What’s In a Name? By Mary Mortenson, Executive Director, Prison Congregations of America “That’s Mary Seeklander.  She grew up in this church.”  Those were among the sweetest words I heard on a rece…

by Eric Sponheim, former board member Saying “I’ll pray for you” is an often-expressed response to others’ cares and concerns. By itself, the statement may mean a lot or a little. Coming from a poli…

by Rev. Rick Admiraal, pastor of New Life Prison Community, Newton, Iowa A massive youth gathering took place in Houston, Texas from June 27 to July 1.  Even though we're not as young as we used to b…

by Rev. John Harrison, board member As I minister to people who have served their time in prison and are returning to the outside world, the strongest pastoral connections often begin with the hard-n…

Freedom By Mary Mortenson, Director of Prison Congregations of America  I miss my mom. She was born on the 4th of July, and she died in 1984 about ten days after her 70th birthday.  I always assumed…

by Eric Sponheim, former board member “Ordinary Time” is a peculiar church phrase. Formally, it refers to the long series of numbered Sundays after Pentecost. From late May or early June until the A…

by Rev. Paul Stone, pastor of the Church of the Damascus Road, Rockwell City and Fort Dodge, Iowa I am nearly 70 years of age. And I have had a change of heart. For that I thank God. Fifteen years a…

by Rev. Terry Schjang, pastor of New Beginnings Worshiping Community, Denver Women's Correctional Facility  A call came in at 11:20PM, but I didn’t answer it because of the hour and because I didn’t …

“I’ll Pray for You” By Mary Mortenson, Executive Director, PCA  “I’ll pray for you.”  I wonder how many times I’ve said that in the last few months.  How about you?  Does it mean anything? Sometimes…

by Rev. Chris Flohr, PCA Board Chair The first time I learned the meaning of the Greek word karios I did an Aha!  Karios is God’s time and God doesn’t necessarily operate on kronos (also a Greek word…