Lessons Learned In Prison

December 19, 2011

“So your ministry is called Connecting Extremes?”

“No. We’re called Conne… well… we do connect extremes in some ways!” It was a mistake, but an accurate one. “Connecting Streams takes the under-alive church to the broken, hurting and marginalized. When both come together, both come to life.”

Donna Mitchell’s calm and confident voice explains the things she and her staff have been learning in ministry.

We’re learning Kingdom things, not for the first time, but God is telling us to notice this and that. I hope these are encouraging for you in your walk, your ministry.

Life on life – The reality is, transformation comes in community. Volunteers are actually going to the prison to make a difference.

Send people together – Most of our volunteers would never go to a prison alone, but because they go with others, it helps fight fear.

Intentionally Fight Fear – You will never overcome fear in the classroom. All of our volunteers start afraid, and through their faith adventure, overcome fear.

Enemy pushback – People are captive in sin and the enemy is trying to keep us back from sharing our hope.

I was doing a workshop and I told the audience, “you are actually in more danger staying within the four walls of the church than you are stepping out in faith, because of what God will do.” Just before we finished, one woman stood up in the middle of the discussion and declared, “I want you to know I’m in! The Devil is trying to stop me but I’m in.” The ripple effect in that room was like light bulbs starting to go on… She will be leading a group to some of the most troubled young offenders.

Endurance – In the kingdom, perseverance and endurance is a precursor to fruit. In order for our faith to grow and our character to develop, we need to endure. (James 1:4).

Prayer – It quickly becomes obvious that you need to pray. We are working on permeating the whole organization with prayer and encouraging every volunteer to be backed by prayer.

Partnerships – Our volunteers are having an increased heart for post-prison ministry. We’re going to be inviting chaplains, volunteers and inmates to partner in offering support for the inmates after they leave prison and consequently open a whole new world for volunteers and churches.

Problems – I don’t like problems. But when I think of how I’ve grown over the last 6 years, it’s been through problems. If you experience problems, God might be using them to develop your skills as a leader.  Leaders under you will develop through problems as well.

Power – God has the power to change lives. You can see the change in their life so clearly, it’s as if inmates are under a microscope:

One inmate has changed so completely, one of the guards cried seeing her in church. She calms down agitated inmates, teaches inmates in the Word, and sometimes leads the small group! When volunteers get a front row seat to that kind of power, they become more bold in their own life. I can see them rejoice in the parking lot after inmates get saved!

God is at work. Pray. Persevere. God will come in His time. Pray that we could continue learning and taking these bold faith steps to advance His Kingdom in the darkest of places.

Donna Mitchell is passionate about calling women to follow Jesus and empowering them to take steps of faith to share His love. Upon graduating from Seminary, Donna served as Pastor of Women’s Ministries for 11 years and is now the Director of Connecting Streams Women’s Ministry, a ministry of Power to Change, Canada. She lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband Allan and has three grown step-sons. Check out www.connectingstreams.com

One Response to “Lessons Learned In Prison”

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• Corinne Yuzek says:

  August 12, 2015 at 10:46 am

  Donna, So neat to hear the powerful testimonies on this great website and see how God continues to use and bless you.
  I have recently moved to the Winnipeg area from Calgary. God called we obeyed. We don’t know why we are here other than to bless our son, Andrew. (He’s a godly man, wonderful husband and father of 4.) I am applying for work and wondered if I could use you as a reference. Blessings!