Purposes and Goals

• To place committed men and women in prisons and jails as full-time and volunteer chaplains throughout the world.
• To give these chaplains training and support as well as resources, so they may faithfully lead the incarcerated and staff personnel to Christ under the most adverse circumstances.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate and seminary training as required by the hiring institution/state.
• Experience in a jail or prison ministry, with appropriate supervision.
• Commitment to his/her denomination.

Prison ministries in the Church of God began as an outreach of the local church. Pastors and lay leaders carried out their prison and jail ministries in conducting worship, holding Bible studies and one-on-one counselling. Many of these who started out as volunteers, are now working as full-time chaplains. The best way to test one's calling to this specialized ministry is to work for a period as a volunteer chaplain through the many programs offered by the Church of God Chaplains Commission and the Evangelism and Home Missions Department.

Courses Offered

The following classes are offered to prison, jail and custodial facilities for basic and advanced training for Correctional Chaplains, Prison Volunteers and Correction Officer Trainees. The classes can be taught as a block module or individually, as needed. Total class time required is a minimum of ten (10) classroom hours.

• Code of Ethics
• Orientation to Prison Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services
• Qualifications and Qualities of the Prison, Jail, and Custodial Chaplain
• Understanding Prison and Jail Operations
• The Prison Chaplain’s Ultimate Responsibility
• Responsibilities and Liabilities of the Volunteer staff
• Relationships with Inmates, Staff, and Administration

Testimonies

• Long-term Prison Chaplain Frank Vlock writes, "A large number of our inmates are addicted to alcohol and hard drugs. In addition to being a pastor, ministers entering this profession must have professional skills in dealing with these and other complex problems of the inmates."
• Several Church of God chaplains have ministered to inmates awaiting execution, as well as their family members. Chaplain Padgett writes, "Nothing touches me more deeply than walking with an inmate, many who have given their hearts to the Lord, during the last few hours leading up to their execution. I feel as if God allows me, at that moment, to literally enter the soul of another person, feeling their pain, but also rejoicing in the hope they discovered through Jesus Christ.
• Prison Chaplain Wigelsworth writes, "I know I am called to this special ministry. It tugs at my heart and I have to be with these dear people as they experience years of incarceration. Some of my most meaningful work centers around individuals so cynical and so angry that only a miracle redeems them from these self-destructive attitudes. I have seen God take the hardest criminal and turn him into a tender, loving Christian. While the chaplain sees the worst in people, he also experiences the very best!"
• Chaplain Don Yancey, Arkansas, worked with the local community and churches in raising funds to build a beautiful chapel at his facility. During the dedication, one of the inmates stated, "This is my lighthouse-without it, I would still be in darkness, and there would be no hope. God has given to me a new reason for existing, even behind these bars."