Is Jesus calling you to minister in jail?
"I was in prison, and you came to Me." Matthew 25:36
MEC is a non-denominational evangelical ministry which has been sharing "the gospel" in jails since 1983. We have established a relationship with the correctional systems (jails) in Anoka, Chisago, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, McLeod, Meeker, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Roseau, Scott, and Washington Counties, along with some private jails. In these facilities we provide worship services, Bible studies, individual Christian counseling, and outreach activities through the efforts of a variety of different "Bible believing" local church groups and dedicated volunteers. Parenting, Anger Resolution and Victory over Addictions classes are options in some jails. We minister to males, females, adults and juveniles. Before release we try to direct them into a local church. In many jails we are able to provide general resources and in two of them we have a direct reentry program.
To get a better idea of our mission please read our 2009 Mission Report and Volunteer Testimonies.
Please
join our team to help us support MEC!
We're working with the Rotary Club of Forest Lake and raise funds for MEC through the Rotary’s fundraiser Winter Plunge — Gettin' Cold for a Cause.
We will be (at least some of us will be) jumping into frosty, frigid, frozen Forest Lake in February to raise funds for our organizations. The Plunge is on February 18, 2012 at the Lakeside Beach in Forest Lake. The time is still TBD; we will update the time when we receive more details. For more details see www.forestlakerotary.org.
If you are interested in becoming a Plunger, please go to the official Winter Plunge website: www.winterplunge.kintera.org. You can register there, pledge there, join our team and start raising pledges!
If you dislike cold water and would instead like to pledge for our team, please visit our website at http://tinyurl.com/7653ldt to make a donation.
Please consider joining our team and supporting our organization in this unique and cold way to raise funds!
Thanks so much for considering this opportunity!
MEC's Five-fold Mission
- To preach the Gospel to those in corrections
- To disciple those in Corrections who have received Christ
- To assist released inmates find Christian fellowship in their home community
- To provide ministry opportunities for local churches and believers to share the gospel in corrections.
- To provide inmates with Bibles.
What Can You Do?
- Minister in a jail
If you have a ‘heart for the lost’ MEC is looking for men and women who desire to share God’s love with men women or youth in church or Bible studies, Christian Movie Nights, individual spiritual counseling or other ways. - Prayer
MEC is dependent on the prayers of our supporters. We send a monthly newsletter to those willing to pray for us, and have an intercession letter for specific needs. - Welcome a released inmate to your church
Released inmates desperately need Christian fellowship. If you would like your church name and phone given out to inmates who ask for information about churches in their home areas please fill this our referral form (PDF version) (Word version). - Support MEC financially
- Office assistance
Assist with mailings, data entry and other necessary tasks. - Administrative support
Oversee Bible distribution, coordinate or provide holiday activities, secure and distribute donations such as books or conference tickets for recently released inmates growing in their faith.
The Impact of MEC
The gospel became more real to me when I saw what people's lives were like that did not know Christ. No short amount of words can describe praying with an inmate when they find they have 15 years of prison ahead, a parent is ill or has died while they are incarcerated, or that they will be losing their children.
The following comments reflect Christ’s work here:
- “Finally,” one young woman sighed, “I have forgiven my father. It is such a relief.”
- “I have been thinking seriously about what the man said. My fiancé and I really need to get our lives together. My children (ages one and two) need a better life.” She then made plans to check into a Christian rehabilitation program.
- “I was going to kill myself, and my roommate recommended I at least try the Bible study first." County jail, prison and three years of freedom are gifts. He works and shares his story in churches.
- One of the guards let us know that his day would be better because of the inmates having met for Bible study.
Pray for us, to walk worthy of the calling, with lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, love, unity and peace. (Eph. 4 1-3)
Saul and Karen