Free in Christ jail ministry
Our vision for this ministry is to bring Jesus to the imprisoned. Our heart is to be the hands and feet of Jesus while men and women are incarcerated as well as when they are no longer behind prison walls. We are seeking the Lord's direction in how to go about doing this. The needs of inmates once they are released are many. We hope one day, through collaboration of several area churches and community involvement, to be equipped to meet those needs.
If you attend Christ Fellowship and are currently involved in jail/prison or after care ministry, would you let us know? We know there are many who serve in some area to the imprisoned and we would like to support you and connect with you.
If you are interested in getting involved in this ministry, please contact Kristin at or 972.863.2951.
Mercy Heart
Mercy Heart ministers to the families of the incarcerated and former inmates. We provide support, encouragement and a safe place to share.
We meet bi-weekly during the summer and weekly during the school year, Fridays, 6:30–8:30 pm. We enjoy food, fellowship and teaching for the entire family in a large group setting 6:30–7:30 pm in Room 107, then we break out into small groups 7:30–8:30 pm.
Childcare for children ages 0–Kindergarten is provided. Small groups for 1st grade and above.
To join the Mercy Heart team, please contact Kristin at or 972.863.2951.
A volunteer's story
So many sad eyes. Such drawn faces. A room where all hope is sucked from its very pores. A room devoid of color with drawn blinds and a sign reminding: “INMATES: It is a jail violation to touch the blinds!” But when we push open the heavy medal door those same faces brighten with joy as my Celebrate Recovery co-facilitators and I walk into the room for our weekly time together.
We’re not allowed to hug, but Mary * grabs my hand and says, “Miss Shari, I have a grand jury appearance tomorrow. I’m so scared I’ll be indicted. Will you pray for me?”
Lorie doesn’t ask for any prayers for herself but rather for her children. “They don’t understand why I’m gone, and I don’t know what to tell them. My two-year-old was just diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. My mom says he cries himself to sleep every night. How do I explain why I’m in jail and can’t be there to give him his four daily shots?”
From Mackenzie: “I’ll only be here another couple of weeks, Miss Shari. I was indicted yesterday. 10 years in state prison. I know I deserve it but I’m so afraid.”
“I got your letter yesterday. Will you please write me again? You don’t know how much it means to hear my name at mail call. Actually, you’re the only one who writes me,” says Lisa.
Lacy is on her third time in jail; but she says, “I think I finally get it this time. I’m determined to conquer my demon while I’m inside. But when I get back out into the free world … well, I don’t have anywhere to go. And all my friends are as bad off as I am. Miss Shari, what should I do? Where do I go?”
Twenty-two-year-old Amanda knows she will lose her three children to CPS if she’s not released, lands a job and rents an apartment within the next two months. But most apartments don’t rent to ex-offenders, and those who do are populated with drug dealers and users – the very people who must be avoided by an ex-user. Hardly a place for young children. And how many employers will hire an ex-felon and pay them a livable wage?
And from Heather: “If I can help one other woman to avoid losing her children, the last 15 years will have been worth the hell I’ve lived and the hell I’ve put my kids and family through.” Heather is only 30.
These are but a few of the heartaches we hear each week in the Collin County Detention Center. Most of society considers these people throw-aways, people who get what they deserve. We consider them our friends, men and women who made bad choices for which they pay dearly. When a mind and body gets clean and sober, reality sets in and mistakes haunt the long days and even longer nights. You see, it’s never quiet in jail. Sleep is disrupted with the constant babble in the pod. Tension is thick and mayhem is just a wrong look away.
Some of these people have walked with the Lord at various times in life but have taken wrong turns and deceptive paths. Others have come to hear of Jesus and His grace and forgiveness for the first time since being incarcerated. When we hear someone say, “It’s been worth it to me to be locked up so I could meet Jesus,” our hearts are humbled and blessed. For those of us who serve in prison ministry, it’s not uncommon to be asked: “Why would anyone want to do that?” But our reply is: “How can we not?”
And the needs don’t stop when a prisoner is released. The needs have only just begun. You can make a difference in an inmate’s and ex-inmate’s life, please contact us at
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of these brothers [or sisters] of mine, you did for me.’”
Shari Buie
July 2012
*All names have been changed.
Training Videos
We hope these help you work with others who are dealing with some of the following issues, whether in this ministry or in life. Enjoy!
Abuse
Addiction
Mentoring
Poverty, Part 1
Poverty, Part 2
For information as to how you can join in this growing ministry contact Kristin at
or 972.863.2951.