Chairman’s Message

Crime is on the increase. Prisons are overcrowded. Large amounts are spent by Governments which is public tax money towards crime prevention, incarceration and treatment of offenders. The prisoners and victim’s families add to the financial burden of the tax payer. Police, prisons and judiciary are yet to bring the expected results. I have seen this true in the last 25 years in USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Far East & Africa.

I am also witnessing another scenario. Christians are taking the gospel light into the dark prison cells inviting prisoners to the marvelous life-changing power of Jesus Christ through transformation. Prisoners who respond by repentance of their sins follow the lifestyle shown and taught by Jesus Christ never come back to the prison.

1986 UN Crime Congress was held in Milan, Italy. I was a delegate there. In one of the workshops held by the Salvation Army, they projected the sure answer to crime. 'Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world'. That works.

Twenty years as Executive Director and past 5 years as Chairman of Prison Fellowship India and five years as Regional Director for Prison Fellowship International (Central Asia and Middle East) I am seeing a mighty movement of God building up the unshakable Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the hearts and minds of repenting prisoners. I am proud to be part of it.

PF India conducted 3 National Leadership Training Seminars and 18 State volunteer-Training seminars, to train and equip Christians to minister to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families in the areas of correction, welfare and rehabilitation.

Christian ministries need education and training. Prison ministry is no exception. God has so far enabled us to train 1500 volunteers all over India.

Prison Fellowship India celebrated its Silver Jubilee in October 98 and along with that we did a National Leadership Training Seminar. High Ranking Criminal Justice Officials and experienced prison ministry leaders shared their expertise in their presentations. The participants requested that all these papers of the Plenary Sessions and Workshops be documented and brought out as a manual for prison ministry volunteers. Here is their request and Prison Fellowship India's dream fulfilled. Efforts have been made to incorporate as much information and guidance as possible. Section 'C' provides guidelines to organize prison fellowship groups. Precisely, this is a training seminar in print form, handy for all who would like to get involved in prison ministry.

Lord enabled me to bring out 25 books in English and Malayalam on Prison Ministry and the latest publication is “Thadavukarethedi” in two volumes which is in a way a brief report of Prison Fellowship India activities during the last 44 years.

I have great pleasure to invite you to be a part of this great movement of God.

Dr. Kunjumon Chacko
Chairman - Prison Fellowship India