by Pastor Paul Stone of the Church of The Damascus Road (CoDR) at the Fort Dodge and North Central Correctional Facilities in Iowa I have been CoDR’s pastor since March 2009. Previously I served cong…

By Mary Mortenson, Executive Director, Prison Congregations of America It was October 15, 2017.   I didn’t want to be in church, and I didn’t want to worship.  Three days before, Julie Thomas, my fri…

By Sarah Estes, board member You lived your life to make a differenceYou lived your life to make a changeYou welcomed all to your tableYou’re calling us to do the same. I want my life to make a diffe…

by Eric Sponheim, former board member “Teach us to number our days,” the Psalmist wrote, “that we may gain a wise heart.”  Good counsel, to be sure. Yet when a friend or family member’s life is cut s…

by Rev. Steve Peterson, past board president I wonder what inmates in prison think about the nights they lie awake in their cells in the wee hours of the night.  Maybe there are thoughts of that day …

By Mary Mortenson I am blessed to live in a part of the country with four very distinct seasons, all of which I love.  After the winter rest, spring shows herself with all the color and mood swings o…

by Carol Porter, former PCA board chair The PCA model requires that each inside prison congregation is supported and visited by outside local congregations. The inside congregation is open to all who…

by Rick Van RavenswaayPastor, Cornerstone Prison ChurchSouth Dakota State Penitentiary With all that is known about God, there are a great many mysteries and at least that many surprises!  It is no s…

by Rev. Wayne Gallipo, board member There is great beauty and power in the practice of outside congregations worshiping with a prison congregation. As a prison pastor I have the privilege of witness…

By Mary Mortenson, Executive Director, Prison Congregations of America Do you remember the book by Robert Fulghum entitled, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?”  It contains all kin…