15. The Prisoner & His Family The Church The Church P & P Issues Money Mgmt D & A Counseling Mental/ Physical Health Education Life Skills Employ-ment Personal/ Family Counseling Spiritual Growth Job Training Legal Issues Friends Time Mgmt Leisure Time Food Housing Clothing Released Inmate Travel/ Trans
19. “ Where there is no Vision, the people perish” William Edward Anderson President /CEO The Vision Catalyst Group 2040 S. Alma School Rd Suite #1-207 Chandler AZ 85286 (480) 899-9624 phone/fax [email_address] Executive Director Prison Fellowship Arizona [email_address]
20.
Hinweis der Redaktion
This presentation is primarily meant to spur a discussion surrounding the critical issue of the Transition of Prisoners, from incarceration back into our communities. It seeks only to bring some issues to the forefront, which must be considered as we, the black community, come to a realization that this is a National issue, but it is also particularly a “black” and increasingly a “brown” issue. It is an issue which will only be effectively engaged if it is led by the people of Christ, truly acting as a unified Body of Christ. The solutions to crime within our communities and incarceration of our young men can not be achieved at their root level by Government, though Government certainly must play a critical role. The basis for this statement is established within the context of having a clear understanding of the fact that crime is indeed a complicated issue, with economic and social aspects to it, but at it’s core, at it’s most personal and individual level, crime is a moral issue. This is not to be mistaken with an errant understanding that the condition of being incarcerated in and of it self is a moral issue. There is no doubt that the American Justice system is rampant with tremendous racial bias and inequity, and that intentional Policing strategies and extreme racial bias on the part of American law enforcement results in the unfair targeting and incarceration of people of color. But what is true and must be forcefully stated and sufficiently understood is that the crime is fundamentally a moral issue; which is simply another way of saying that crime is a “sin” issue. There is no viable way of disputing this from any realistic theological standpoint; it is in fact a statement of truth. This being the case; if crime is a sin issue, then the implications for the church are clear. The only way to effectively “deal” with sin, is through a changed heart. The only way to truly and permanently change a heart is through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, for the Church, the ones whom our Lord commanded ..”.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, -(and I emphasize, yes, even the nation of prisoners)- baptizing them in the name of the father son and Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you!”…the implications are clear. While we must engage the judicial system in order to change policies and laws that are unfair and unjust; while we must challenge law enforcement to change policies, strategies, and tactics that are racially motivated, unfair and unjust; while we must work with government to begin investing on the “front end” in communities that are economically ravaged and devoid of genuine opportunity; We must absolutely understand that, what we are actually engaged in is a very real battle for the hearts, minds, and very souls of our current and next generation; a battle for our children, and their children, and the viability of us as a people. It is that large, that real and that serious. It has been stated that this issue of the mass imprisonment of black men, women, and youth, and the incredible number of children impacted by parental incarceration is indeed the current great and critical Civil Rights issue. This is indeed true and as with the Civil Rights Movement of the 50’s and 60’s, it will only be won on the backs of committed people of God, acting with incredible resolve, sacrificing substantially, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is this discussion which needs to be engaged, operating from a clear perspective that this difficult issue is in fact …”A current crisis, A cultural imperative, and an obligation of the Church.