Effective Reentry Ministry for Ordinary Congregations

an idea of needs and do our best to meet those needs in a one- on-one way. We do not envision building out a reentry ministry. • Our Life Transformation Groups: The Life Transformation Group (LTG) system is a grassroots tool for growth. Through this simple system, the most essential elements of vital spiritual ministry are released to common Christians without the need for specialized training. It taps the disciple’s internal motivation and provides the support needed to grow in the essentials of a spiritual life. The LTG empowers the common Christian to do the uncommon work of reproductive disciple-making. • Life Recovery Groups. This material is a biblically based 12 step program that helps individuals transform their thinking and their lives. • We don’t offer anything that is specifically targeted at reentry— we don’t have the resources for that—but our pen pal ministry is a highlight, our connections with our synod’s ministries are a highlight, as is our ability to provide food, clothing, and some rental assistance, plus hosting multiple anonymous groups. • We are from corrections, formerly incarcerated persons for the most part. We know the culture, the streets, the law, the needs, the losses, the stigma, and the lack of services. We know the aloneness. We know how to “Keep Justice and Do Righteous- ness” as a congregation. We know the PTS effects of incarcer- ation and what to do to rescue our brothers and sisters and heal them so no one stays hurt. We are a sold-out “All to Jesus” church formed by a fellowship of Christian advocates complete- ly dedicated to (because we are from) these populations. And those coming out feel His presence. They are Home with the “Us That We Are, and free indeed.” • Partnership with local housing and support ministries allows us not to duplicate what others are providing. Bible study weekly for returning citizens allows them a “foot in the door” to then experience other blessings of church, such as wider fellowship, benevolence, etc. • When we first started Welcome Home, it was basically a time when returning citizens would just hear me preach and we would occasionally do some praise reports. I believe God want- ed me to change it so we could get right into the mess of where people needed to be healed. So now it’s more of an open floor/ Bible study/small group/Holy Spirit-led time of engagement. Periodically, we have food where we celebrate with families of

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