I just got done writing a 10-page lesson on “You are not alone”. It was sparked by my recent Kairos Weekend at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, CA.

It is interesting that we hide our loneliness. When our team tells the men that they are not alone. we get those looks:    “You don’t know my background”, “you don’t know what I have done”, “no one understands what I am going through”.

Our answer has to be: “WE DON’T KNOW YOUR BACKGROUND”, “WE DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE”, “WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH”.

The only words that I have at that point as I drop my head in embarrassment is: Here is my story. I feel alone.

Suddenly, all eyes turn my way.

Pray for us as we reach out to those in prisons. We want to be real & relevant. We want them to know that Jesus is the leader as we walk down the road toward progress.

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We are Bruce & Liz Leary. We have been involved in prison ministry for several years. It has been our privilege to teach for Southwest College of Biblical Studies, a division of CORR Ministries, Kairos Prison Ministry International, and Prison Fellowship.

We were teaching in prisons until March 2020 when the COVID restrictions were enacted. We have not entered a prison since. However, the Lord suggested to us a “Plan B” during this time.

Upon hearing from some prison chaplains that: 1) their chapel programming was interrupted, and 2) they were having trouble getting Bible study materials (due to COVID), we felt a strong prompting from the Lord to begin creating simple & basic Bible lessons.

For the last two years, we have created lessons, and have emailed them to prison chaplains in California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. 

Other prisons will be added as chaplains respond with their approval & desire to participate.

FINALLY, WHY DO THIS MINISTRY.

1. We cannot physically go into the prisons and teach.

2. We can quickly provide materials without the time and expense of travel, printing, and postage.

3. The study of the Bible changes lives & makes the difference.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness, that the man of God (inmates & us) may become mature, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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1.We love prison inmates because God told us to. Check out 2 Corinthians 5:14. The love of God “constrains us” (puts the squeeze” on us. He puts a love in us that I cannot explain nor get rid of.

2.We love prison inmates because they are no different than we are. I had problems with my dad; I stole things from stores; etc. God loved me through all the years; God loves inmates the same way through all their years.

3.We love prison inmates because there are many prisoners listed in the Bible. Joseph was in jail; Jeremiah was in jail. Neither one of them deserved to be there. God loves prisoners.

4.We love prison inmates because very few out there in the Christian community love them; we get the privilege to represent many people inside the prisons.

5.We love inmates because they love back; they forgive back; they hug back;

6.We love prison inmates because God believes in second chances, and allows us to spread that news to them.

7.We love prison inmates because the writer of Hebrews told us to “remember those in prison”.

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We minister in the prison system. Our main goal is to get the inmates to study the Bible on their own or with the chaplain or his designee. Sometimes the chaplains provide materials for study; sometimes they cannot. We provide study lessons to the chaplains free of charge. The inmates do not need anyone to do our lessons.

This website does three things:

First, it tells you that we are out here doing this; it shows you what our lessons look like.

Second,  it asks for help – your prayer support and your financial support.

Third, it ministers to you.
1) We provide BIBLE LESSONS – yes, for you. Why should the prisoners have all the fun studying the Bible?
2) We have BIBLE VERSE POSTERS which you can read on your computer or print them out for home use.
3) You can find SHEET MUSIC for many of the old hymns; you may print them out for your personal use.
4) You may LISTEN TO MANY HYMNS not heard anymore; a music search engine will find it & play it for you.
5) Check out our collection of MUSIC VIDEOS featuring contemporary & traditional music artists & presentations.
6) You can even look up the MEANING OF YOUR NAME. You may view your name certificate OR print your certificate on paper of your choice at home.

This website is for you; it is our thank you; it is our way to minister to your spiritual needs. PLEASE VISIT IT OFTEN. 

IT IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND FEATURES ARE STILL BEING ADDED.

MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT OUR BLOG BY CLICKING “CONTACT US” TO LET US KNOW HOW WE ARE DOING. WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON OUR ADVENTURES PROVIDING LESSONS TO PRISONERS.

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1. A kid who had a mother and a father, went to school, played baseball down the street, and who laughed and played

2. That same kid had hopes and dreams, had heroes, and who deep down wanted to have that certain job and future

3. Life happens – this little child saw unfortunate things, lived in a violent family, never really got adequate parental attention, seldom saw love in the family. lived in some fear or instability most of the time

SO FAR – IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED ABOVE AND ME (POSSIBLY YOU)?

4. Eventually, that little kid grew into a bigger kid looking for meaning in life; he/she needed approval and support, someone to belong to. Many kids looked to the streets; many times, bad choices were made out in those streets; bad choices are easier to make when your substitute family (your group outside the home) is doing it together. (This is what a kid does).

5. Now, this teenager becomes distant from the family and closely attached to the substitute family. He/she gets in too deep; crime happens (possibly a terrible thing) and the consequences bring them down.

6. THIS KID COULD BE MY FRIEND, MY BASEBALL BUDDY, A CHURCH MEMBER. LET ME SAY – IT COULD BE ME.

But, wait a minute! What about the person who did not act out in the streets; who did not live a life of crime, who did not spend time in  a juvenile facility? (Like I could have been)

1. I could not talk to my parents about my life.
2. I did not like myself.
3. I spent too much time alone and got addicted to things.
4. I never heard “I love you”.
5. I did things I shouldn’t have & I had more and more secrets to hide from others.
6. I became angrier and angrier inside myself.
7. I hurt other people with my hands & with my mouth to prove that I was important and more powerful.
8. I pushed people away unless I needed them.
9. One day, it all exploded; something bad happened; I was arrested.

No, I never was arrested and I never went to prison; but, with the anger and unrest inside me, I was just a step away from prison. Maybe you too? You just never got caught?

Despite the circumstances of these men and women, we love them. Though most are deserving of serving their time, we still love them.

WHAT IS A PRISON INMATE?
A person I can teach, pray with, visit, laugh with, hug, and cry with.
A person who can, through the mistakes, build character to honor God.

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