The Pender Development Fund
P. O. Box 1058
Burgaw, NC 28425
Links:
"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
Chapel Programs
The Religious Services
Department at Pender Correctional Institution plans and conducts from 30 to
45 religious programs each week. In 2007 inmate attendance at the programs
of the Religious Services Department totaled 15,660. Some programs draw a
small number of inmates while others draw large numbers. These programs may
be worship services, study programs, fellowship activities, concerts or
programs aimed at helping the men be better fathers.
Approximately 145 religious volunteers assist with the ministry contributing
6,000 hours per year. At the present time many programs must meet in
borrowed spaces when and where available. Scheduling is very difficult and
not conducive to the quality of ministry needed. Religious programming
provides each inmate with a positive influence better equipping him to have
a change of heart, leading him to put away a life of crime and become a
productive citizen upon release. Unfortunately, inmates have had to be
turned away on occasion from programming that they wished to attend due to
lack of space.
The new chapel will allow for the expansion of the ministry options in the
prison, providing adequate space for all the functions.