“We surround ex-offenders with people who speak words of hope that drown out negative voices.”

Allen Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

While most of Canada has come out of pandemic restrictions, prisons remain thoroughly locked down. In prison, internet access is strictly prohibited, which has made prison ministry especially difficult for the past two years.

To help local prison ministries prepare for the eventual re-opening and ensure they are collaborating effectively, the Ottawa Prison Networking Group (PNG) held an afternoon barbecue at Rideauview Bible Chapel.

“[It was] a great opportunity for all PNG members to meet in person and network after COVID,” says Carl Wake, a driving force behind the network. “Everyone heard the latest news about prison ministry in the Ottawa area, and readily identified a perfect niche in which to volunteer.”

The event included live music, food, prayer, testimonies, and plenty of time for the ministry partners and volunteers to mingle and reconnect after two years of separation. PNG, itself, is not a prison ministry, but an umbrella that connects these ministries and helps coordinate their work among prisoners, ex-offenders, and offender families.

“Something as simple as finding meaningful employment can help build a person’s identity and self-worth.”

Wake explains that the network “allows us to update each other and pray together. It’s a place where individual followers of Christ who are interested in prison ministry and inmate aftercare can regularly meet.”

One of the ministries connected with PNG is Whitestone, which helps ex-offenders and ex-addicts connect with a supporting church family, new friends, and a stable job.

“Something as simple as finding meaningful employment can help build a person’s identity and self-worth,” says John Westbrook, one of Whitestone’s directors. “We surround ex-offenders and ex-addicts with people who speak words of hope and encouragement that drown out any negative voices.”

Andre Materman is another PNG member who helped organize the afternoon event. He works with New Connections Ministries/Liberty House, which operates a support home for ex-offenders and supports their rehabilitation.

“Our work provides individuals with the necessary tools, skills, and resources to restore broken or damaged relationships, and build new connections in the community.”

“Many of the men we work with struggle with addictions to alcohol, drugs, and pornography,” he says. “These addictions often cause them to re-offend and be sent back to prison. Even after coming to faith in Jesus, the addictions keep them in bondage, causing great pain to them and their families.”

New Connections Ministries walks with them through this time, helping them break their addictions and deepen their Christian faith.

Sarah Brown was another event participant. Volunteers like her form the life blood of most prison ministries, speaking hope through the challenges ex-offenders face.

“I get a lot of satisfaction helping them connect with Jesus,” she says. “Our work provides individuals with the necessary tools, skills, and resources to restore broken or damaged relationships, and build new connections in the community.”

No-one knows when prisons will lift COVID restrictions, but Ottawa’s prison ministries are working to fully re-engage so their program rollouts will be effective.