HOPE Prison Ministry Conference Focuses— Good News for the Incarcerated

by PAUL SCHREIBER

This year’s Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA)

Summit was held May 18-20, at Wheaton College, Illinois. With HOPE for the incarcerated as its theme, it took inspiration in Paul’s letter to the Romans: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

Attending was Suzie Sallee, LHM’s community facilitator, congregations. She worked a display table that saw attendees eager for information to bless and support those behind bars and their friends and families back home. Several of LHM’s Project Connect booklets were distributed. Among them were Loved … And Not Forgotten, Comebacks, The Great Deceiver, and Regrets, Reality, Restoration.

“We offered LHM resources to chaplains and volunteers who work in prisons and jails directly with inmates and with those who work with inmates re-entering civilian life,” Sallee said. “Chaplains in particular are very grateful for The Journey Home, written by Rev. Leroy Johnson. It is a 12-lesson Bible study booklet developed specifically for the incarcerated and based on Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son,” she added.

Along with LCMS prison Chaplain Paul Weber, volunteers Pastor Bob Bartel, Greg Krug, and Gary Loss help teach The Journey