Bringing the love of Jesus into our city’s prisons

Did you know Anglicare has over 12 chaplains working in prisons across Sydney?

Our chaplains work in a range of settings, including maximum security, minimum security prisons, women’s prisons and juvenile centres.

What’s more, our chaplains are some of the most sought-after people in prisons! Every day, prison inmates want to meet with them. These requests are so frequent, most chaplains can’t see everyone who asks.

Sometimes the inmates are looking for someone ‘safe’ to speak to or a listening ear. But more often than not, they want to learn about Jesus.

“When you go to jail, you can’t get much lower in your life than that. The only way to go is to look up,” says Anglicare chaplain Steve, who works in a maximum security centre.

“Now’s the time in their life where I think God actually speaks to them and calls them back to Him.”

While the day-to-day roles of our chaplains vary depending on the needs of those they serve, most chaplains facilitate Bible studies for interested inmates, provide one-on-one counselling and support, chat with people wanting to know more about faith, and run chapel services.

Most importantly, they share God’s love with everyone who needs to hear it. As chaplain Louise – who works in a women’s prison – remarks:

“[I] remind them that, ‘You are more than just this label that society wants to put on you. You are created in Christ and you are loved by God.”

At Anglicare, we feel called to bring hope and love to those who are feeling the most hopeless and unloved, and to go where no one else wants to go. We work in prisons because we know these men, women and young people need to hear about God’s love for them. And we know that when they do, it will radically change their lives.

Thank you to everyone who supports this incredible ministry. Please contact 13 26 22 if you’d like to give again or learn more.