While attending Annual Conference last year, Betty Woodring from Turney United Methodist Church, was inspired by things Rev. Harold Johnson said about prison ministry. She went right home and engaged her friends at church in a prison pen pal ministry. The ministry has grown as she has also invited former teaching associates, family members and others to correspond with prisoners. MissionCast had the joy of interviewing Betty at her Turney United Methodist Church. In this MissionCast she shares how this ministry got started and what it has meant personally to her and her friends. In addition to simply writing letters she sends her church bullitens, Sunday School lessons, items of interest from the newspaper, greeting cards and more. Her pen pal’s cellmate sometime ago asked Betty if she could find a pen pal for him. And others have asked Betty for pen pals as well. Betty’s sharing of her faith in this way led to her pen pal and his cell mate being baptized just before Christmas. This is a wonderful story.
We always hold MissionCasts to less than three minutes. However we have included the full ten minute interview because it includes information that is good for others wishing to become prison pen pals and inviting church members to join in as well.
If you would like to learn even more about this ministry you may call the Office of Creative Ministries (573-474-7155) for contact information for Betty Woodring or Rev. Harold Johnson. You may also email Max Marble, at the Office of Creative Ministries, at marble@umocm.com
To download the entire 10 minute interview with Betty click here.
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