
Rev. Steve Moerman
Box 36
Worthing, SD 57077
cpccrc@yahoo.com
Living Stones Prison Congregation - Shelton, WA, 2006
Living Stones is an ELCA congregation offering worship and programming for the men in the prison in Shelton.
Pr. Eric Wangen-Hoch
Chapel @ WCC
PO Box 900
Shelton, WA 98584
(360)426-4433 ext. 5513
pastoreric@hotmail.com or ejwangenhoch@DOC1.WA.GOV
www.livingstonesprisoncongregation.com
Women at the Well - Mitchellville, IA, 2006
Women at the Well, in the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women, is a vibrant congregation of the United Methodist Church led by Rev. Lee Schott.
Rev. Lee Schott
PO Box 93241
Des Moines, IA 50393
Office: (515) 822-4599
Prison Office: (515) 967-4236
womenatthewell@iaumc.org
Luther Luckett Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - LaGrange, KY, 2008
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) started Luther Luckett Christian Church in the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex. Pastor Dean Bucalos and the Associate Council have not only provided worship opportunities and spiritual guidance, but have also offered a series of life skill classes for the men in this facility.
Pr. Dean Bucalos
PO Box 99852
Jeffersontown, KY 40269
(502)459-4282
dbucalos@yahoo.com
www.luckettprisonministry.com
Celebration Fellowship - Ionia, MI, 2008
Celebration Fellowship is the second PCA congregation of the Christian Reformed Church. Rev. Rich Rienstra has a strong leadership team among the men inside the Ionia Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, which is complemented by volunteer members on the outside.
Pr. Andy Hanson
3835 Burton St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 826-0830
pastorandyhanson@gmail.com
http://www.celebrationfellowshipcrc.com
Grace Place - Memphis,TN, 2010
Grace Place is a ministry of the United Methodist Church serving the women of the Mark Luttrell Correctional Center. Their pastor, Rev. Diane Harrison, has been the inspiration behind a variety of programs including worship, Bible study, book club, prayer shawl ministry and exercise class.
Grace Place Ministries
Rev. Diane Harrison
6050 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN 38134
(901)386-2212
graceplacemin@aol.com
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St. Francis of Assisi Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – Draper, UT, 2011
This congregation, made up primarily of women inmates at the Utah State Prison, calls itself “A Ministry of Encouragement.” The members of the congregation are growing in Christ by doing evangelism, worship, and a crochet ministry, all the while seeking to live out Matthew 25: 31-40.
Rev. Charles Hines
PO Box 571737 Murray, UT 84157-1737
(801)268-0459
hinescharles@yahoo.com
www.stfrancischristianchurch.com
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New Life Prison Community – Newton, IA, 2011
New Life Prison Community is lead by Pr. Rick and Rose Admiraal, under the auspices of the Christian Reformed Church. New Life is busy with Bible study and prayer groups and monthly worship. Check out Pastor Rick's blog - it's amazing!
Pastor Rick Admiraal
408 Maple Street, Pella, IA 50219
(641) 204-1954
Email: PastorRick@newlfe-prison.org
Blog: www.newlifeprisonchurch.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewLifePrisonCommunity
Congregations In Development
Freedom in Christ Prison Ministry Project, Deer Lodge, MT
Freedom in Christ, an effort of the ELCA, is led by a Steering Committee in Montana, who are currently in the call process for the first pastor of this congregation.
\Website: http://www.ficprisonministry.com
Email: Freedominchrist2011@live.com
The Living Stone Prison Church, Springfield, SD
Pastor Jason Wiersma, through the Reformed Church in America, is working to start a congregation in the Mike Durfee State Prison.
Email: jrwiersma@yahoo.com
