Angel Tree
Prison Fellowship was founded in 1976 by Chuck Colson. Prison Fellowship partners with local churches across the country to minister to a group that society often scorns and neglects: prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families. PF leads Bible studies, evangelistic events and discipleship groups in prisons. It also has a pen pal ministry that connects a prisoner and a mentor, who serves as an encouragement. Millions of prisoners have met Jesus in prison.
As part of the ministry to families, Angel Tree ministers to the children of incarcerated men and women. It is estimated that 80% of children of people in prison end up in prison themselves, that is why it is so crucial to introduced these young boys and girls to Jesus at a young age and offer them the hope of a better life.
Angel Tree leads a mentoring ministry, a summer camp ministry and a Christmas gift ministry. The Christmas ministry consists of buying a gift to a child on behalf of their parent who is in prison. The family is contacted to find out the needs/requests of the child, usually clothing and a toy and then the churches recruit volunteers to purchase and wrap these gifts. Lastly a week before Christmas volunteer drivers deliver the gifts to the children’s homes. All across America millions of children who have a parent in prison know they are remembered and loved.
Steven and I are part of the Angel Tree Leadership Team this year at our church. Shadow Mountain launched Angel Tree 2005 last Sunday with 1000 gifts assigned, all of which were taken between our two services. It was wild to see hundreds of people so eager to give and share. In the coming weeks, we will gather, sort and deliver these gifts to a thousand children in our area.
In Matthew 18:5 Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”
Gifts for Virena, Vanessa, Precious, Cinthia and Darrell
