WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has unanimously recognized the 50th anniversary of Prison Fellowship, honoring five decades of Christian ministry to prisoners, former prisoners, and families affected by incarceration.
The bipartisan resolution was introduced by Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma and Chris Coons of Delaware and was agreed to by the Senate on September 28.
Prison Fellowship was founded in 1976 by Charles “Chuck” Colson following his incarceration for a Watergate-related crime and his conversion to Christianity. Over the following five decades, the organization developed programs focused on sharing the Gospel, rehabilitation, family restoration, mentoring, and helping people successfully return to their communities after incarceration.
According to the Senate resolution, Prison Fellowship reaches more than 600,000 people each year with support from more than 200,000 volunteers across the United States.
The organization’s Prison Fellowship Academy provides a yearlong program focused on personal transformation, character development, and spiritual growth. More than 16,000 people have participated in the Academy, including approximately 6,000 graduates.
Prison Fellowship also operates Angel Tree, which works through local churches to serve children and families affected by incarceration. The Senate resolution states that more than 13 million children have been served through Angel Tree Christmas during the ministry’s history.
The Senate commended Prison Fellowship’s staff, volunteers, churches, correctional leaders, and participants while recognizing the organization’s work promoting restoration, rehabilitation, and second chances.
For Whole Bible believers, the milestone highlights the impact believers and congregations can have by serving people who are often forgotten and supporting families affected by incarceration.
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