“For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” – Romans 3:23
Who understands this reality more than those of us who get caught! The Good News is that God doesn’t abandon us and, dear friends, in His Name we are not to abandon those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law (human or God’s).
What is LCJM?
The Licking County Jail Ministry (LCJM) is a non-profit organization serving the needs of inmates at the Licking County Justice Center on East Main Street in Newark, Ohio since its inception in 1989. This ministry is the shared responsibility of all churches in Licking County.
The LCJM is led by a board of volunteers and guided by a full-time chaplain. Their mission is to provide shared leadership, raise financial support, and coordinate volunteers to care for the inmates of our local jail. It is crucial that we, as the Body of Christ, unite with one another to fulfill Christ’s command to remember the imprisoned. A recent expansion of the Justice center now makes the need for LCJM’s work greater than ever.
What does LCJM do?
LCJM provides a full-time chaplain and 2 assistant Chaplains (on call 24 hours a day) who work with inmates and:
- Provide spiritual counsel and direction for inmates
- Provide crisis intervention/prayer intercession
- Oversee and assist LCJM volunteers
- Offer and lead weekly worship services
- Provide spiritual support for Justice Center staff
LCJM provides spiritual direction and care to inmates by offering:
- Bible Studies led by area volunteers at the jail
- One-on-one mentoring ministry through our “Be a Friend” program
- Regular weekly worship services
- Local clergy visitation opportunities
- Aftercare to inmates upon release
LCJM reaches out to support families of inmates by offering:
- Aunt Mary’s Story Book Project where inmates are recorded reading a children’s story book, and then a copy of the book and the recording on CD are sent to the inmate’s child.
- Belay Ministry where the families of inmates can meet and interact with the families of other inmates for support and guidance.
There are inmates who accept Christ and are baptized EVERY MONTH.
The Jail Ministry is also a great resource. Chaplain Scott Hayes can be reached by phone at (740)670-5170, ext. 2515. If you have questions about the ministry, or if you have a loved one that needs reached out to within the jail, give him a call.
