The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions regarding prison ministry have been lifted and prisons are once again wide open for visitation.
Just as Jesus said, “I was in prison, and you visited Me,” those who are called to fulfill that prophecy are invited to meet together for Northwest Prison Ministries Convention on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13–14, 2024 at Holden Convention Center in Gladstone, Oregon.
The convention program will include plenary and seminar presentations by nationally known prison ministry leaders and local grassroots leaders serving in the Pacific Northwest.
Special guests include:
- Cleveland Houser, North American Division prison ministries director
- Russell Patterson, First Church Washington D.C. prison ministry leader
- Nelson Miles, HOPE House of Tacoma chairperson
- Rich Babas, HOPE House of Tacoma manager
- Floyd Marshall, Washington Conference prison ministry coordinator
- Shama Felix, Washington Conference prison ministry volunteer
- Byron Dulan, North Pacific Union prison ministry director
Learn about mental health issues, transitional facilities, pen pal letter writing, recruiting younger volunteers, encouraging local church support, welcoming returning citizens and more.
Seasoned prison ministry workers and especially new potential volunteers are encouraged to register now.
“As NPUC prison ministry director, I am urging you as a regular church member to prayerfully consider prison ministry as your Christian service vocation,” said Dulan, who also serves as NPUC vice president for regional ministries. “We need dedicated volunteers in each of the six conferences of our union. Please come with ideas for the future of prison ministries!”
Dulan continued, “While Adventist Prison Ministries includes periodic visits to prisons and jails, it's more than that. There are many opportunities for service in APM that don’t require — some even prevent — going behind bars, including pen pal ministry, services to prisoner children and families, support of transitional housing facilities, resettlement in local churches after release and more.”
Registration rates are:
- $110 regular registration (before Sept. 6)
- $80 Saturday only registration
- $120 on-site registration
The convention will help you explore how your personality, gifts and experiences can be used in APM.
You will need to arrange for lodging separately from your registration. The hotel of choice near the Oregon Conference office and Holden Convention Center is Holiday Inn Express. For any event questions not answered here, please reach out to Pattric Parris, NPUC administrative assistant, at 360-857-7033.
