Camp New Day
Anytime an adult is incarcerated, there are a million things to consider — but maybe the most important is the kids that are affected.
For almost a decade Camp New Day has been a partnership of the West Michigan and Detroit conferences that offers a spirit-filled weeklong camp experience for 9-15 year-olds who have parents in jail or prison.
At Camp Albright in Reed City campers share in daily worship and Bible study, while also participating in traditional fun camping experiences that are shared with caring, loving adults and youth going through similar life experiences.
The experience costs $369 but many campers come on full scholarships that are funded through donations and Michigan Area ministry funds.
Camp New Day Dean Beverly Williams said the camp offers “amazing opportunities for life-changing discussions about forgiveness, endurance and how to get along with others.”
Larry Fitch plays a major role at the camp and said the kids mean so much to all of the counselors, volunteers and leaders involved.
He said this summer one 12-year old boy seemed very withdrawn and sad when he arrived at camp.
After a heart-to-heart conversation, a counselor found out just a few days prior to camp Sam received a letter from his father in prison, stating that, “Sam was not his son so (he should) quit trying to see or communicate with him.”
“He could not understand why his dad would not communicate with him and felt that he might even be the reason he was in jail,” Fitch said. “Our counselor spent some extra time with Sam showing him love and spiritual caring. By the end of the week Sam was having a great time and had also found some new friends.”
Other kids might live with grandparents or relatives and most of them have more stress in their lives than any teenagers or pre-teens are able to handle without consequence.
The camp has its own registrar who sends out registration forms and makes regular phone calls to remind potential campers of the opportunity that awaits them.
It is also has plenty of needs to be filled by passionate churches and individuals.
For 2010 the camp needs approximately $15,000 more to reach its goal of $30,000 and Fitch said they still need close to 30 people to serve as staff, counselors and mentors.
Camp New Day is part of the West Michigan Conference’s Six Lanes of Giving (#7452) and the Detroit Conference’s Jubilee Spotlight (MJ 1366).
Those interested in donating funds an/or their time should contact Beverly Williams at 616-970-061 or will.fam@comcast.net or Fitch at 616-296-0844 or lmfitch@charter.net.
Keryx
The easiest way to define the Keryx Prison Ministry is, well, to think of the Emmaus Walk, but with inmates.
It is a lay-person led, non-profit, non-denominational Christian ministry that uses the Cursillo method of training people to be leaders in three days of intense instruction and prayer.
The purpose of Keryx is the “Christianization” of the correctional institution through the actions of small apostolic prayer support groups of prison residents, trained and encouraged by Keryx volunteers working within their environment.
Keryx programming has really made an impact in the Upper Peninsula, as well as places like Traverse City and Carson City.
Keryx activities have been held in chapels, gymnasiums, classrooms, visiting rooms, tents with adjacent port-a-potties, and there is always a great need for volunteers and organizers.
For more information on the history of Keryx and its programming opportunities check out www.keryx.org.
Prison Fellowship
A national ministry, started 34 years ago by the well-known Chuck Colston, has plenty of local opportunities that can be accessed on the organization’s website at www.prisonfellowship.org.
Currently the ministry shows a need for certified prison volunteers and mentors for year-round outreach from Detroit to Ypsilanti to the Upper Peninsula, and there are one-day camps in need of assistance in places like Muskegon and Kingsley.
Prison Fellowship offers programs like Angel Tree, which provides inmate’s families assistance at Christmas, and they also help prisoners and ex-prisoners find jobs.
Mary Engle is the executive director of Prison Fellowship for Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
Her main office is in Grand Rapids and she can be reached at mary_engle@pfm.org or 616-530-9060.
Oakland Jail Ministry
This program provides a Protestant presence through the chaplain’s office of the Oakland County Jail.
Services include a prison chaplain, a part-time administrative assistant, distribution of Bibles and other devotional materials, worship services, Christmas baskets, and one-on-one inmate counseling. This program also offers opportunities for laity to become involved with many aspects of prison ministry.
It is a Ministry Jubilee project (MJ 1115) sponsored by the Alliance for Urban Ministry and the contact for this outreach is Rev. John Benissan at 248-646-9777.
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