Wayside Cross Ministries Update: New Life Corrections Ministry

For most, life during our nation-wide shut down and shelter-in-place was extremely difficult. Trying at best. Sometimes, we just need a little encouragement.

What’s more, each of us experienced the loss of day-to-day contact with close friends. We longed for an encouraging hug from the people we love. Restaurants, Libraries and Parks became inaccessible.

Even churches closed their doors.

If you walk down a wooded path, others move out of your way. One might even receive a sideway glance if you forgot to wear your breathing mask.

Imagine that . . .

Restrictions on where you could go, or who you could talk with. Turning on the news became a mental bonbardment of negativity in a world searching for answers.

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10

Today, most Americans have a real sense of what life behind bars would be like. Each of us yearned for that day of freedom. A familiar embrace. We looked forward to working again, while at the same time, many were fearful they might not have a company or a job to come back to. Today, many still struggle to come back to a normal life. Many are afraid to leave their homes, return to work or school.

Our attitudes have changed. Tolerance for others stretched thin.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Thankfully,  we only experienced that separation over several months during COVID. But even now, there are thousands of men and women who have to endure a life of isolation for years. Some for decades. Many, no longer hear from family, or friends and they’ve lost all hope.

They are the incarcerated . . . the forgotten. Just like the elderly living in nursing homes without family or frends to gather round, they too long to remember happier times.

In this world of prison outreach, the incarcerated have become modern day lepers. Those lucky enough to emerge from prison, rehabilitated from a legal perspective, will find a cold world waiting.

They must learn to adjust to the endless litany of job being denied. Cope with the idea that affordable housing will be severely out of reach. They’ll also have to learn to live with the knowledge family and friends may never speak to them again.

Mother Theresa once said, “The greatest poverty of all is the feeling of being unwanted and unloved.”

Yet redemption can be a powerful force in an unforgiving world.

It’s why Wayside Cross Ministries is committed to bring the hope of Christ to the lost and forgotten in our society through our six ministries. Whether they’re coming off the street, a broken or abused situation, or living in isolation in some jail or prison, they all long for the same thing. The hope only Christ can give.

That’s why our New Life Corrections Ministry is so vital in reaching the unreachable, and breaking a generational curse that divides families.  Our prayer and our efforts are focused one one thing, to end this cycle for children who would otherwise, follow in their father’s footsteps.

You can help us end that pattern of brokenness too!

Today, with your prayers and support, we are able to visit nearly every jail and prison throughout Illinois. We distribute over 8,000 Bibles a year along with other Christian reading material. What’s more, we meet in these institutions one-on-one, provide Bible study, fellowship and to share an encouraging word.

That only happens because of people like you!

Every month, our “DADS Classes” will teach men how to reconnect with their children while incarcerated. Our “Freedom from Fear” seminars teach broken and confined women to live above the pain and abuse of their former lives.  Each and every individual will also learn how to overcome the voice of the Accuser and I dentify the voice of the Shephard.

Together, men and women are learning to overcome a life of destruction through the saving power of a God who loves them unconditionally. They also discover the hope, redemption and sacrifice of an obedient Son who came to take away their sins. To heal the brokenness of the world.

For most, this will be the first time they hear, “When you are done serving your time, we’ve got a place for you at our house. Come live at Wayside!”

Every day, Wayside Cross Ministries is committed to helping the unwanted and unloved by introducing them to the love of Christ, providing safe shelter and a chance to rebuild their lives in one of our 3 facilities.

We will help them develop employable work skills. Finish their high school education. Learn personal accountability. We’ll provide mentors and wrap an entire church family around them to help them on their journey throughout life. And, it all takes place within the context of our Bible-based, Christ-centered recovery and residential housing program.

But it can’t take place without the resources and support of caring individuals to meet the overwhelming need.

Right now, our Chaplain seminars are teaching and equipping the next harvest of men and women to go into these darkest places in society and provide a ray of hope to the lost. That’s why we need your help.

Join us and change lives. Here are four ways you can help!

Sponsor our Chaplain in Training Program. Join our Christian education correspondence program. Give a new or used Bible to help someone in prison. Or make a financial gift and support our shelter and recovery programs at Wayside.

Somewhere right now, in prisons all over the country, there is a lost brother, father, sister, or son longing for the hope only you can give…

Imagine what $10, $50 or $150 can do.

Help us equip more chaplains to meet this incredible need. Every gift helps us win more souls for Christ, restore broken families, provide Bible-based transitional housing, and job training for Ex-offenders. A place where they will be welcome after prison and continue their walk with Christ.  To work and save until they have all the resources they need to live a life of independence.

By supporting our New Life Corrections Ministry today, you’ll be bring hope to the hopeless and help end a cycle of family destruction for generations to come!

Help us take the hope of Christ into some of the darkest places on earth. Share the love of Christ with the lost and forgotten. Your generous gift today will help change lives, rebuild homes and transform communities.

DONATE NOW!

Give a Bible. Change a Life.

If your church would like to get more involved in our Prison Ministry or one of our other five ministries at Wayside, email: Tom Davidson, Development & Church Outreach Coordinator at Wayside Cross Ministries. Become a Church Partner today!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  |  Romans 8:38-39 NIV

Serving the broken, addicted and abused for over 90 years.