Ministry to Incarcerated

Seventh-day Adventists

Ministering to incarcerated SDAMinistering to incarcerated SDA

““When you look at an When you look at an inmate’s “Tombstone inmate’s “Tombstone Data” …and there Data” …and there happens to be a blank happens to be a blank space where it states space where it states “Religion:” …chances “Religion:” …chances are that inmate is one are that inmate is one of ours (SDA)of ours (SDA)””

As Seventh-day AdventistsAs Seventh-day Adventists

We believe:We believe:1.1. We are the Remnant ChurchWe are the Remnant Church

2.2. We have the last day messageWe have the last day message

3.3. We are to fulfill the Great CommissionWe are to fulfill the Great Commission

4.4. We believe in the Ten Commandments; We believe in the Ten Commandments; and live out the Fourth Commandmentand live out the Fourth Commandment

5.5. We believe in Soul Sleep & Second We believe in Soul Sleep & Second Coming of Jesus ChristComing of Jesus Christ

Tombstone Data

SDA LegacySDA LegacySDA’s are known for:SDA’s are known for:

1.1. Excellent Bible/Scripture knowledgeExcellent Bible/Scripture knowledge

2.2. Dietary adherence – Clean & UncleanDietary adherence – Clean & Unclean

However; However; As SDA’s we lack compassionAs SDA’s we lack compassion We are highly critical & non-forgivingWe are highly critical & non-forgiving Will we loose our inheritance…?Will we loose our inheritance…?

Adventist - NeedsAdventist - NeedsSeventh-day Adventists need:Seventh-day Adventists need: Sabbath times for worship (Sunset to Sabbath times for worship (Sunset to

Sunset)Sunset) Strict Dietary adherence (complicated)Strict Dietary adherence (complicated)

******************************************************** As inmates don’t want to be seen as As inmates don’t want to be seen as

differentdifferent Don’t to be treated differentlyDon’t to be treated differently Don’t want to stick outDon’t want to stick out Don’t want clergy visits-ensuing retribution Don’t want clergy visits-ensuing retribution

Adventist – Needs Adventist – Needs (Contd.)(Contd.)

Sabbath WorshipSabbath Worship Sabbath observanceSabbath observance Bible StudiesBible Studies DevotionsDevotions Pen PalsPen Pals Visitations Visitations

(personal and volunteer ministry (personal and volunteer ministry groups)groups)

SDA Dietary NeedsSDA Dietary Needs

► Jewish faith dictates Kosher meatsJewish faith dictates Kosher meats► Islam faith dictates Halal meatsIslam faith dictates Halal meats► And still more…Krishner, New Age etc.. And still more…Krishner, New Age etc..

SDA’s can be:SDA’s can be:

1.1. Vegan Diet (Total Vegetarian)Vegan Diet (Total Vegetarian)

2.2. Lacto-ovo Diet (plant foods with Dairy Lacto-ovo Diet (plant foods with Dairy & Eggs)& Eggs)

3.3. Selective Omnivorous Diet (Clean Selective Omnivorous Diet (Clean meats)meats)

Guidelines for the Dietary Requirements of Seventh-day Adventists in Public InstitutionsGuidelines for the Dietary Requirements of Seventh-day Adventists in Public Institutions

These guidelines are provided to assist officials in public institutions in meeting the dietary requirements of Seventh-These guidelines are provided to assist officials in public institutions in meeting the dietary requirements of Seventh-day Adventists.day Adventists.

