Maranatha's Prison & Jail Ministry is concerned with sharing the love, the hope and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to those behind bars. Pastor Tony serves as Chaplain each Thursday morning at the San Jose Downtown Jail. Maranatha ministers at San Quentin four times a year and at Elmwood Jail every other month. The Ministry also extends to Juvenile Hall and Muriel Wright Center for Women. To be involved in the Prison Ministry, you must sign up in advance of the scheduled dates and you are required to have a clearance check.
Ministry Description
The MCC Jail & Prison Ministry seeks to minister to people in need of hope and the transforming power of Jesus Christ through personal testimony and examples of Christ like living.
Ministry Purpose
MCC’s Jail & Prison Ministry is a team of men and women gathered by God for the purpose of sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ to incarcerated men, women & children. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:36 give us the basis for this ministry, “…I was in prison and you visited me…” We are called to share His love, hope and life-changing message to those behind bars and those who have been recently released from the detention system.
Ministry Mission
James Juvenile Ranch: We commit to leading worship service each 1st Sunday of the month. The service includes praise & worship, prayer, scripture reading and the preached word. There is limited one on one ministry. James Ranch houses young men 12 – 17 years of age. Coordinator – Minister Tony Macon
Women’s Residential Center: We commit to leading a worship service one Friday evening each month. The service includes praise & worship, prayer and the preached word. Coordinator – Minister Nellie Lee
Elmwood Jail: We commit to leading a worship service in the Elmwood Correctional Facility on the 4th Sunday of each month. The Chapel service includes praise & worship, prayer, the preached word and one-on-one ministry. Each December, the Hope of Glory Mass Choir goes in with pastoral staff to celebrate Christmas in song and the preached word. Coordinator – Elder Kenneth Love
San Quentin State Prison: We commit to sharing in a worship service five times annually. The chapel celebration service includes praise & worship, prayer, selections from the San Quentin Men’s Choir, selections from the Maranatha Choir, occasional drama presentations and the preached word. Coordinator – Elder Steve Pinkston
Why participate in this ministry
We are called by Jesus to minister to the poor, the weak, the strangers, and the incarcerated, “to the least of these.” While it may not be easy to go into a detention facility, He nevertheless challenges modern day disciples be His hands, feet, eyes, ears and body. We are called to be witnesses of God’s love and compassion for the world.
How can participants get involved
County Facilities (Juvenile Hall, James Ranch, WRC, Elmwood Jail)
Step One: Contact any of the coordinators of the Jail & Prison Ministry. If you are particularly interested in working with youth at Juvenile Hall, please contact Sister Lynda Haliburton.
Step Two: You must participate in a four hour “Going In Staying In Training” sponsored by C.I.C. Ministries. These trainings are held quarterly.
Step Three: You will need to get finger printed at the County Sheriffs Office.
Step Four: Be patient! Sometimes the bureaucracy can take time.
San Quentin State Prison
Sign up with Elder Pinkston in October. Unfortunately the annual sign-up only occurs in October. If you miss this sign-up, there will not be another time for you to register until the following October. Please see Elder Pinkston if you have questions.