Fellowship and Prayers at MacDougall Correctional Institution

I had never been inside a prison before, so I must admit, before our group of 13 arrived at MacDougall Correctional Institution on August 12, I was curious how I would feel when the prison doors closed behind me.

We began with lunch as a group at Hwy 27 Smokehouse, a BBQ restaurant in Ridgeville down the street from MacDougall. Upon our arrival at the prison, representatives from Prison Fellowship Ministry (PFM) gave us T-shirts before we cleared security and were escorted to the Prison Chapel.

Along the way to the chapel, men in orange jump suits were smiling at us and thanking us for coming. I expected to be a little apprehensive, but instead, I felt joyful and excited to have the opportunity to meet them. We sang some praise songs with the fathers (and some grandfathers) before we began assisting them in registering their children for the Prison Ministry Fellowship Angel Tree Program, which actually goes beyond Christmas, supporting children with outdoor adventures and STEM and sports camps. After each man completed the registration form, I would ask him if there was anything I could pray for him. Every single man told me his prayer requests and gratefully bowed his head for us to pray together. What a blessing to me to be able to connect our Savior with each man as we prayed!

The men were most appreciative to receive the treat bags (especially the cookies!) as well as to have PFM deliver their children a Christmas gift this year along with a note each prisoner hand wrote during the registration process. It was heartwarming to see them smiling, waving, and repeatedly saying thank you as our group left the chapel.

Many folks in the group that served at my home assembling the treat bags the Saturday before and in this group that visited the prison expressed an interest in finding more ways to serve prisoners in the future; hence, a St. Philip’s Prison Ministry team has been formed! This team will receive email notification of future opportunities to serve prisoners from our homes or within the prisons. If you are interested in joining, please click the link below!