Keywords
prison ministry, North Park Theological Seminary
Abstract
With less than 5% of the world’s population, the United States incarcerates more than 25% of the world’s prisoners. The U.S. detains more of its own population than any other country in the world. Providing theological education to men and women who are incarcerated in U.S. prisons presents possibilities for mutual transformation, culture shaping, as well as numerous complex challenges. This article reviews the ten years of North Park Theological Seminary’s involvement in this effort in three state prisons in Illinois, drawing out lessons learned in the process. The opportunities and potential pitfalls are presented from a missiological perspective to encourage serious reflection and planning for anyone considering pursuing similar programs among the largely forgotten and virtually unseen millions who are held behind bars in the United States.
Recommended Citation
De Neui, P. H. (2025). I was in Prison and You Educated Me: A Missiological Analysis. Great Commission Research Journal, 17(2), 109-122. Retrieved from https://place.asburyseminary.edu/gcrj/vol17/iss2/7
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Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
