- What is a "counselor?"
- How do I become a counselor?
- What happens during a Weekend of Excitement?
- Where can I find a registration application?
- How can I communicate with an inmate?
- Is there a participation fee?
- What other ministry opportunities does MBM offer?
- How can I support Mike Barber Ministries?
- What are the latest prison statistics?
What is a “counselor?”
A counselor is a free-world volunteer that goes into the prisons with Mike Barber Ministries to help us share with the inmates the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We take male counselors only into the men's prisons and female counselors only into the women's prisons. We are blessed to have the hand of God's favor that allows us to take the counselors back into the inmates' living areas to share with them on a one-to-one basis. This is what we call cell-to-cell visitation. During this time, inmates who probably would never attend a "church" service are reached with the gospel. It is also a time when inmates receive much needed individual discipling, encouragement and prayer. There is absolutely no substitute for an inmate having the undivided attention of a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ to look directly into their eyes, listen to what they have to say, love them, and encourage and pray for them. At MBM, counselor is another word for "friend" (John 15:13-14).
How do I become a counselor?
Mike Barber Ministries is a Christian organization committed to presenting salvation and spiritual renewal through Jesus Christ to men and women behind bars. Our counselors are men and women who have a personal relationship with God through the experience of the new birth that comes from believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior. They are people who have the willingness, availability, and boldness to be a witness for Jesus. Applications to register as a counselor for each Weekend of Excitement are sent out to our counselor mailing list prior to each weekend. A Completed registration form is required for participation. It is not required that you participate in every weekend. We are happy to have you whenever you are available.
What happens during a Weekend of Excitement?
Counselors arrive for a Weekend of Excitement on Friday morning at a hotel in the vicinity of the unit we are visiting. They then complete the registration process, and get an orientation session. A short free time period allows you to eat and get ready to head out to the unit. Most units are a 15-45 minute drive from the hotel. We arrive at the unit and begin cell-to-cell ministry as soon as possible. Late in the afternoon a service is held, either outdoors in the tent or indoors in the chapel or gym.
Saturday's schedule begins with breakfast and a prayer meeting. This is a special time we set aside to minister to our counselors and enter into a time of unified prayer for the day ahead in prison. The afternoon schedule is the same as Friday. After the service on Saturday night, counselors are dismissed to return home or spend an additional night in the hotel, usually by 8:30.
Where can I find a registration application?
There are several places. Fill out the ONLINE COUNSELOR APPLICATION, or EMAIL us and we'll send you an application. Once you're on the mailing list, we'll send you applications for individual weekends in plenty of time for you to get signed up. Also, some churches keep a quantity of registration forms on-hand. If you would like your church to receive registration forms for distribution to church members, please have a staff member contact us at our office at (972)223-3131, 9am-5pm CST.
How can I communicate with an inmate?
The Departments of Criminal Justices set very strict guidelines regarding communications with inmates. It must be by US Postal Service mail (no, inmates do not have access to e-mail), and every piece of mail going in and out of a unit is inspected for content and contraband. You may write letters directly to an inmate if you know his/her inmate number and the unit address. Just remember... don't promise to write to an inmate and then fail to follow-through. These men and women have had enough broken promises. Wisdom dictates that you not use your personal address to correspond with an inmate. The protection of a post office box is ideal, or you may have the inmate write to you in care of MBM, PO Box 1086, DeSoto TX 75123-1086. We'll be happy to forward the letter to you.
Is there a participation fee?
There are no participation fees. For counselors who do not live withing driving distance of the prison, Mike Barber Ministries makes arrangements at an area hotel for a block of rooms at a special rate. The address and phone number of the hotel are provided on the application. Each counselor is responsible for his/her own hotel reservations, as well as food and transportation.
What other ministry opportunities does MBM offer?
Like most ministries, there are always envelopes to stuff, and we can usually use additional help preparing for the next "Weekend of Excitement." If you live the the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and have some spare time, call and ask about volunteer work opportunities. Be a part of working in one of largest mission fields in the world! Let us know how you can help.
How can I support Mike Barber Ministries?
It's the generosity of faithful partners who believe in our ministry, and support us through their offerings and love gifts that allow us to keep going. As God continues to use us in profound ways, we have to believe in faith that God will provide the funds to complete His vision. And He is definitely taking us in some directions that are very expensive to follow! Individual supporters are the lifeline of this ministry. Your financial support can mean reaching another inmate or extending our outreach into another prison unit. Simply donate here or mail your donation to Mike Barber Ministries, P.O. Box 1086, DeSoto, TX 75123-1086. You may also sign up online to become a partner. God bless you!
What are the latest prison statistics?
85% of all inmates are eventually released due to overcrowding. Eight of 10 will likely be back in prison within three years.
50% of inmates released from prison commit an average of 162 crimes per year. 40% commit less than 10 per year. The remaining 10% commit between 500 and 600 crimes per year.
Crime costs in the United States are $425 billion annually.
According to the national bestseller, “The Day America Told the Truth,” crime is 600% higher than what the media presents to the public.
According to CNN, America fills 1,100 new prison beds every day, at a cost of 70 - 80 million dollars per prison.
It costs you, the taxpayer, $16 billion per year to operate the U.S. prison system.
At the present rate of incarceration, it is estimated that one half of America will be in prison 55 years from now.
To imprison one person for life (30 years) costs the taxpayers over $1,000,000.
Since 1985, the total number of inmates in the custody of State and Federal prisons and local jails has more than doubled.
