| Last updated on June 25, 2008 |
Can you write a letter? Then you just might impact someone's life for Eternity!
Barnabas Ministries is a Faith based program in need of Christian volunteers to write letters on a weekly basis to incarcerated youth in juvenile detention centers all across Michigan. Training is required and provided by Barnabas Ministries.
The importance of Pen Pals: We have seen the lives of teens touched through our pen pal ministry. Often times the teens don't get any mail at all in juvenile detention so when a letter arrives addressed to them, it is a big deal! When you write to your pen pal, they will more than likely read your letter several times. Imagine the great things God can say to them through your letters!
It is very important that you don't stop writing to your pen pal without approval of Barnabas staff. Many of these teens have been abandoned by so many people and we want to make every effort to ensure that doesn't happen with their pen pal.
NOTE: All letters to and from your pen pal will come to our office and we will forward them to you or your pen pal. This avoids the exchange of any addresses or last names for everyone's protection.
About the Teens: The teens range from 11 to 18 years old. Many of them have come from broken, unloving homes, abusive situations, and all have been in trouble with the law and incarcerated.
They are ALL in desperate need of knowing the unconditional love, hope, worth, and healing found only in Jesus Christ. They are seekers of God in need of a Christian adult they can write to and who can give them guidance and encouragement through letter writing. In writing and communicating with them, we must be sensitive to them and the places from which they come.
In order to be considered as a Barnabas Ministries Pen Pal you must...
Have a personal and growing faith in Jesus Christ
Be consistently attending the same church for one year (college students: or attend on-campus chapel services)
Minimum age is 18
Be faithfully committed to write to your pen pal at least once a week
Complete the Pen Pal application process:
- Fill out and return the Letter Writing Application
- Fill out and return the Pen Pal Agreement
- Read the Pen Pal Manual & sign that you understand it
- Attend the Basic Training Course provided by Barnabas Ministries
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Pen Pals are expected to...
Write to your assigned teen at least once a week until they are released even if you get no letter in response.
Pray for your pen pal and their family regularly.
Work with Barnabas Ministries and keep us fully informed by returning the Pen Pal Writing Record on a monthly basis.
This opportunity is sponsored by: Barnabas Ministries
Volunteers will work with the following groups
 |
| Adolescents (13-17) |
|
|
|
We need volunteers who are free at these times
|
| Weekly |
|
|
|
This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers
|
| Adults (26-54) |
|
Unpaid Interns |
| Adults (55+) |
|
Young Adults (18-25) |
| Individual |
|
|
|
This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests
|
| Children & Youth |
|
|
|
Contact Person:
Kim Laaksonen, Allegan County Outreach Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Address:
|
Letter writing in your own home |
Web Site: http://www.barnabasmin.org
Be the first person to offer feedback on this agency!
Post a volunteer reflection to share your experiences with other volunteers!
