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Carmen Ministries

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)
WHY PRISON MINISTRY?

God has a heart for the lost and forsaken. 

He came "to seek and save the lost!" If He were here right now, would He neglect the marginalized, the down-trodden, the outcasts and the criminals? Or would He run to them with open arms and pour His endless love upon them?

The following Scripture passages can answer that better than I can.
  • "I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:36)
  • "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)
  • "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:6-7)
  • "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love him?" (James 2:1-5)
     
At Carmen Ministries, our goal is to recognize the dignity and worthiness of all God's children. He loves all of us without ceasing. No matter how far any of us may fall, we trust that no one is beyond His mercy and power of redemption.

Please consider one of the many ways you can help the young men we minister to. 
  • Participate in ministry events
  • Purchase a gift for a prisoner's child/family member at Christmas
  • Provide stamps for prisoners for communicating with family members
  • Lead a Bible study
  • Make a donation 
These are just a few ideas but we are only limited by the bounds of our creativity.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." 
Romans 8:28

NOTES FROM THE YOUNG MEN 
 
"Thank you for coming to volunteer every Thursday and to preach the good word to us. You're changing us for the better, helping us each day. Without your prayers and commitment to us on Thursdays, the nights would be filled with nothing but annoyance. So we thank you. "



"I look forward to being able to put my life back together in here. I would like to know if you could possibly send me a pair of shoes? Size 13. I do not have shoes that fit me and it would really help my situation. I don't have much support from my family as of now. I'm sorry to ask. Once I have a job, I will be able to provide for myself. I thank you for being there for me when nobody else has been."



"I pray and thank God for you daily. God is still working things out for my good. I've been keeping busy staying true to God. I've joined the choir here. I've also been playing the keyboard for the church service and singing. I wish you could see some of the things God is doing in this place. I've seen people get saved. I've seen God get some people released out of the blue. I've seen people get healed from cancer and so much more. I know that prayer changes things! I'm confident that God is moving in my situation as well."



"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will set your paths straight."

Proverbs 3-5

OUR YOUNG MEN PRAY

I want to ask God for guidance. Lead me. Turn me away from this world. I pray that God uses me. I give my mind, soul and body to Him.

I would like to pray for my Mom, who is on drugs and my Grandma, who the devil won't leave alone. I am going through hell and I have no one to listen to me.

I pray for God to continue to give me strength and guidance and help. I'm tired of doing things on my own and in my way. I want to do it with Him and do things His way. I want my wife to accept Him and have a strong relationship with God like I do. I want her to see the goodness and the grace and His kind, unconditional love. I just want to be better and do God's will. Every day that I become closer to God, it gets harder and harder. But if Job could go through what he went through and his faith not dwindle, mine won't either. 

I would like you to pray for me to help me find forgiveness in myself for my Mother's death and remove the guilt and hatred in my heart.

Pray that God removes any demonic or spiritual curses from my life. Allow me to remain humble and stay focused.

I pray for the weak who need you, that they become strong; for the sick, that by Your will they'll be healed; and for those searching, that you guide them to You.

I pray that I come closer to God, that I stop sinning, and that all my dreams/goals come true. I pray that my Mother is okay with her cancer. Forgive me for my bad judgments. Forgive me for sinning. Amen.

I pray that you help remove my anger issues and for peace within myself. I pray for a close brother of mine - for his family to heal physically and spiritually. I pray to remove the devil's temptation upon me, because he is trying to break our bond; but I pray we stay connected and overcome this. I pray for those who are dear to me and those I love and care about. And please just keep on waking me up everyday. 



CHECK OUT OUR NEWLY DESIGNED WEBSITE
 

We recently updated our website. We hope the new design makes it quicker and easier to find and access the information you are looking for. Visit the Carmen Ministries' website.


DINNER THEATER AND SILENT AUCTION

On Saturday, October 6, 2018, Carmen Ministries and Act 1 Productions  co-sponsored a Dinner Theater and Silent Auction. "Seeing in the Darkness - The Life & Story of Fanny J. Crosby." The event was held at The Willows Restaurant & Catering, 288 Anderson Road, Asbury, NJ.  

Funds raised from the event were  used towards Carmen Ministries' operating expenses and to finance the Ministries' Cousin Ellis Scholarship Fund.

The Cousin Ellis Scholarship is awarded to a young man who consistently demonstrates Christian character and integrity against insurmountable odds.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 

Carmen Ministries held our annual Christmas celebration on December 22, 2018. We were able to serve dinner, desserts and refreshments at the Voorhees Residential Group Home in Glen Gardner, NJ. Jerry Palmieri, a member of the NY Giants staff for twelve years and a volunteer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in North Jersey, was our guest speaker. It was a very inspirational night and included testimonies of lives transformed through the power of the Gospel! Thank you to all who made this event possible.

SUPPORT CARMEN MINISTRIES

Please consider supporting Carmen Ministries in Hackettstown, NJ online through the  Amazon Smile  program.

Alternatively, you can lend your support to Carmen Ministries by donating directly online through PayPal.   

Thank you!

OUR MISSION

To provide every youthful offender the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel, to grow in his or her relationship with Christ, and to become a responsible contributing adult.

Please Note:

Names of the incarcerated have been omitted or changed to provide anonymity. Content may have been edited and condensed with the intent of preserving the author's original message.