The Pender Development Fund
P. O. Box 1058
Burgaw, NC 28425
Links:
Religious Programs at Pender Correctional Institution
"Remember those in prison as if
you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you
yourselves were suffering."
Hebrews 13:3
The Process
The CRC has already gotten commitments for much of the cost of building the RSC. The architect has estimated that it will cost about $500,000.00 to build the proposed structure. The Department of Correction has provided the building site and will assume the maintenance of the building and provide the utilities. The North Carolina Baptist Men have committed themselves to enlisting the labor to actually construct the building, saving us many thousands of dollars. The CRC has sought grant money from several foundations to help with the building materials. The CRC is looking to the faith communities of SE North Carolina to help with this expense as well. The CRC believes that we need to raise $150,000.00 from the faith communities of the area for this building to become a reality. On the one hand that sounds like a lot of money, but if the 800+ faith communities in the four county area surrounding the prison would contribute as little as $5.00 per member, we could build the RSC this year.
In Hebrews 13:3 the author admonishes the believers to “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners”. The inmates at PCI do not have any choices about where to worship. They can only use what is provided for them. Chuck Colson has said “If you only educate a criminal, all you will have is a smarter criminal. You have to change his heart.” Much is made of ‘rehabilitation programs’ in prison, but the reality is that the only programs that attempt to change the hearts of inmates are the religious programs. The Religious Services Center at PCI is a very great need that the faith communities of southeastern North Carolina can help to provide so that God can use it to change the hearts of inmates.
Won’t you seriously consider God’s will about your participation in this effort?