News

Learn more about the development of Christians for Prisoners and read news posts relating to the ministry.

History and purpose

Christians for Prisoners/Prisoners for Christ grew out of a vision that God revealed to Troy Rienstra in early 2003. He saw Christians behind bars being trained to be effective disciples while serving their sentences, and uniting to the church of Jesus Christ though communion (letter-writing, visits, sharing the sacraments, and responsible involvement) before and after release from prison.

The foundation of Christians for Prisoners/Prisoners for Christ is Christ’s commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey” (Matt. 28:19-20). The mission is to build connections between “bond” and “free” groups of followers of Jesus Christ for the purpose of discipleship and building unity.

Message from Troy Rienstra

Our movement, Christians for Prisoners and Prisoners for Christ, was born out of a need for Christian prisoners to live out the disciplined life of a true follower of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to have candidates be mentored and equipped for effectively carrying out evangelical work and church planting during their “tour of duty” within the prison system.

God has created a unique and advantageous opportunity by positioning several men in various prisons who share the same zeal and vision for the increase of the family of God. We’ve all walked through Rick Warren’s “Purpose-Driven Life” – a Christian visiting ministry volunteer at Standish had donated 20 copies of the book to our church.

I’ve had the benefit of reading two excellent books written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was martyred while in prison under the Hitler regime. “Life Together” and “The Cost of Discipleship” read as companions defining the framework for small group fellowship and answering the call of Jesus Christ to follow Him.

In November 2004, I was visited by a four-member delegation of ministers from the Christian Reformed Church. They came to inquire as to how the church could best equip the prison ministry, enhancing the Christian experience for prisoners. Being with these men was a most encouraging confirmation that we have been praying for God’s will. We look forward to the fruitful growth of this relationship.

Our vision is that prisoners will be equipped to become more active in the ministry of the word, that they will be able to observe the sacraments, and that church discipline will help establish integrity and virtue as standards for the prison church.

It is important for the prison church to have an impact within its immediate community. We are called to serve, not to be served, and to minister outwardly by doing all things for the building up of the body of Christ. I challenge and call upon Christians in prison to become faithful in tithing, develop an outreach ministry through their “congregations” and always intercede in prayer for someone theydon’t know personally, as well as for those they do know. This is how we can be used by God, and this is the only way a change will come.