Sixteen Years and Counting Behind Bars in Morgan County Jail
Our journey with jail ministry at Morgan County Jail began in 2008, when Pamela Bolding first had the opportunity to assist with church services for the women. After teaching at Limestone Correctional Facility, the door opened for us to offer our first Jobs for Life classes. Over the past 16 years, God has blessed the NCC and other organizations with a strong partnership with the Sheriff’s office and leadership, allowing us to continue sharing the Gospel and teaching over 28 classes and programs weekly. These efforts help inmates embark on a new path that not only transforms their own lives but also impacts their families and communities.
We are grateful to help oversee these classes and programs, which includes managing daily class rosters, training volunteers, and organizing necessary services. The large number of weekly classes would not be possible without the dedication of the volunteer instructors who come each week, as well as the financial donors who fund Bibles and curriculum. In the past year, over 140 volunteers have completed training to assist with these classes and programs.
Morgan County Jail now has more class activity than any other jail or prison north of Birmingham, making it the most active in the state of Alabama for providing educational and spiritual programs to inmates. What a privilege and responsibility God has given us to serve “the least of these” in Jesus' name. It brings us great joy to witness lives being transformed. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
We are grateful to help oversee these classes and programs, which includes managing daily class rosters, training volunteers, and organizing necessary services. The large number of weekly classes would not be possible without the dedication of the volunteer instructors who come each week, as well as the financial donors who fund Bibles and curriculum. In the past year, over 140 volunteers have completed training to assist with these classes and programs.
Morgan County Jail now has more class activity than any other jail or prison north of Birmingham, making it the most active in the state of Alabama for providing educational and spiritual programs to inmates. What a privilege and responsibility God has given us to serve “the least of these” in Jesus' name. It brings us great joy to witness lives being transformed. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
NCC’s Journey in Prison Ministry
In December 2008, on the men's side of the jail ministry, the Neighborhood Christian Center began its work at Limestone Correctional Facility. Over the course of about 14 months, we taught four days a week, and during that time, 215 inmates graduated from the Jobs for Life program, each receiving 32 hours of training. However, in February 2009, changes were made to the Pre-Release program, which prevented us from continuing to teach Jobs For Life. We were able to teach from 2009-2016 Life’s Healing Choices, with 80 inmates graduating each year. Limestone Correctional Facility is also where Tim Bolding began working with Kairos and Prison Fellowship. We continued to participate in both programs until the onset of COVID-19, which paused our efforts at the facility. We hope to resume classes at Limestone Correctional Facility in 2025.
In 2012, we started teaching classes and hosting half-day seminars at the North Alabama Community Work Center (formerly known as the Decatur Work Release Center). At the request of Chaplain Baggett, we helped plan the start of Kairos at the Work Center, which has since become the most active Kairos site in Alabama since Covid. Jesus Lopez and Art Mann currently teach a weekly class for NCC at the North Alabama Community Work Center.
Following our work at the North Alabama Community Work Center, we expanded to Hamilton Aged & Infirmed Prison, offering classes and half-day seminars. We are expanding to three weekly classes at Hamilton A&I and will continue to hold five special events annually, with help from our volunteers, serving 55 male inmates. Jesus Lopez will start two classes on Tuesdays as part of the CORE program, while Tim Bolding will help lead a weekly Bible study at Hamilton A&I.
In 2012, we started teaching classes and hosting half-day seminars at the North Alabama Community Work Center (formerly known as the Decatur Work Release Center). At the request of Chaplain Baggett, we helped plan the start of Kairos at the Work Center, which has since become the most active Kairos site in Alabama since Covid. Jesus Lopez and Art Mann currently teach a weekly class for NCC at the North Alabama Community Work Center.
Following our work at the North Alabama Community Work Center, we expanded to Hamilton Aged & Infirmed Prison, offering classes and half-day seminars. We are expanding to three weekly classes at Hamilton A&I and will continue to hold five special events annually, with help from our volunteers, serving 55 male inmates. Jesus Lopez will start two classes on Tuesdays as part of the CORE program, while Tim Bolding will help lead a weekly Bible study at Hamilton A&I.
The NCC teaches and assists with classes in the local jail and prison systems 7 days a week. We are very fortunate to be able to teach as many classes as we do. Classes range from Bible studies to general life skills classes like relationships, job skills, and anger management as well as book studies including Boundaries, Purpose Driven Life, and Life's Healing Choices.
Once a class is complete, we have a graduation with certificates and delicious meal. Most of the time, the graduates can't wait until the next class begins. As you an imagine, with around 40-50 classes a week, there is a lot of curriculum and books that go with each class. The NCC chooses to provide, at no cost to the inmate, any books and supplies that are needed for each class. With our Education & Discipleship Ministry being our primary focus, we raise a lot of funds for this one ministry. If you would like to contribute to this ministry, you can donate below. Thank You!
