We are ha​ppy you are interested in the Pen Pal for Jesus Ministry. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37. Most of the inmates who contact us are already Christians and some are new Christians. Occasionally we hear from unsaved inmates who are in need of someone to show them how to be born again, and they have indicated this on their application. If that is the case, we have already sent them material about how to be born again. Many have been receiving our Quarterly Newsletter while they were waiting for a pen pal.  We are so blessed and privileged to be allowed to lead many inmates to the Lord. They all need encouragement and prayer!

Since we started Pen Pal for Jesus in 2012, we have ministered to over 800 inmates in institutions in 41 states with our Pen Pals for Jesus ministry, our intercessory prayer service, and our outreach ministries.

Most inmates we minister to are lonesome and have been deserted by their families when they become incarcerated.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Does the inmate have to know my whereabouts? Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, we ask you to use our address here at Disciple of Christ Ministries. You will instruct your inmate pen pal to reply to you (First Name only) c/o Pen Pals for Jesus for your protection. We then put the letter into another envelope and send it on to you.

I don’t have anything in common with an inmate. What can I say to them? You will receive the inmate’s information which includes his or her name, address, birthday, hobbies and their spiritual needs. Then once you begin corresponding, you will be able to talk about things he/she mentions in the reply letters, give advice, pray for them, and give them encouragement regarding whatever particular problems they are facing.

Do I have to belong to Disciple of Christ Ministries to be a pen pal? Not at all. We have pen pals from other churches and some from other States. We welcome all born again believers.

Can I visit or call the inmate? No. Each prison facility has many restrictions such as: no photos, no visits, no money sent, no phone calls, no stamps, and no books from the pen pal volunteers. We could possibly lose our good standing with the prison facility if these rules were violated.

What if I get too busy one month to write? You may want to send a greeting card and let them know you will write soon. Or you can send copies of Christian articles you feel might minister to them, from any Christian magazines you may subscribe to, along with a short note.

I am very busy; do I have to come to meetings? No. The best part of being a pen pal is that you can have your own ministry right out of your own home. It’s a great ministry for shut-ins, stay at home moms, the handicapped, someone who has no transportation, retirees, people who have free time on their job, or for someone who wants to be in ministry but has little time for ministry meetings, events, fundraisers, etc.

What can I expect to receive out of this ministry? According to one of our volunteers, “You will receive blessings on top of blessings, new friends, and the joy of being used by God in the life of a needy person.” Even small things I have said myself in letters are appreciated beyond my wildest expectations.... that’s when I know the Holy Spirit is working through me and this ministry!”

We are constantly in need of more pen pal volunteers. At this moment we have over 400 applications from inmates waiting in our office for volunteers to begin writing them. Some of our volunteers are writing more than 1 inmate because we just don't have enough help. God is truly bringing in a harvest through this ministry - and we need workers to help bring it in!

If you think you might be interested in helping in this area of our ministry, please fill out the Volunteer Information Form, or if you have any questions not answered by this page, please call 617-237-9607. If we are not immediately available, please leave me a message and I will get right back to you.

Dennis Dockham

Founder/Ordained Christian Minister

Dear Christian Friends,

We are a group of Christians reaching out to the lonely men and women in prison. Most of the inmates contacting us have already accepted Jesus or they are seeking God. All of them are lonely, discouraged, and rejected; in need of a caring friend.

Jesus has a special place in His heart for hurting people and He calls us to minister to their need. In Mathew 25:35-36, Jesus says “I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.”  Then He explains “In as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.”  In Luke 5:32-32, Jesus says ” Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”  Please also read Psalms 107:9-16, Isaiah 42:7, and 2Cor.5:17.

PLEASE, WON’T YOU CONSIDER HELPING?

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Mat 25:44-45

Volunteers in all areas, such as our outreach ministry, prayer team, Prison ministry are always needed! We are a completely volunteer organization.

Please contact Dennis Dockham to learn ALL the ways in which you and your Church can serve this ministry.

Write a prisoner

Be a Pen Pal who can make a difference in someone’s life! Please click the link below to fill out our short registration form. (Check your JUNK mail folder for replies)

Write to a inmate

Register a prisoner

Register a prisoner to receive mail from Pen Pals for Jesus! Please click the link below to fill out our short registration form. (Check your JUNK mail folder for replies)

Register a inmate

You can help

Pen Pals for Jesus is a faith based ministry which depends on donations to help with the costs of our mailings, and operating cost. We need your help to keep this service available to inmates. If you believe this work is worthy, please consider giving!



Send stamps or checks made out to:

Pen Pals for Jesus

Disciple of Christ Ministries

PO Box 221

North Quincy, MA 02171