Every inmate in a South Carolina prison received a Christmas gift this year because South Carolina Baptists provided more than 24,000 prisoner packets, exceeding this year’s goal.
A group from New Life Baptist Church, Goose Creek, helps check prisoner packet contents.On Dec. 7, more than 100 volunteers and 47 inmates worked at St. Andrews Baptist Church, Columbia, to double-check the packets and load them into laundry bags before they were given to every adult and youth inmate in the state the following day.
There are strict guidelines for what is included in the packets, for safety as well as to assure that everyone receives the same gifts. Volunteers checked each packet for a writing tablet, non-retractable pens, mints, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and stamped embossed envelopes, and made sure each one had a gospel tract and Christmas card.
This year was Mark Payne’s first year volunteering at the packet assembly. The pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Bishopville, said the prisoner packets will be his “pastor’s project” for the upcoming year, and he plans to begin promoting it to his congregation in March.
“This is an opportunity for me to have a hands-on ministry, to help touch someone’s life with the love of Jesus Christ. Sharing his love is what it’s all about,” Payne said.
According to Tim Rice, Acts 1:8 strategist with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the entire project is a partnership effort between volunteers and other ministries. “This couldn’t be done without partnering with Woman’s Missionary Union and Prison Fellowship, which donated the literature. Every association in the state participates in this ministry, and I don’t know of another mission project we can say that about.” Rice said this is a way for any church, regardless of size, to touch a life and share the meaning of Christmas.
Patricia Foster, a former inmate, knows what it feels like to receive a packet and now volunteers to help assemble them each year. “These items may not seem like much, but to an inmate they are literally things that money can’t buy,” Foster said. “It means so much to know that someone loves and cares about you. That’s why I keep coming back to help – Jesus Christ has given me love, and I want to share it with others.”
One of the inmates who helped with the packet assembly said it brought tears to his eyes to see just how many people volunteer to prepare the packets. “Getting the gifts last year was exciting, but to see so many different people working to put it all together means a lot more.”
“This is a great way to give love to those who need it, because inmates need to know that someone loves them,” Foster said.
When the packets are delivered, some volunteers get to experience the joy of giving firsthand.
A prison inmate stacks bags of prisoner packets.Alleen Miller, a member of Red Hill Baptist Church in Edgefield Association, has distributed the packets with her association’s WMU for more than 20 years. “I have never been afraid, and the inmates are so receptive and respectful. We sing Christmas carols with them, and many join in with us,” she said.
“This is one way churches can show inmates that we care about them and, hopefully, they will remember that when they are released.” As a result of the prisoner packet ministry, Miller’s husband Wayne began a monthly inmate ministry that also involves area pastors.
Rice also enjoys going to the prisons to distribute the packets. “It ties the package in a bow to see it from beginning to end. I really enjoy being able to shake an inmate’s hand, wish them a Merry Christmas, and see them smile,” Rice said. – SCBC