United States (MNN) — Have you ever considered going to seminary? You can imagine the work that would await you to set aside hours per week, invest in study materials, go through the rigor of learning, discussing, and completing assignments. But you have a goal in mind: training that will help you bring people closer to Jesus Christ.
Many Christians who are incarcerated in the United States have that same goal, wanting to serve God, but they have different obstacles. Perhaps distractions and busyness are less of a barrier, but what about access to traditional seminary programs? What about their eligibility for accredited programs, which require a high school diploma or GED? What about library access? Tutoring help? Discussion groups?
This gap between prison inmates and Christian higher education is one that Prisoners for Christ (PFC) and other ministries like it have gladly stepped into. Because of their work, Christians incarcerated in certain United States prisons can pursue seminary right where they are. Here’s a closer look.
Equipping “the inside church”
Dee Peterson with Washington state-based Prisoners for Christ explains that their team of staff and volunteers serves in connection with The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI).
“The goal of TUMI in the prison environment is to provide the quality, seminary-level coursework to equip and strengthen Christian ministry leaders for the inside church and also the community as a returning citizen,” Peterson says. She uses the term “inside church” to refer to Christians living within prison walls as the Body of Christ.
For incarcerated Christians, their fellow inmates are their mission field.
(Stock photo courtesy Pixabay)
“I really think that [building up of leaders for the inside church] is where our focus needs to be, because they, as ‘indigenous’ leaders, really [have] a connection to that prison culture, to be able to relate and know the social systems and the behaviors and values [there],” says Peterson.
TUMI’s capstone curriculum covers four core areas: biblical studies, theology and ethics, Christian ministry, and urban mission. It can take up to four years to complete the 16 modules, depending on the prison.
Peterson also notes that TUMI is not an accredited program — deliberately. This fact removes another barrier for many inmates.
“Education is such an important factor to consider when someone is affected by incarceration and what their future is going to look like,” she says. “On average, of all the federal and state inmates, only 41% have earned a high school diploma or GED. So it is a prevalent issue.”
One inmate’s story
Not only do seminary-level courses help inmates better understand and teach faith in Christ, but it also helps them prepare for life after their prison sentence is over.
(Stock photo of Mongolian man courtesy of IMB)
“Since 90% of all state and federal incarcerated individuals will eventually be released, this program is vital,” Peterson says.
One U.S. inmate that the Prisoners for Christ team served actually came from Mongolia. His studies while incarcerated changed his life. After he was released in 2017, he returned to his home country, where PFC president Greg Von Tobel says, “He has turned into a godly Christian leader within the communities of Mongolia. He’s been recognized for his leadership.”
He stayed in contact with one of his TUMI mentors from Prisoners for Christ through Facebook. Later, he reached out to the PFC team to thank God:
“I have been thinking and praying, and I really feel like I need to be part of PFC. Just looking back at my life and what I’ve been through humbles me. It humbles me that I have grown so much and I have learned so much, especially through TUMI. Before TUMI, I was just a Christian — like, just the basics. But through TUMI, God has stretched my faith, matured me, and made me an active follower for Christ. I still have all of the TUMI books, and often read my ministry project papers I did for all of the TUMI modules. I still have everything, and reading through it, I can see my growth in the Lord. I can’t thank God enough for your ministry and how it has affected me and helped shape me into the person that I am today.”
Find your place in the story
Seminary training for prison inmates doesn’t happen without people and resources. At Prisoners for Christ, TUMI courses and other outreach programs are facilitated by volunteers just like you.
(Photo courtesy of Hannah Busing via Unsplash)
“There’s 1200-1500 prisons all across our country, and there’s only a small percentage of those that have [adopted] the TUMI culture and schooling within their system of education,” says Von Tobel. “There is a whole mission field yet to be tapped with regards to TUMI.”
If you have a heart to help equip fellow Christians in prison, would you consider getting involved? Prisoners for Christ is one ministry that offers support each step of the way. Even if Washington State isn’t your home, there are other ways to serve with PFC, such as being pen pals. (More on that here.)
“We never send in anyone without being trained and equipped to know what to do or what to expect,” says Peterson.
Connect with PFC through their volunteer application at prisonersforchrist.org where you’ll also find resources for chaplains, inmates, and inmates’ families.
Header photo courtesy of Ben White via Unsplash.
