The following text is an excerpt from the Prisoners For Christ University course Basic Adult Training, Part II, Teaming and Leadership. But it can be applicable to various ministries. Use it as you will to advance the Kingdom of God!

Recruiting Made Easy

For the ministry of Prisoners For Christ to expand and reach its vision two things have to happen:

1.     More volunteers need to be recruited.

2.     More volunteers need to become leaders.

Volunteers get excited in jail and prison ministry when:

1.     You’re excited!

2.     You care that the Great Commission is being fulfilled.

3.     They get a vision for what God would have them to do.

Volunteers get the vision when you:

1.     Share the vision.

2.     Put them in a position to experience the vision.

There are four areas to find potential volunteers:

1. Persons already ministering in jails and prisons who are not associated with PFC

Some potential volunteers are already ministering in jails and prisons as either lone rangers or are a part of a small group ministry from a church or other organization.  These volunteers come in two profiles:

1.     I want to do it my way.

2.     I want to expand my potential with a team.

Any area of ministry will have its share of know-it-alls who cannot be taught, will not work in a team environment, and have a chip on their shoulder.  Love them, but stay away from them. 

2. Persons from your Church

Another pool of potential volunteers is in your own church.  Everyone is busy, but God is interested in prisoners and has his hand on potential volunteers.  You see your church friends often.  Ask them if they’d like to go with you on a one-time pass.  When you have a good relationship with them, it’s easier for this to come to pass.  Also, let your pastor know of your involvement with PFC. Someone may ask him about jail and prison ministry and all he has to do is give them your name or number.

3. Visiting local ministers to your church

A third pool is people who minister as visitors at your church.  Some people who minister have come from rough backgrounds, even prison backgrounds, and would enjoy a visit to a prison to preach.  Some of these can turn into regular ministers in jails and prisons.  This is a real bonus because they already know how to minister and to lead.  Be bold and ask them directly to join you.  It may take many weeks, even months, for their calendar to clear to allow time to come in, but be patient.  It’s worth the wait!

4. Referrals from any of the above three sources

Lastly, ask people for referrals.  Ask them if they know anyone who’d be interested in ministry.  Let them know God is blessing PFC, and be ready with a few facts, such as number of volunteers with PFC, number of monthly services, number of people saved, number of people participating with the correspondence course, the VISION of the ministry and its steady, consistent growth.  Some people will get excited because you’re excited!

Other Ideas?

Men’s Groups

Women’s Groups

Homeschool Groups

Missions Boards

Where you Work

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