by Mark Dana
STATISTICS demonstrate that, in relation to the total population of Canada, there is an inordinate number of First Nations people who are incarcerated – which suggests a larger problem in our society. As a Christian First Nations person, I am grateful to God for an open door to offer hope within a correctional environment. My own personal background and experience in ministry in First Nations communities has been a help.
As I have had opportunity to serve in the role of prison chaplain, I know the importance of remembering that all mankind is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). Another major reality is that sin has impacted us all. I can see how my own sinful way without God could lead me into troubled consequences and careless living.
The saying, “There go I, but for the grace of God,” rings true in this environment. Inmates have frankly said to me, “If people are not broken themselves, they shouldn’t bother coming in to try to help us.”
In prison ministry you’ll find that there are few who deny that they are sinners. And in this setting – where it seems that everything is magnified – we also see God’s grace. When we sing spiritual songs, they resound! When someone shares a meaningful insight, it gives us all such a taste of freedom!
As I have built friendships with inmates over the years, it has opened up doors of follow-up ministry in First Nations communities when the inmate is released. I have been moved in my heart when I see the released prisoners’ need for connections within their communities, and for the communities to reintegrate people coming out of penitentiaries. And I know that a truly reformed and transformed person can have a great impact for good in a community! This is at the heart of the hope that other chaplains and I share as motivation for serving in institutions and in communities.
There have been specific “tools” developed for helping offenders to navigate the correctional system and have success in their release into society. As a chaplain, it is important for me to know these tools in order to offer support to inmates and their families. One tool – not in the government’s correctional toolbox – is prayer.
Without prayer, my efforts of showing Christ’s love would be ineffective and weak. I count on prayer for the strength to be the person that I should be to staff and inmates alike. I’m sure all chaplains would appreciate prayer for their service in the corrections facilities. Pray also that God would raise up others to visit those about whom Jesus said, “I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:36).
Mark & Ruth Anna Dana have served with NCEM since 1982 in Quebec and New Brunswick.
(from Northern Lights issue #561)