Church communities as a whole are not embracing parolees, we shy away and shun them too much. We need to mentor and help them, but it's not a popular ministry---children are so much cuter, innocence and fun. Not to minimize children's ministry in the least. We have too many broken individuals exiting from institutions to free society without enough support. I'm not talking financial support, though that is and will always be a need.
My gardener/handyman is an ex-con. We have had some interesting talks about his crime (caught selling drugs) and not wanting to go back to prison. Other than that crime, he is a good guy. He has a strong sense of ethics. He did the crime and he did the time. That is supposed to wipe the slate clean but too often we choose to leave folks with the criminal tag on them like a scarlet A.
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Church communities as a whole are not embracing parolees, we shy away and shun them too much. We need to mentor and help them, but it's not a popular ministry---children are so much cuter, innocence and fun. Not to minimize children's ministry in the least. We have too many broken individuals exiting from institutions to free society without enough support. I'm not talking financial support, though that is and will always be a need.
I agree with you, Paula. It sounds as if you are involved in prison ministry. I pray that others follow your example!
My gardener/handyman is an ex-con. We have had some interesting talks about his crime (caught selling drugs) and not wanting to go back to prison. Other than that crime, he is a good guy. He has a strong sense of ethics. He did the crime and he did the time. That is supposed to wipe the slate clean but too often we choose to leave folks with the criminal tag on them like a scarlet A.
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