For Immediate Release
11/29/2017
Christmas Season at Wilkes Correctional Center
11/29/2017
Christmas Season at Wilkes Correctional Center
As we enter the Christmas season, Wilkes Prison Ministry is busily putting gift packages together for inmates. There will be sacks for each of the 268 men housed at the North Wilkesboro facility and a few extra for new arrivals that come shortly after Christmas. The much anticipated gift bags include toiletries such as deodorant, soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, shampoo and shavers and assorted candies. There are also cards for each inmate and Bibles are offered to those who will accept them. The gift bags will be distributed on December 21st following a Christmas meal, also provided by Wilkes Prison Ministry. The distribution will be followed by a worship experience led by Yokefellow. Yokefellow provides a worship experience every Thursday evening at Wilkes Correctional Center.
The Thursday Yokefellow worship is one of twelve weekly services organized by Wilkes Prison Ministry. Services range from a Wednesday morning Prayer and Share meeting to twice weekly Movie and a Message and numerous services led by local preachers, musicians and teachers.
The ministry’s chaplain, Rev. Larry Ford, emphasized the importance of the Christmas project as he discussed the work of the ministry. He said, “This is a great opportunity to show true Christian love to these men. That’s the major emphasis of our ministry. Most of our inmates are nearing the end of their prison sentences and we want them to enter society as men who have been sincerely changed. We know that God’s love is the most transforming force in the world.”
In the 2017 calendar year, 29 men have been baptized at Wilkes Correctional Center and many more have made changes in their behavior.
Wilkes Prison Ministry has affected thousands of lives over more than a decade. It is run by a volunteer board, comprised of local men and women. Additionally, over 100 people volunteer in their programs and services.
Ford stated, “The men here are not experiencing “jailhouse religion” for some special privileges or sentence reductions. They have already served most of their time and are close to release. I’m convinced that their faith experiences are mostly sincere. I’ve often said that lots of people find the Cross at the end of their rope.”
Wilkes Prison Ministry also operates a Transition House, where they host up to four recently released men at a time. Transition House Committee Chairman, Mark Church, commented, “The Transition House is an important part of our ministry. These guys have already been released and we want to help them transition into the best men they can be. We firmly believe that the best way to do that is through the power of Jesus Christ.”
Ministry Chairman Roy Williamson said, “The Christmas bag ministry provides us with a way to reach the men who don’t usually visit the chapel. For many of these men, it’s the only Christmas gifts they will get. It’s always a wonderful experience to be able to share the joy of Christmas.”
Wilkes Prison Ministry’s website is www.wilkesprisonministry.org.
Donations can be sent to Wilkes Prison Ministry, PO Box 253, N Wilkesboro, NC 28659.