| Testimonies of Women Finding Faith While Serving | | | | filled with opportunities for enrichment programs |
| Time in Jail | | | | and a program which includes family visitation |
| "Seeking God While Serving Time" is a book filled | | | | privileges. There is also personal time for personal |
| with miraculous testimonies of how women in jail | | | | correspondence, reading or study, as well as free |
| are finding faith while running from God, from self, | | | | time for card games and viewing TV, or for |
| and facing related struggles. Author and lecturer | | | | group Bible studies. |
| Gail Thomas McKenna shares stories of many she | | | | The volunteer program of visitation, Bible studies, |
| has ministered to as she serves in a faith based | | | | and worship include opportunities for one on one |
| ministry in a county jail in the Texas Hill Country. | | | | contact as well as participation in chapel services. |
| McKenna uses personal stories and testimonies | | | | McKenna's background is Catholic; however, it is |
| from inmates to show how three parables of | | | | made very clear that inmates of all faiths are |
| Jesus in the New Testament parallel the lives of | | | | welcome to participate in the opportunities of Bible |
| those incarcerated. The life of the prodigal son | | | | study and worship. Liturgy and doctrinal issues are |
| from the Gospel of Luke illustrates the sense of | | | | set aside for relevant application studies from the |
| being lost that accompanies incarceration with the | | | | Bible and opportunities for individual prayer with |
| opportunity to turn to or return to God. In the | | | | the inmates. |
| Gospel of Matthew the parable of the sower | | | | "Seeking God While Serving Time" is an excellent |
| demonstrates how the Gospel comes alive for | | | | source of information and motivation for anyone |
| prisoners today. And, finally, the story of | | | | considering a jail or prison ministry with women. |
| Zaccheus the tax collector, in also in Luke's Gospel | | | | Many of the principles are applicable to ministry |
| exemplifies Jesus' invitation to give new meaning | | | | with men as well, and for teens who are in |
| to the lives of the inmates. | | | | Juvenile detention centers. The book is also an |
| I found the chapter titled "A Day in the Life of an | | | | important refreshing challenge for those already |
| Inmate to be insightful. McKenna covered a typical | | | | involved in this important ministry mandated by |
| day in county jail from the wake up call at 4:30 | | | | the Lord Himself when He told us to "visit those in |
| AM through to lights out at 11 PM. The days are | | | | prison. |