BELIEFSBELIEFSTwo beliefs impact the dietary practice of Seventh-day Adventists:Two beliefs impact the dietary practice of Seventh-day Adventists:Health as a responsibility.Health as a responsibility.The Bible affirms that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, we are to honor God The Bible affirms that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, we are to honor God by caring for ourselves intelligently, partaking in moderation of that which is good and avoiding that which is by caring for ourselves intelligently, partaking in moderation of that which is good and avoiding that which is harmful. This includes abstaining from unclean foods, from all alcoholic beverages and tobacco in all its forms, and harmful. This includes abstaining from unclean foods, from all alcoholic beverages and tobacco in all its forms, and from the misuse of narcotics or other drugs.from the misuse of narcotics or other drugs.Conscience and choice.Conscience and choice.Seventh-day Adventists also believe that God endowed humanity with intelligence and conscience, the capacity to Seventh-day Adventists also believe that God endowed humanity with intelligence and conscience, the capacity to discern His revealed will and the power of choice to act upon conviction. We are accountable to Him for the wise discern His revealed will and the power of choice to act upon conviction. We are accountable to Him for the wise exercise of these capacities.exercise of these capacities.

DIETARY OPTIONSDIETARY OPTIONSBased on these beliefs, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in practice sets a minimum dietary standard, but allows Based on these beliefs, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in practice sets a minimum dietary standard, but allows for informed choice within a range of options. That range includes standards for three levels of dietary practice, as for informed choice within a range of options. That range includes standards for three levels of dietary practice, as follows:follows:Minimum Required Dietary Practice (Selective Omnivorous Diet)Minimum Required Dietary Practice (Selective Omnivorous Diet)Includes use of plant foods and biblically "clean" meats such as poultry, beef, lamb and fish with fins and scales. Includes use of plant foods and biblically "clean" meats such as poultry, beef, lamb and fish with fins and scales. Prohibited are biblically "unclean" meats such as pork and its products, as well as seafood without fins and scales. Prohibited are biblically "unclean" meats such as pork and its products, as well as seafood without fins and scales. (See Leviticus 11.) (See Leviticus 11.) This is the minimum required practice, but is not the recommended optimum dietThis is the minimum required practice, but is not the recommended optimum dietRecommended Dietary Practice (Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Diet)Recommended Dietary Practice (Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Diet)Involves the use of plant foods, but includes moderate use of dairy and egg products, depending on personal taste Involves the use of plant foods, but includes moderate use of dairy and egg products, depending on personal taste and choice. Emphasized is the use of grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables prepared in a simple, natural and attractive and choice. Emphasized is the use of grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables prepared in a simple, natural and attractive manner.manner.Alternative Dietary Practice (Total Vegetarian/Vegan Diet)Alternative Dietary Practice (Total Vegetarian/Vegan Diet)Involves the use of plant foods only. Can be a healthy diet if practiced intelligently, but requiresInvolves the use of plant foods only. Can be a healthy diet if practiced intelligently, but requiressupplementation with Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Zinc or multiple vitamins or fortified foods.supplementation with Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Zinc or multiple vitamins or fortified foods.

Nutritional information is available, including the Position Statement on the Vegetarian Diet, The Vegetarian Food Nutritional information is available, including the Position Statement on the Vegetarian Diet, The Vegetarian Food Pyramid and The Total Plant Food Guide Pyramid.Pyramid and The Total Plant Food Guide Pyramid.SEVENTH-DAYSEVENTH-DAY For consultation and information, contact the Department of Health Ministries, For consultation and information, contact the Department of Health Ministries, ADVENTISTADVENTIST Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters, 12501 Old Columbia Pike,Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, church Silver Spring, MD 20904 • phone: 301-680-6702 • fax 301-680-6707church Silver Spring, MD 20904 • phone: 301-680-6702 • fax 301-680-6707

Case Study Facts – S.KCase Study Facts – S.K During original sentence had no visits During original sentence had no visits

from the Pastor or Church membersfrom the Pastor or Church members Made friends with a Muslim inmate and Made friends with a Muslim inmate and

met with the Imam…began to test the met with the Imam…began to test the waters of Islam waters of Islam

During Stat Release re-offends and During Stat Release re-offends and brutally attacks a police dog in self-brutally attacks a police dog in self-defensedefense

Encouragement visitation by local Encouragement visitation by local Church members while inmate in Church members while inmate in hospitalhospital

Case Study Questions – S.KCase Study Questions – S.K

Will the impact surrounding the inmate Will the impact surrounding the inmate affect the Church (Conference)?affect the Church (Conference)?

