The Holy Spirit is on the move in prisons, and He is targeting the wounded hearts of women inmates. According to prison ministry Daughters of Destiny, in the last year, more than 20,000 inmates have attended evangelism events, and more than 7,500 have made decisions to follow Christ.
Daughters of Destiny is a prison ministry dedicated to spreading the gospel and seeing women inmates give their lives to Jesus Christ. They hold Bible meetings and evangelism events in 203 detention facilities in 25 states across America.
“There’s an excitement and fervor for God. In the past, 7 to 10 percent of the inmates at a facility might attend our meetings. Now we’re seeing 30 to 90 percent,” said Annie Goebel of Daughters of Destiny.
The Colorado Springs, Colo.-based ministry is run by founders Annie and husband Mel Goebel, and approximately 850 trained volunteer staff. They teach and nurture all the women who respond in faith and relationship with Jesus Christ through their ministry that begins while the women are incarcerated and continues after their release back into the community.
“More than 1 million women in the United States are incarcerated,” Annie says. “Many of these women are young wives and mothers. The majority of them want to change, to make better choices when they return to society. They need to know that God changes all who ask Him.”
Annie told the Christian Post that 90 percent of women in prisons were abused at some point in their lives and more than 80 percent are sexual abuse cases. “The women that are incarcerated are usually damaged little girls that feel they have no value, are alone and unloved,” she explained. “So they are making choices in life based on those beliefs and those choices are very self-destructive.”
The Daughters of Destiny team strives to bring hope and healing to these women. When they are released from prison, the women continue their development through a program called Discipleship Network. This provides face-to-face interaction with leaders who help ease the former inmates back into society. The volunteers also assist the women through the challenges of finding employment, housing, a local church, and learning to develop healthy relationships.
“We are experiencing revival in women’s prisons through the U.S,” Mel said. “We see a movement of repentance, and as a result the women inside are passionate to share their faith with others in prison.”
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