By Caleb Mast Cellhouse Five is a series of steps and tiers, almost like a cathedral. As you enter the space, you hear both low-grade chatter and high-volume yells from one cell to the other in an effort to make connections and have relationships. Walking in, you can...
Prison Ministry
The Prison Ministry (Also called Offender Services) division of New Horizons Ministries breaks the cycle of incarceration in individuals.
Nearly half of prisoners will return to prison within a few years of their release. This is a widespread tragedy that our Prison Ministry division aims to end. Our primary method of breaking the cycle is providing chaplaincy services to incarcerated men and women.
Collection of Testimonies from InsideOut Dad
InsideOut Dad is a weekly class held in prison led by Jim Swartzentruber. Jim invites men to share childhood experiences that affect them today. A class they wrestle with the question of “How can I break the cycle, not only the cycle of incarceration, but the cycle of...
Blaming God No Longer: Linda’s Story of Faith
Donna Miller, an NHM chaplain at the county jail, met Linda in 2021. Through Donna’s guidance, Linda surrendered her life to Jesus and got baptized. Before her baptism, she gave this testimony of her journey of faith. Growing up we went to church where I saw, felt,...
Charles Broke the Cycle
Become a Changemaker — Help Us Break the Cycle of IncarcerationImagine a world where incarcerated individuals are left without guidance and support. They remain trapped in a life of crime and incarceration , perpetuating a cycle that affects not only them but our...
Yvette Released from Prison, Joins Re-Entry
Yvette made the decision to place her twins in our care while she was in prison, and they have been cared for by foster family Alvin and Wanda Zook while she was on her path towards release from prison. During her time in prison, Yvette had been steadfast in her...
InsideOut Dad Class Graduation
We had the privilege of graduating eleven men in the fourth class of Inside Out Dads in Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. Though this curriculum is not labeled as “Christian” due to the nature of the content, we have ample opportunity to share Christ and...
Pregnant in Prison: Avery’s Story
Avery* reluctantly entered the room where we met for childbirth classes and sat at the other end of the table from where we were seated. She attended the class a few times but rarely participated. She told us early on that she was pregnant with monoamniotic twins...
Chris Freed at Prison Seminar
Several weeks ago, I met a man named Chris in the county jail at a Bondage to Freedom seminar. Early in the seminar there was an opportunity given for anyone who wanted to receive Christ and Chris put his hand in the air. When several of us met with him, it was clear...
The Job of a Doula
In 2021, Colorado passed laws that allowed pregnant woman have doulas present at their births. Denver Women’s Correctional Facility (DWCF) reached out to New Horizons to see if NHM could fulfill that need. Dorcas Swartzentruber and Louise Bontrager became NHM’s...
Twins Born to an Incarcerated Mother
Hi! We are Marques and Marsalles, and we are twins! Our mom is currently in prison, but we are excited to be here, and we love our new foster family. Every week, we get to see our mom in prison, and we can't wait till she can take care of us. Please pray for our...
Bondage to Freedom Seminar — Caleb Mast
On the day of his baptism, Chris shared some words that still circle in my mind. "I wasn't even looking for God, but he showed up and found me." Even now, I let those words hit my heart and I wonder, how does God do that? While I cannot answer for Him, I witnessed one...
Mark And Ruth Nissley Sing-Along
Recently, Mark and Ruth shared about taking their online Sing-Along into prisons to share with incarcerated men and women.
A Chaplain Answers the Question, “Why Prison Ministry?” (Video)
To effectively care for children, we would need to help their parents get out of the cycle they were in. Now, New Horizons
chaplains serve many facilities, discipling men and women in prison.
“The Only Book Available Was the One by Nicky Cruz”
I have always been familiar with the idea of God, but I did not fully understand the truth and the story of what He sacrificed for our salvation from the sins we have committed. In 2019, while I was in prison when my journey to faith started to unfold. At that time, I...
Easter Programs in Prison
Volunteers in Ascend, our Youth Discipleship Program, shared the message of hope and salvation in four prisons. The prisoners expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the program. These programs have a profound impact on the lives of prisoners,...
Son finds hope in Christ
A young prisoner named Timothy* received a notice that his father's health was declining rapidly. Timothy requested a chaplain to follow up with him. It was evident to the chaplain that his heart was hurting and he didn't want to lose his father. Although he had...
“I don’t feel alone anymore”
These were Jen's words on the day of her baptism when she described what it was like when she accepted Jesus as her Savior. In the past month, New Horizons Chaplains have witnessed eight believers choose to be baptized and make a public declaration of their choice to...
Michael Healed
I have known Michael for about six years. His emotional and physical health deteriorated over time. He suffered many seizures and two strokes. He was confined to a wheelchair for the past four years. He attended our Bondage to Freedom seminar in January and...
4 Common Mistakes People Make Relating with Those Who Have Been Incarcerated
Are you struggling to communicate effectively with people affected by incarceration?Download this free 7-page guide 4 Common Mistakes People Make Relating with Those Who Have Been Incarcerated Avoid these 4 mistakes and learn how to connect in a meaningful way with...
New Inside Out Dads Class
We have begun the third class of Inside Out Dads class in prison. There has been an average of twelve men attending on a weekly basis. We had a hard time getting into the class due to the fact that the second week the prison was on lockdown and all volunteer programs...