Some of the early photos of “FPF” in Peru, with brothers whom we had helped to get out of prison. Even though some who were part of FPF along the decades have already passed on to be with the Lord, we keep in touch as a fraternity over the years and across countries and continents. It is easier now than ever before, thanks to the developments in communication technology.

Just as there are so many associations and fellowships of Christian businesspeople, students, truckers, bikers, pilots, military veterans, police, surfers, housewives, medical doctors, lawyers and who else, i.e. people who are joined together by similar backgrounds and interests or for a common purpose, the same goes for Christian prisoners, ex-prisoners, family members and anyone who cares for them.

However, there are hardly any fellowships of (ex-) prisoners. There may be some by name, but upon closer look, you will not find many ‘real’ prisoners or ex-cons in them. Especially not in leadership. Why is that? There might be several possible explanations. Some prison ministries have become huge organizations with big budgets and are now run entirely by professionals who make a living out of it. Another answer is, once you get out of prison, you don’t really want to be reminded about that period in your life and certainly not make it public. It could cost you your job or your family, and many of us have had to start all over in life again. Contrary to all those other fellowship groups, there is a negative stigma attached for having been in prison, like an invisible label stuck on you which says “I was wrong” or similar.

While it could bother you to let people know about your past and perhaps you can even manage to conceal it – despite ‘Google’ and all the curious internet social media – it’s still a fact of your life. Especially if you had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, you’d want to share things with someone who would not be shocked after hearing it, but who may have had a similar experience in a different setting.

Nevertheless, there are many stories about prisoners in the Bible.

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament (Genesis chapters 37-50) is one of the most inspiring testimonies of how God works out everything for good if you trust Him; but Joseph is also the first prison inmate mentioned in the Bible, and a foreign prisoner too, for that matter. He developed remarkably both as a slave and then in prison in a foreign country, from having been a spoiled kid to excel under whatever circumstances, until his unexpected release and promotion to a top government position, where through his visionary leadership and administrative skills he saved his family and nation. Joseph trusted God, who led him through all his ordeals and who worked it out for good in the end.

Even the entire nation of Israel was taken into captivity several times in history, always to foreign lands. Nevertheless, God always delivered them and in the end, restored them to their country.

The cross, the very symbol of Christianity, is actually a criminal justice symbol from antiquity. Our Lord Jesus Christ died as a prisoner, (wrongly) convicted to death on a rugged cross. The very last person He would speak to was a fellow convict on the cross next to Him, to whom He affirmed: “Truly I tell you, today you will be in paradise with me” (Luke 23:43). In fact, the so-called “good thief” is the only person confirmed by the Bible and by Jesus himself as a saint—that is, a person known to be in paradise after death.

Helping each other understand salvation and find our God-given purpose in life is another objective of “The Fellowship”. Under Finding Hope (link) you can study helpful materials.

More purposes for The Fellowship:

• To have a group with similar experiences to belong to and to share testimonies, challenges, and successes.
• To pray for each other, for their families, for crime victims, for the world, for evangelism, discipleship and equipping for service.
• To find a purpose in life, a vocation, a job, a business, a mission.
• To volunteer to share own experiences and knowledge, with the aim of helping others make sense of their incarceration, develop a positive outlook on their lives and hope and motivation for the future.
• In the opposite direction, such testimonies of God’s grace can change the world even from the inside to the outside.
• Even if you have never been in prison, you can be role a model to those whose lives have been complicated for lack of good examples in their original families. Getting involved with your experiences and resources can really make a different in people’s lives.

Would you like to be part of THE FELLOWSHIP? Get in touch! 

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