About Dismas ministry
Dismas Ministry: Strengthening the Spiritual Connection of Prisoners with God
Dismas Ministry is a non-profit organization that aims to help prisoners understand and strengthen their relationship with God. The organization believes that every person, regardless of their past mistakes, deserves a chance to connect with their spiritual side and find redemption.
Founded in 1980 by Ron Zeilinger, Dismas Ministry has been providing spiritual support to prisoners for over four decades. The organization's name is inspired by the biblical story of Dismas, one of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus Christ. According to the story, Dismas repented his sins and asked Jesus for forgiveness before he died. This act of repentance earned him a place in heaven.
Dismas Ministry focuses primarily on a spiritual approach with prisoners who want to understand and strengthen their relationship with God. The organization provides various resources such as Bibles, prayer books, rosaries, and other religious materials that can help inmates connect with their faith.
One of the most significant programs offered by Dismas Ministry is its correspondence program. Through this program, volunteers from all over the country write letters to inmates who have requested spiritual guidance or support. These letters provide encouragement and hope to those who may feel isolated or forgotten while incarcerated.
In addition to its correspondence program, Dismas Ministry also offers retreats for both inmates and prison staff members. These retreats provide an opportunity for participants to reflect on their lives and deepen their understanding of spirituality.
Another essential aspect of Dismas Ministry's work is advocacy for criminal justice reform. The organization believes that everyone deserves fair treatment under the law regardless of race or socioeconomic status. They advocate for policies that promote rehabilitation rather than punishment as well as alternatives to incarceration such as restorative justice programs.
Overall, Dismas Ministry's mission is rooted in compassion and empathy towards those who are often marginalized by society - prisoners seeking redemption through faith-based practices. Their work has touched countless lives over the years through providing hope where there was once despair - helping individuals find peace within themselves even amidst difficult circumstances.
In conclusion,
Dismas ministry has been serving people since 1980; it focuses primarily on strengthening relationships between prisoners' spirituality & god through various resources like Bibles & prayer books etc., which helps them connect better spiritually while incarcerated; they offer retreats too! They also advocate criminal justice reform policies promoting rehabilitation instead punishment along w/alternatives like restorative justice programs so everyone gets fair treatment under law irrespective race/socioeconomic status- making sure no one feels left out!
dismasministry.org
