Webinar: Mass Incarceration and Returning Citizens

The National Benevolent Association and Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are proud to offer a 3-part webinar series focused on congregational and general church involvement in prison and jail issues.

Educational Webinar 1: Mass Incarceration and the Returning Citizen – Tools to equip congregations to respond, welcome and engage

During this webinar we share information about the overcrowded prison situation in the United States and the rates of recidivism. We discuss how to become a welcoming and hospitable congregation and the importance of working behind the bars and then beyond the bars. We offer a brief introduction of two organizations, Prison Congregations of America and Mission Behind Bars and Beyond, both of which are currently leaders in the work of re-entry.

Facilitators: Rev. Dean W. Bucalos, Mission Specialist for NBA Prison and Jail Ministries, and Rev. April G. Johnson, Minister of Reconciliation for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Moderator: Rev. Monica Wedlock Kilpatrick, NBA Director of Disciples Care Exchange & Affinity Groups

About the NBA Prison and Jail Affinity Group

The National Benevolent Association (NBA) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is excited to initiate a collaborative ministry addressing justice issues within America’s prisons and jails. In particular, NBA will focus on supporting congregations as they engage in prison and jail related ministries and in connecting conversations across Disciples-related ministries in order to strengthen this work.

As part of the NBA’s strategic initiatives, Rev. Dean Bucalos has been contracted with the NBA as a mission specialist for prison and jail ministries. Throughout the life of the Disciples church, ministries such as the Disciples Center for Public Witness, Reconciliation Ministry, and Disciples Home Missions have been engaged in advocacy efforts related to prison and jail ministries. Contact us to get involved!