TBBF Jail Ministry

Director: Dennis Philpot

The jail ministry at The Bridge Bible Fellowship exists for the sole purpose of reaching out to inmates with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to provide love, hope and encouragement for those who have been largely forgotten by our society.

The jail ministry is founded on the wonderful truth from God’s Word that Jesus died for all men and women, even those who are incarcerated.  The Apostle Paul stated in I Timothy 1:15-16, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.  Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

Jesus loves the cocaine addict just as much as He loves the student body president. The Gospel is for all people.  Therefore, we can walk into these facilities with confidence knowing that our precious Savior is going in there with us.  We become His hands and feet.  His Word will not return to Him void.

• Pray that all of the volunteer chaplains will live in a manner worthy of our calling; that we will not fall into any sinful habits, thus dishonoring God and disqualifying ourselves from service.
  

• Pray that we will all be people of the Word, just as Paul instructed Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
  

• Most of us in this ministry are married.  Pray that we will all have marriages that are exemplary in the Biblical sense.  God warns us men that if we are not living out our faith at home our prayers will be hindered.  “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”  1 Peter 3:7, NASB.
  

• Pray that our team will have great unity, marked by a spirit of love and cooperation.  The enemy of our souls loves to create dissention, division and strife in every ugly form it can take.  Pray that we will be at peace with each other and with those outside our team.
  

• Pray that the current facilities will stay open to us as we minister and, if it would be His will, that God might open up new opportunities to share the good news of the gospel.
  

• Pray for the senior Chaplains: John Gatlin, Bob Stockman and Frank Mastrolonardo.  These men face many more obstacles, frustration and attacks from the enemy that most of us do.  Let them know that you are praying for them and that you appreciate their hard work and dedication.  Without these men, we could not do what we do.
  

• Pray for the inmates.  Ask one of the volunteers to provide specific names of inmates along with specific prayer requests, if possible.  Ask the Lord to strengthen the inmates that are believers in Christ as they strive to live for Him in very difficult circumstances.