Old Roads Prison Ministry

My name is Margaret Anne Smith, and I am the director of a full-time, not-for-profit ministry called Old Roads Ministries Inc.   By trade, I am a professional singer, and this gift, along with my husband Terry's job, helps to underwrite our work. 

In Matthew 25:36 God told us to not only take care of the widows and orphans, but to also visit those who are in prison.  I guess you can say I take God's Word literally, since this is what my husband and I have done for 20 years.  Some might know us from our mission work in Jamaica, but most recognize us by the work we do in the prisons here at home and abroad.

Of the offenders who are incarcerated, about 75 percent are nonviolent, yet they are being housed with violent inmates, and are subject to be influenced by them while paying their debt to society. Instead, they could be reconciling a debt through many more positive ways, such as community service.

Another fact we do not give enough consideration is that more than 80 percent of all offenders will be released.  They will need a place to live and work, and for all practical purposes, it will be next door to someonw you know  or love.  Wouldn't you rather have that person living or working next to you with a new lease on life, or better still a relationship with the living Lord?  That is what compels us and other members of Southeast Christian Church to keep going to prisons.

We sincerely believe that when men's or women's hearts are changed, their lives will follow!  Most people will never be in a prison to visit or minister, yet for the few of us that do so regularly, we are in consant need of volunteers in many ways - to pray; to go with us, and to donate needed supplies for programs.  For the last three years, our ministry has organized and sponsored Christmas services at four institutions in Kentucky.  Although there are many more we could serve at this very lonely time of the year, God has opened the doors for us at Luther Luckett in LaGrange, Lee County Adjustment Center in Beattyville, Federal Correction Corporation in Manchester, and Bell County Forestry Camp in Middlesboro.

Year after year, with the help of the Lord, our wonderful Peacemakers Adult Bible Fellowship Class, and a handful of faithful volunteers, like Bill and Beth Filiatreau, it is possible for us to spread a little joy to those who might not otherwise receive a gift or correspondence from the outside world.  The Filiatreaus help coordinate at Luther Luckett, one of the largest insitutions we serve.

Many of the 5,000 prisoners with whom we share,  only come out because they know they will be receiving something free, but while they are there, we share the love of Christ with them through songs, skits, literature, and one-on-one time.

In the long run, when the ground work is done at Christmas time, through these gifts, the inmates are more likely to come to other Bible studies and services throughout the year.  The supplies let each inmate know there are people who really care and want him to understand the love of Christ, and to understand he is valuable in our eyes and in God's, and that he is not forgotten.

I cannot begin to tell you how much we have been able to accomplish, year after year, with the few resources and manpower we have had, but we do know that God makes a way when we walk in faith and trust in Him!