Prison Ministry Goes High Tech

Written by: Robert Andrescik on December 11, 2008

Since Northland began webcasting its services in 2006, online worshipers have reported bringing the church into some very unusual places: offices, coffee shops, military bases … even a Burger King restaurant.

This month, Northland brought webstream worship to a place that is literally cut off from the rest of the world: John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford, Florida.

Armed with a computer, projector and sound system, a small team of volunteers held the inaugural service on December 7, which was attended by more than 50 men. The response?

“Most men seemed to be happy to see us,” explains Greg Harrington, the volunteer team leader for the outreach. “They saw our computer, projector and sound system, and heard the pre-service music playing from the webstream … they started asking all sorts of questions: ‘Is this live?’ ‘Can my wife and kids watch this from home?’ ‘Are we on TV?’

“On the flip side, some of the men were obviously not so happy to be there-staring at the floor as they came through the door, hesitant to shake our hands, fidgeting in their seats.”

But as the service began the men came alive, listening and connecting in worship. Most of them sang along … some with lifted hands. “It was a beautiful sight to see,” Greg remembers.

Then came the message from Northland’s senior pastor, Dr. Joel C. Hunter, on Isaiah 7:10-14. “You should have seen the light in the eyes of the men when Pastor Joel spoke of us ‘being so immersed in our own problems that we fail to see our own significance in the eyes of God.’  We heard some good, solid ‘amen’s’ from the guys.  It was truly awe-inspiring.”

The team learned just how deeply the men were connecting with the sermon when a technical glitch delayed the service temporarily. Gretchen Kerr, Northland’s director of local service, remembers: “The system froze, and the group sighed and verbalized that they did not want to miss anything that Dr. Hunter was saying.”

She adds, “It was moving to see these men weeping and sobbing as they confessed their sins quietly prior to communion. Men that entered the room with hopelessness and a lack of joy were now talking with each other, discussing how they can watch one another’s backs. I had one man tell me this was the most joyful experience he has had in a very long time.”

Volunteers spent about 40 minutes with the men following the service, praying and talking about the various options available for them to work with a mentor who would walk alongside of them, and inviting them to worship again next week.

The outreach was a rewarding experience, not just for the inmates, but for those who volunteered that day.

“It wasn’t something I had ever envisioned myself ever doing,” explains Kim Hulme, who volunteered along with her husband, Bill. “But it was an amazing experience and one I look forward to having again! The experience has left me fully energized and inspired in every aspect of my life.”

There are many opportunities to serve the men at John E. Polk Correctional Facility. You can help with Sunday morning webcasts. You can also work one-on-one with the men to help them develop plans for their future after they are released; those opportunities will be on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, or Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. To learn more, contact Greg Harrington (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 407-927-4137). Couples are encouraged to participate!

If you are interested in serving women in prison, a team is being developed to serve at the 33rd Street jail in Orange County. Several opportunities exist: assisting with the Celebrate Recovery program, mentoring and administrative work. If you’re interested, please contact Mary Ann Mannen (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 407-913-4777).