CHURCH OF CENTRAL AFRICA PRESBYTERIAN -  THE PRISON CHAPLAINCY DEPARTMENT 

INTRODUCTION TO THE PRISON MINISTRY:-  For many years, the Blantyre Synod of the C.C.A.P. recognised the importance of creating this special ministry of the people who are in the crises like the inmates/ prisoners in order to fulfil the call of Jesus in Matthew 25 where he said I was sick, a stranger, naked, hungry, thirsty, prisoner, so the prisons are full of these people therefore the ministry is there in the prisons to serve these people who are in crises by comforting, encouraging, supporting them spiritually, morally, psychologically, materially etc.

However, there was no full time Chaplain for the prisons and ministers were involved only on a part-time basis. In 2008, the Synod instituted a full time Chaplain to the prisons in order to take care of them in their spiritual and physical needs, following this ministry many inmates in various prisons have really given their lives to Jesus, life in prisons have changed with less escapees, fights, thefts, indiscipline and misconducts because of the approach we undertake to them as we do not condemn them as sinners no but most loved by God. Many spiritual activities are being done in the prisons like Choirs, dramas, overwhelming testimonies etc.

 I am the second full time Chaplain to prisons. On behalf of the Synod, I would like to thank the prison officials for their continued support whenever I need them, most especially in accepting the choir groups from the prison cells to gather and worship with members of the public in various churches am so grateful to them that they continue working hard in hard with faith based groups in the spiritual transformation of the prisoners in the country prisons.

 I would also take this opportunity to thank Ed Hoekstra who has been faithfull to the ministry in many many way and has visited the prisons with me on a regular basis during my time as a chaplain.

ACTIVITIES DONE IN PRISONS:- The prison chaplaincy department under Blantyre Synod is carrying a lot of activities in the19 prisons and two juvenile centres namely Mpemba Boys and Chilwa Approved, some of the work I carry in these places are:-

        Moral and spiritual counselling to both male and female inmates, the old and the youth.

        Assisting inmates to pursue their legal matters by directing them to Para Legal Offices.

        Cheering the sick inmates in the hospital where they have been admitted and in the prison cells.

        Organising church groups to visit the prisons of their choice in order to offer materials and give words of encouragement and love of God to them.

        Conducting and leading regular church activities on Sunday, bringing the inmates closer to the Lord Jesus.

        Conducting weekly Bible studies sessions for their spiritual growth while in the prisons.

        Conducting Holy Communion sessions and Baptisms to the repentant inmates.

        Donating second hand clothes, medicines, beddings, Bibles and other things through well wishers and members of Friends of Prisons.

        And others. 

PROJECT PROPOSAL RESPONSE:  Following a huge prison work of reaching the inmates in various prisons a Project Proposal asking for an assistance of funds to procure a second hand twin cab vehicle was written and sent to some well wishers in Canada (International Ministries Of Presbyterian Church Of Canada) who were touched with the work which Blantyre Synod are carrying in the prisons and sent us 8.3 thousand USD to purchase a vehicle which we did (NISSAN DOUBLE CABIN)

I really thank the International Ministries of Presbyterian Church of Canada through Ron Wallace in supporting the ministry of Prisons in the country, the vehicle has already started easing the communication and travel problems I have been facing for more than two years, the only challenge will be probably funds for gasoline (Petrol) and maintenance.

 

SCRIPTURE RECITAL PROJECT: This year the Bible Society of Malawi has introduced a National Scripture Recital Extravaganza Project to all its member churches, its focus is to encourage its members to study and memorise the Bible verses for their spiritual enrichment, members have been asked to memorise 300 Bible words, the project has also been extended to prison inmates to be championed by Blantyre  Synod Prison Ministries, following a very fruitful meeting I held with the Prison officials at the H/Q in Zomba in the month of April 2011, the Department of the Prisons welcomed the Project and promised to introduce it to all prisons but asked Blantyre Synod to be part of the team who will be visiting the prisons and encourage the inmates to participate fully hence for them to win all prizes set for the project.

Already the activities has taken its course especially at Chichiri Prison where three inmates have memorised 600 to 1,500 words from the Bible both in Chichewa and English, very shortly upon availability of funds I intend to visit 13 prisons where I want to encourage more inmates to join the wagon.

 

BIBLE STUDY ACTIVITIES IN THE PRISONS: Since last year the Blantyre Synod Prison Ministry indulged itself in joint with the grouping known as FRIENDS OF PRISONS BLANTYRE SYNOD a programme of launching Bible Study Sessions in the prisons especially in the Southern and Eastern Regions of Malawi where there are 19 prisons, the project was successfully been completed in all prisons with funds both from Synod and members of Friends of Prisons who are always supporting the ministry by making monthly contributions ,vote of thanks be given to them and the GEDIONS INTERNATIONAL for their donations of the New Testament Bible Version to each inmate and Officers in all visited Prisons. The Bible studies and Bibles are helping them to deepen their spiritual life, growth and relationship with God, hence making them to leave a positive life to their own and their fellow friends, they are so encouraged when sharing the massage from the Holy Book as they see God as a Caring, Forgiving and Loving GOD.

 

PRISON CHOIR GROUP SONGS RECORDING:- The Chichiri prison choir wholly composed of serving inmates wants to record its very stimulating, touching spiritual songs, the group has so far sung in two big congregations of St. Columba C.C.A.P. and St. Michael and All Angels Churches in the city of Blantyre, requests to have the choir go out for the recording are underway to prison authorities, well wishers are invited to support this move and project where by the sells of the cassettes will be use to restructure the shelter used for worship and other spiritual activities, to buy Bibles, hymns, chairs and support programmes of inmates who are financially handicapped when they finish their sentences.

Lastly I invite all well wishers to come up and support this prison ministry in the Synod of Blantyre materially and financially.

 

REPORT PRODUCED BY:

REV. STANLEY R. CHIMESYA PHIRI.

SYNOD PRISON CHAPLAIN.   

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