July, 2008
Dear Ministry Partners:
Because you receive messages from us, you are aware of our presence. Some of our collaborating friends may not know the many facets of this ministry. We began doing just one thing. That was attempting to network people who were doing jail and prison ministry. It was 15 years ago that we began just after I retired from my role as Director of Chaplains for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Now RJMN orchestrates a symphony of care and encouragement by serving as the network hub for over 60,000 individuals, ministries, and churches in
Our Mission Statement is: "Networking with individuals and organizations to collaborate in creating and implementing Biblical solutions to the Criminal Justice field."
1. First Contact Family Ministry: Teams of Volunteers minister to families who come to pick up their loved ones during the time they are waiting for the release to occur. They distribute printed materials designed to assist families during their loved one's transition period and furnish friendly conversation as well as general information.
2. Welcome Back Prison Ministry: Volunteer Teams enter Texas Prisons and State Jails and do a "Welcome Back" Program where they distribute to releasing prisoners written material regarding the upcoming transition and contact information for social service agencies and churches back home. They also obtain contact information from the prisoners who wish to give it and email it to a church back home.
3. Welcome Back Neighborhood Ministry: The information regarding a prisoner who is requesting assistance is sent to an individual or organization of volunteers back home so that they may welcome back this Previously Incarcerated Person. This impacts the PIP's world view. When they are leaving prison most feel they are not appreciated by anyone in their neighborhood and return with overriding negative feelings. This welcome by a church person begins the process of changing that negative view.
4. First Contact Bus Station Ministry: Bill Kleiber coordinates with volunteers, local business owners and correctional professionals to greet and assist the PIPs as they attempt to negotiate the issues that arise in public transportation. He is often the first civilian to have conversation with the released prisoners. Many have been locked up so long that they cannot use the telephone nor accurately read a bus ticket.
5. RJMN TeleCare Network: Dozens of calls each day come from PIPs. Before release from prison, each was given the toll-free telephone number to our office in
Despite barriers to reentry, we network with thousands of individuals from all faiths and nationalities to help people heal and become productive citizens. If you know any individual or family who has been touched by incarceration, please have them call our
6. Life Groups and Special Needs Ministries: Pretty much on a daily basis RJMN is contacted by individuals seeking to connect with God's people. RJMN initiates and supports connecting people of Faith to other people of Faith. This includes coordinating one-on-one ministries to "lock-ins." These are individuals who are on parole, on electronic-leg monitors, or registered as former sex-offenders and are prohibited from attending organized worship services on weekends.
7. Conferencing Volunteers: For 15 years RJMN has provided conferences for volunteers who are interested in working in the justice arena. Each year we sponsor 6 or 7 city wide Restorative Justice Ministry Conferences. If you are interested in one coming to your area, Anita will be glad to start planning with you for one in 2009.
Now that you have an overview of our ministry: I want to ask your assistance. We are in need of churches to include us in their Missions Budget. We also know that is not likely to happen without a person of that congregation who will become a Champion for us. My request to you is that if possible please become that person for us in your church. Budget planning is beginning soon in most churches. This is Kingdom Ministry. If we are to continue it, we need support from churches which are interested in ministering to the hurting and disenfranchised. We minister to such people everyday on behalf of Christ's Church. We will furnish a full report to any church who becomes a contributing sponsor, so that they know how we spent God's money which they sent our way.
Thank you for reading this far and for your assistance in this matter. I assure you that your help will indeed make a difference to some hurting person in your community. If you have any questions, please call me.
Grace and Peace,