Ministry to Incarcerated Seventhday Adventists Ministering to incarcerated

Ministry to Incarcerated Seventh-day Adventists

Ministering to incarcerated SDA Ø “When you look at an inmate’s “Tombstone Data” …and there happens to be a blank space where it states “Religion: ” …chances are that inmate is one of ours (SDA)”

As Seventh-day Adventists We believe: 1. 2. 3. 4. We are the Remnant Church We have the last day message We are to fulfill the Great Commission We believe in the Ten Commandments; and live out the Fourth Commandment 5. We believe in Soul Sleep & Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Tombstone Data

SDA Legacy SDA’s are known for: 1. Excellent Bible/Scripture knowledge 2. Dietary adherence – Clean & Unclean However; Ø As SDA’s we lack compassion Ø We are highly critical & non-forgiving Ø Will we loose our inheritance…?

Adventist - Needs Seventh-day Adventists need: v Sabbath times for worship (Sunset to Sunset) v Strict Dietary adherence (complicated) ************** v As inmates don’t want to be seen as different v Don’t to be treated differently v Don’t want to stick out v Don’t want clergy visits-ensuing retribution

Adventist – Needs (Contd. ) v Sabbath Worship v Sabbath observance v Bible Studies v Devotions v Pen Pals v Visitations (personal and volunteer ministry groups)

SDA Dietary Needs Jewish faith dictates Kosher meats ► Islam faith dictates Halal meats ► And still more…Krishner, New Age etc. . ► SDA’s can be: 1. Vegan Diet (Total Vegetarian) 2. Lacto-ovo Diet (plant foods with Dairy & Eggs) 3. Selective Omnivorous Diet (Clean meats)

Guidelines for the Dietary Requirements of Seventh-day Adventists in Public Institutions These guidelines are provided to assist officials in public institutions in meeting the dietary requirements of Seventh-day Adventists. BELIEFS Two beliefs impact the dietary practice of Seventh-day Adventists: Health as a responsibility. The Bible affirms that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6: 19). Therefore, we are to honor God by caring for ourselves intelligently, partaking in moderation of that which is good and avoiding that which is harmful. This includes abstaining from unclean foods, from all alcoholic beverages and tobacco in all its forms, and from the misuse of narcotics or other drugs. Conscience and choice. Seventh-day Adventists also believe that God endowed humanity with intelligence and conscience, the capacity to discern His revealed will and the power of choice to act upon conviction. We are accountable to Him for the wise exercise of these capacities. DIETARY OPTIONS Based on these beliefs, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in practice sets a minimum dietary standard, but allows for informed choice within a range of options. That range includes standards for three levels of dietary practice, as follows: Minimum Required Dietary Practice (Selective Omnivorous Diet) Includes use of plant foods and biblically "clean" meats such as poultry, beef, lamb and fish with fins and scales. Prohibited are biblically "unclean" meats such as pork and its products, as well as seafood without fins and scales. (See Leviticus 11. ) This is the minimum required practice, but is not the recommended optimum diet Recommended Dietary Practice (Lacto- ovo Vegetarian Diet) Involves the use of plant foods, but includes moderate use of dairy and egg products, depending on personal taste and choice. Emphasized is the use of grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables prepared in a simple, natural and attractive manner. Alternative Dietary Practice (Total Vegetarian/Vegan Diet) Involves the use of plant foods only. Can be a healthy diet if practiced intelligently, but requires supplementation with Vitamin B 12, Vitamin D and Zinc or multiple vitamins or fortified foods. Nutritional information is available, including the Position Statement on the Vegetarian Diet, The Vegetarian Food Pyramid and The Total Plant Food Guide Pyramid. SEVENTH-DAY For consultation and information, contact the Department of Health Ministries, ADVENTIST Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, church Silver Spring, MD 20904 • phone: 301 -680 -6702 • fax 301 -680 -6707

Case Study Facts – S. K u During original sentence had no visits from the Pastor or Church members u Made friends with a Muslim inmate and met with the Imam…began to test the waters of Islam u During Stat Release re-offends and brutally attacks a police dog in selfdefense u Encouragement visitation by local Church members while inmate in hospital

Case Study Questions – S. K u Will the impact surrounding the inmate affect the Church (Conference)? u The fact he is severally injured by almost gun shots by police in his recapture, is he a threat to our safety? u Why did the family speak out like that in the media, they had no right? u Has he really seen the light now? u Can Prisoners really change?

Prison / Prisoners in Scripture Ø Prison is mentioned 84 times in Scripture Ø 42 times NT and 42 times OT Ø Prisons is mentioned 3 times NT only Ø Prisoner is mentioned 13 times (2 OT/ 11 NT) Ø Prisoners is mentioned 20 times (15 OT/5 NT) Ø Grand Total of 120 times in Scripture…?

Facts about Prisoners Ø Technology has already established that not everyone who is in prison should be there! Ø DNA Testing Ø Many of us will be sentenced to prison because of our religious beliefs! Ø Prisons were designed to be a part of Restorative Justice system – Once justice has been paid in full the prisoner is restored with lesson learned!

Luke 4: 18 -19 KJV “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. ”

Restorative Justice • Restorative justice is a non-adversarial, non-retributive approach to justice that emphasizes healing in victims, meaningful accountability of offenders, and the involvement of citizens in creating healthier, safer communities. • Crime is a violation of people and relationships. Restorative justice works to repair the damage and promote healing and growth -. important tools in finding more peaceful and collaborative ways of resolving conflicts in our society.

Restorative Justice (Contd. ) • It strives to provide support and opportunities for voluntary participation and communication between those affected - victims, offenders, and community - to encourage accountability, reparation, and movement towards understanding, feelings of satisfaction, healing and closure.

Prison Ministry is a vital ministry To those forgotten men and women behind the prison walls We all know someone in prison or have been in prison or someone related or knows someone in prison These are our brothers, sisters, cousins, parents, uncles and aunts and friends! Jesus came and died for them as well as us

Prevention n n We need to minister to our young now Before they are incarcerated We need to listen more and act more We need to plan and make things right And then we need to minister to the incarcerated souls regardless of who they are or what crimes they have committed!

FACT…! • Jesus was a prisoner too! • Convicted and sentenced to death for crimes He did not commit • Most of the disciples were imprisoned and eventually killed for their beliefs • What are you willing to do…?

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