Prison Ministry.
Life-changing experiences by a life-changing God. For Shirley Turner, that sums up a decade of work volunteering in the prison system. What began as a once a week Bible Study course 10 years ago has turned into a passion and heart-call for James and Shirley Turner.
The Turners teach a once a week Experiencing God class at the T.R. Havins Unit in Brownwood in addition to working with Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship teaching weekend seminars in prisons around the state. In addition, James has been certified as a Texas Department of Criminal Justice volunteer chaplain and goes in at least once a week to help the resident chaplain file or complete paperwork, visit with clients or fill in anytime the chaplain is not there or needs extra help.
James said he and Shirley began ministering to those in prison about 10 years ago when they traveled once a week from Brownwood to the Middleton Unit in Abilene with a friend teaching the Experiencing God course, a study they had just completed at their home church. After about a year of teaching weekly in Abilene, James attended a Promise Keepers rally where he was recruited to teach at the T.R. Havins Unit. James said one commitment of the Promise Keepers is to give back to the community, and this was a way he could do just that. In addition, the Turners continued to work with Prison Fellowship's powerful weekend seminars.
The Turners said they are always looking for extra help through volunteers to minister to those in prison whether through the Havins Unit or Prison Fellowship.
There are many ways a person could get involved in this very rewarding ministry. Find your place filing or filling out paperwork for the local chaplain, teaching a Bible study, working with the weekend seminars or contributing financially for the purchase of books and study guides for classes.
James said they especially need more couples volunteering together.
"These guys need role models and they need to see couples," he said.
It would be hard for the Turners to pick just one rewarding experience in their years of volunteer work. The stories are just too numerous to count, the blessings overwhelming. James said the men they serve are looking "for a way to stop going around the merry-go-round." They are looking for a way out and James and Shirley know the way. His name is Jesus and he's turned their lives around just as completely as the inmates they serve.
Shirley remembers a young man who went through either the first or second round of classes many years ago. That man has returned to the prison system numerous times, but this time, as a minister holding revivals and telling others who are where he once was that there is a God who is into change.
The Turners give all the glory to God for countless stories like that, the stories and the people who make what they do a priceless treasure and the God they serve who brings about change and blessings in abundance.
Those interested in volunteering but not really sure what they might want to do could start out just as a visitor to the prison to see how the classes work, what help is needed and to see what stirs in their heart. |
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Contact Information
Anyone with questions or a desire to serve in any way may contact James Turner at 325-643-8058 or email him at js.atsouth6@juno.com, or cal the T. R. Havins Unit at 325-643-5575 and ask for Craig Pender.
Anyone interested in donating monetarily should send contributions to Chapel of Hope, P.O. Box 103, Brownwood, TX 76801. Make checks payable to Chapel of Hope. All donations will go toward needs at the Havins Unit.
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