Zooming Into Jail
COVID-19 has created so many changes to the world, causing a lot more anxiety, fear, and stress.
You would think lockdowns and social distancing would be a roadblock for prison ministry. After all, the pandemic just exacerbates the struggles most inmates are already experiencing. Thankfully, we’ve found a way to pivot and work with the challenges in order to continue serving inmates through these difficult times.
Technologies, like Zoom, has allowed many organizations to switch up opperations and safely continue making progress and Anchor Ministry is no exception. Here are 4 ways Zoom is helping inmates through COVID-19:
1. Staying Connected
With everything being shut down and everyone being quarantined, inmates aren’t allowed to have any in-person visitors. This causes them to feel even more isolated in a place where loneliness can already be so overwhelming. Zoom has been a supportive and critical aid in continuing to connect with inmates and strengthen relationships in the Lord.
2. One-on-One Ministry Visits
Normally when John would go into the jail, they would meet in groups, now they get to have more personal and private visits. Zoom creates the unique opportunity for inmates to opening up about things that they wouldn’t normally talk about in a large group. Their conversations are more discreet and confidential than ever before, with a focus on individual discipleship through personal highs and lows of their situations.
3. Deeper Conversations
Before the coronavirus pandemic, John would go in and host group meetings for up to 2 hours. With so many attending in a group, it was harder to connect on a much deeper level with each inmate. They would still discuss God and study the Bible, which was awesome, but any one-on-one visit could only be around 30 minutes. Because of Zoom, John’s been able to take more intentional times with each inmate and is able to cut through all of the small talks, leaving more room for the important stuff.
4. Learning New Skills
Using Zoom and making Zoom calls regularly is exposing the inmates to new technologies that they may have not ever used before. When they’re released, they’ll be more successful because they’ll already be familiar with modern computers and programs, like Zoom. These Zoom calls are helping make future education and job searching much easier for these guys, giving them the opportunity for a successful and jail-free future.
Even though the world is changing and we are all having to adapt to a new normal, God is still winning (as He always does). God’s bigger than all that’s going on around us and He’s definitely bigger then COVID-19. He continues to open doors all around us as we simply remain vessels for Him to be glorified. God’s presence has never left the jails and, even more so now, He’s continuing the good work He has started in these jails.
John, and others, continue to share God’s love and truth to inmates regularly, drawing them back to the importance of Jesus. The truth of the gospel and God’s unconditional love for us is the most necessary and critical tool any of us can have when it comes to overcoming any trials and tribulations.
Friends, don’t lose heart during this crazy season. Instead, continue to passionately pursue loving God and His people during this time.
“And don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming! Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!”