CHRISTIAN JAIL MINISTRY
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How You Can Help		 CJM Activity Summary

Synopsis of CJM activities for 2001, as reported by Chaplain Nichols

Download CJM's synopsis of activity for the past year here

The activity synopsis table has two major parts. The top summarizes inmate participation in religious programs at HCDC for the past several years under CJM supervision (this information was taken from the monthly chaplain reports to the Howard County Director of Corrections). Not included are other religious activities at HCDC. An inmate participation is one inmate in one activity. The lower part of the table summarizes the number of activities and gives an indication of volunteer involvement. Not shown in the tables below are formal volunteer training and orientation sessions conducted quarterly, presentations at churches and civic groups by CJM chaplains and other speakers, inmate children served at Christmas, or other after care activities.

The number of activities vary -- sometimes weather prevents holding services. We do not report inmate responses for salvation, for commitment to the Christian life, etc. Every week CJM chaplains and volunteers pray with men and women to receive Christ, to be more serious as a follower of Christ, etc. We see changes in lives. We have the privilege of helping some (such as adults in their 40s and 50s) make commitment to Christ that are seldom reached by normal church efforts. Yet we know that only God can see into the heart to know when the outward expression is a reflection of real spiritual interaction. And for that reason, we do not track, count, or report such inmate responses. For those who make genuine commitments to Christ and who have real interaction with the Spirit of God, it will show in their lives. For the others, who only have "jail house religion" or something similar, it will not last and will not make significant changes in the person. Jesus described varied responses to the Word of God in His parable of the Sower and the Seed (see Matthew 13). Our goal is to help everyone become like the good soil -- to hear, understand, and obey the Word of God.