The fact he is severally injured by The fact he is severally injured by almost gun shots by police in his almost gun shots by police in his recapture, is he a threat to our safety?recapture, is he a threat to our safety?

Why did the family speak out like that Why did the family speak out like that in the media, they had no right?in the media, they had no right?

Has he really seen the light now?Has he really seen the light now? Can Prisoners really change?Can Prisoners really change?

Prison / Prisoners in ScripturePrison / Prisoners in Scripture

Prison is mentioned 84 times in ScripturePrison is mentioned 84 times in Scripture 42 times NT and 42 times OT42 times NT and 42 times OT Prisons is mentioned 3 times NT onlyPrisons is mentioned 3 times NT only

Prisoner is mentioned 13 times (2 OT/ 11 NT)Prisoner is mentioned 13 times (2 OT/ 11 NT) Prisoners is mentioned 20 times (15 OT/5 NT)Prisoners is mentioned 20 times (15 OT/5 NT)

Grand Total of 120 times in Scripture…?Grand Total of 120 times in Scripture…?

Facts about PrisonersFacts about Prisoners

Technology has already established that not Technology has already established that not everyone who is in prison should be there!everyone who is in prison should be there!

DNA TestingDNA Testing Many of us will be sentenced to prison Many of us will be sentenced to prison

because of our religious beliefs!because of our religious beliefs! Prisons were designed to be a part of Prisons were designed to be a part of

Restorative Justice system – Once justice Restorative Justice system – Once justice has been paid in full the prisoner is restored has been paid in full the prisoner is restored with lesson learned!with lesson learned!

Luke 4:18-19 KJVLuke 4:18-19 KJV

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,set at liberty them that are bruised,

To preach the acceptable year of the To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”Lord.”

Restorative Justice• Restorative justice is a non-adversarial,

non-retributive approach to justice that emphasizes healing in victims, meaningful accountability of offenders, and the involvement of citizens in creating healthier, safer communities.

• Crime is a violation of people and relationships. Restorative justice works to repair the damage and promote healing and growth -.important tools in finding more peaceful and collaborative ways of resolving conflicts in our society.

Restorative Justice (Contd.)

• It strives to provide support and opportunities for voluntary participation and communication between those affected - victims, offenders, and community - to encourage accountability, reparation, and movement towards understanding, feelings of satisfaction, healing and closure.

Prison MinistryPrison MinistryPrison Ministry is a vital ministryPrison Ministry is a vital ministryTo those forgotten men and women To those forgotten men and women behind the prison wallsbehind the prison wallsWe all know someone in prison or have We all know someone in prison or have been in prison or someone related or been in prison or someone related or knows someone in prison knows someone in prison These are our brothers, sisters, These are our brothers, sisters, cousins, parents, uncles and aunts and cousins, parents, uncles and aunts and friends!friends!Jesus came and died for them as well Jesus came and died for them as well as usas us

PreventionPrevention We need to minister to our young nowWe need to minister to our young now Before they are incarceratedBefore they are incarcerated We need to listen more and act moreWe need to listen more and act more We need to plan and make things rightWe need to plan and make things right And then we need to minister to the And then we need to minister to the

incarcerated souls regardless of who incarcerated souls regardless of who they are or what crimes they have they are or what crimes they have committed! committed!

FACT…!FACT…!

• Jesus was a prisoner too!Jesus was a prisoner too!• Convicted and sentenced to death Convicted and sentenced to death

for crimes He did not commitfor crimes He did not commit• Most of the disciples were Most of the disciples were

imprisoned and eventually killed imprisoned and eventually killed for their beliefsfor their beliefs

• What are you willing to do…?What are you willing to do…?

Price paid in Price paid in FULL!FULL!