Discipling Operational Christians Outreach To Inmates

I began working with this ministry several years ago and have been so tremendously blessed by it. I have the privilege of editing the monthly newsletter and I get to review all of the testimonies, letters, poems and articles that these men and women submit. The backgrounds for most are heartbreaking. But many thank God for loving them enough to place them in prison to stop their negative behavior and save their lives, directing them to a reformed life with Christ. Christ said, "What you do to the least of these you do to me." By showing love, acceptance and forgiveness to those ministry members, lives are being transformed. There is very little that occurs behind walls that will reform inmates, but encouraging them to ask for God's forgiveness and allowing him to work in their hearts and minds, is bringing peace and healing to some very broken people.

I was introduced to DeAnn Plaskett and D.O.C. Ministries around 5 or so years ago by a friend that attends my home church. I was looking for a ministry that reached out to inmates who were interested in living a new way of life. What I found was a group of people who are passionate about showing God’s Love and Grace to anybody who asks for it.
D.O.C. supports, and encourages hundreds – if not thousands- of inmates that are paying their dues to society by being in prison. Some are people with very serious crimes that will never see the outside world again. Some are even facing death row. Some are getting close to getting out, and some are even outside in the free world.
This ministry lends a listening ear, gives relentless prayer, and provides constant support for the undesirables of the community by showing the Love that Christ has told us to show towards our neighbors.
D.O.C. also provides resources to men and women, who are getting close to release and have nowhere to go. There is a whole list of places and establishments who provide food, clothing and shelter for people in need. D.O.C. searches for these resources for inmates who ask for them, and provides them with addresses and phone numbers before they get out so they can make plans for success when they get out.
All in all, what I have seen from D.O.C. is commitment, and compassion(…mixed with enough caution to stay safe!) that makes an organization true and strong. D.O.C. is an amazing entity that truly makes a difference in people’s lives!

I have been involved with this ministry for several years and joined not long after I was released from prison. I was one of the lucky ones who had the full support of my family while I was incarcerated; I can testify to the fact that I was witness to many men behind the walls who had no support. This is one of the rare prison ministries that encourages its members to mentor one another and study the Word of God as a family of Christians. In a day when there are few resources for men and women who have been in prison, D.O.C. stands as a beacon of light and support. Every effort we make helps to keep men and women from returning to prison; People who then can then develop a productive life that can often make a difference for a community, a spouse, or the children who are all too often left behind. This ministry is on track to open a house that will help members who have no place to go upon release with resources and a temporary place to stay while coordinating a plan to get those resources needed to stay out for good. This is all about changed lives in a society that often does not feel change is possible. God bless.

I became a member to D.O.C. in 2007 while I was iincarcerated.the entire terms I have done D.O.C. staff have always been supportive with scriptures and positive encouraging letters followed by scriptures.DeAnn or another volunteer always wrote a personal letter to each member who wrote with encouraging words never once being judgmental it is a TRUE Blessing that the Lord provided Brother Damon the vision that got D.O.C. started I thank our Heavenly Father for D.O.C. and the fellow brother's and sister's that are all part of D.O.C. thank you Jesus

Sincerely
Michael Silence

Having been in prison, I can attest to the love exhibited by D.O.C. Not only did DeAnn and Michael encourage me during my time inside, they have continued to support and provide resources for me upon my release. Making it outside the fence is not easy, as evidenced by the high rate of recidivism. However, it has been proven that those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ have a much lower rate of re-offending. D.O.C. Ministries leads prisoners and parolees into a closer relationship with their Lord and Savior, thereby helping keep them out of prison.

I have been working as a volunteer for D.O.C. for five years now. It has been a wonderful experience watching the ministry evolve and grow from an outreach to approximately 2,500 inmates to over 4,000.
When I was typing testimonies for the newsletter, I was most impressed by some words by a death row inmate who took the time to warn others against criminal behavior. He had been touched by the ministry and wished to reach out and help in his last few days. That is what I see in D.O.C., people helping others get back on their feet in a positive way. Deborah C Wiederhold