Happy 50th, Prison Fellowship

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Fifty years ago, Chuck Colson founded an organization that God has used to change the lives of millions of men, women and children across the globe. The story of Prison Fellowship Ministries had an unlikely beginning.  

Charles W. “Chuck” Colson, known at the time as President Nixon’s “hatchet man,” was a new Christian when he was serving prison time for a Watergate-related offense. His faith was tested behind bars, but he was sustained by the unwavering support of his wife, Patty, and many new Christian friends on the outside. He focused his energy on ministering to his fellow inmates. 

Near the end of his time in prison, a large prisoner named Archie confronted him. “Hey, Colson,” he snarled, “You’ll be out of here soon. What are you going to do for us?” 

Chuck said, “I’ll help in some way. I’ll never forget you guys or this stinking place.” 

“Bull!” Archie yelled back, “I’ve seen big shots like you come and go. They all say the same things while they’re inside. Then they get out and forget us fast. There ain’t nobody cares about us. Nobody!” 

And that’s what did it. Or better said, that’s how God did it. Chuck Colson launched what would become the world's largest prison ministry because someone told him he wouldn’t. On August 9, 1976, Chuck filed papers to incorporate Prison Fellowship as a non-profit ministry. 

Chuck not only kept his promise to remember those in prison, but he also mobilized thousands of Christian volunteers and churches to do the same. For fifty years, men and women behind bars and their families have heard the Good News of Jesus Christ through Bible studies, seminars and mentoring. Leaders have been trained, children have been remembered, justice has increased, churches have been founded, and lives have been made new in Christ.

Aiming to break the cycle of crime and incarceration, Prison Fellowship has mobilized thousands of churches and volunteers through the ministry of Angel Tree, which delivers Christmas gifts to the children of prisoners in the name of their incarcerated parents. Today, 1 in 28 U.S. children have a parent behind bars, with the majority of those parents being fathers. The Angel Tree program provides gifts to children whose parents are in prison, from their incarcerated parents. This is a way for families to stay connected while also hearing the hope of the Gospel. Angel Tree also provides opportunities for children to go to camp in the summer.  

Chuck also led Prison Fellowship to advocate for biblically based justice reform, to train wardens and prison staff, and to help those who leave prison make a crime-free return to their communities. His work continues to bear fruit. Just a few weeks ago, Joshua J. Smith, deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, praised the longstanding and new work of Prison Fellowship: 

I’ve seen firsthand the impact that ministries like Prison Fellowship have on the inmate population . . . It’s exciting to envision the impact that this expanded partnership with Prison Fellowship will have on the incarcerated and their families. 

Prison Fellowship is an example of the Church being the Church. This ministry has been transformative for thousands through justice reform initiatives, in-prison outreaches and programs, family ministries, warden training and church partnerships.    

In his 36 years of public ministry, Chuck advised presidents, received honorary degrees and won the nation’s highest civilian award. But he often said that the greatest joy in his life was the “living monuments” of God’s grace: prisoners transformed by the love of Jesus Christ. As he said several years ago, looking back on 30 years of his Christian life: 

The truth that is uppermost in my mind today is that God isn’t finished. As long as we’re alive, He’s at work in our lives. We can live lives of obedience in any field because God providentially arranges the circumstances of our lives to achieve His objectives.  

Join Prison Fellowship’s next 50 years of ministry by participating in Angel Tree, praying, donating, or visiting those in prison. Go to PrisonFellowship.org to learn how.

Photo Credit: ©Emiliano Bar/Unsplash

John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and radio host of BreakPoint, a daily national radio program providing thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

BreakPoint is a program of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. BreakPoint commentaries offer incisive content people can't find anywhere else; content that cuts through the fog of relativism and the news cycle with truth and compassion. Founded by Chuck Colson (1931 – 2012) in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. Today, you can get it in written and a variety of audio formats: on the web, the radio, or your favorite podcast app on the go.