Ten Reasons To Do Jail Ministry

1. You hear God’s call and finally listen to Him. 
2. You find out that only God should be the judge of others.
3. You learn how to love people who don’t know how to love you back – but they learn. 
4. You have the privilege of being ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ to someone who needs one. 
5. You get to see that ‘child’ grow in faith through God’s grace.
6. You learn that sharing the Gospel is simple - just bring the love of Jesus to those in pain. 
7. God gives you the strength to ‘hang in there’ even when the outcome is not as you planned. 
8. Your prayer list gets longer. 
9. Prisoners will pray for you more than you’ve ever been prayed for in your life.
10. God will bless you in unexpected ways.
11. Because Christ called me 2 it and I have a very strong passion and Burden 4 it. (Letters 4 The Lord Prison Ministry). http://prisonministry.net/Letters

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Readers: I'd love to hear from you! Please share your own benefits/reasons for participating in jail ministry and see how many we can come up with.
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For more information visit: http://TheWomenOfBlock12.com.

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BOOK REVIEW

Kristine McGuire

Book Review ~ The Women of Block 12
June 11, 2011
"I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."Matthew 25:36 (NIV)
The Women of Block 12 by Linda Pischke is an eye-opening view of life in a correctional facility and the people who minister there in Jesus name.
The book is divided into two parts.
The first part details Linda's personal journey as God called her to join the work of a prison ministry. She details her struggles in her own life. Prejudices and reasons why she didn't believe she was suited to work with prisoners. God had other plans. Opportunities were presented to write a prison ministry newsletter. Later she accepted an invitation to conduct a writing class. Through it all, Linda found herself drawn into the lives of women who desperately needed the love of Jesus Christ. Linda gives the reader a look into life inside a prison, bound by the rules and control of the people in charge. She shares the form her ministry took as prisoners cycled in and out of her weekly class. She writes with honest passion for her subject .
The second part are the personal stories of the women themselves. Who they are, their backgrounds, their families. They describe the choices they made which found them in a place of despair. Many of the women were victims of abuse, addicted to drugs or alcohol. They have lives out of control. They are women who want a better life but struggle in finding it. They are human beings deserving of love. These are the stories of real people.
The Women of Block 12 is informative. Facts about women and crime are listed throughout the book. Information is offered on how to get involved.
The Women of Block 12 is a poignant book but not perfect. Minor flaws in the first few chapters make the story a little redundant. The use of Eastern Meditation/Visualization with the women as part of Linda's class troubled me. What is most evident is the fact these women are being loved. This book highlights the importance of reaching out to everyone, especially those in prison.
I recommend buying a copy of The Women of Block 12. I think it would make an excellent book for small groups or Sunday school classes. The book brings a lot of information to light about the prison system, the treatment of prisoners, and our own attitudes which is worthy of discussion.
THANK YOU, KRISTINE!
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To purchase a copy of "The Women of Block 12": http://TheWomenOfBlock12.com.