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.
By Chaplain Mark Nissley I met Matt* during a weekend seminar held in the Buena Vista Correctional Facility. He was in a group of thirty prisoners who attended a weekend of teaching, prayer, worship, and fellowship. He seemed withdrawn, defensive, and fearful. Matt...
By Jim Swartzentruber - InsideOut Dad Facilitator We have recently completed the 8th InsideOut Dad class in prison, where sixteen prisoners graduated after twelve weeks of class. We had a wide range of social and spiritual backgrounds, from committed believers to...
By Chaplain Ricky Miller I first met Todd in the Youthful Offenders System five years ago when I started as a chaplain there. He had already accepted Christ while he was in jail, but he was looking for someone to guide him as he deepened his walk with the Lord. Todd's...
In today’s world, where society often focuses on reform and rehabilitation, one aspect that is sometimes overlooked is spiritual healing. Prison ministry stands as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, offering men and women in jail hope, redemption,...
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...
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...
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,...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Recently, Mark and Ruth shared about taking their online Sing-Along into prisons to share with incarcerated men and women.
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.
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...
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,...
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...