The Marinette-Menominee Jail Outreach exists to reduce recidivism by helping inmates address the causes of their incarceration. Through weekly meetings held in the two county jails, offenders are encouraged to identify and break their cycles.
Purpose and scope...
Our purpose is to help inmates be delivered from the penalty and bondage of sin. Our members go each Monday to both the Marinette and Menominee jails to meet with inmates, address the causes of their incarceration and help them realize the need for a change of heart. As a result we expect to see the recidivism rate reduced through both jail meetings and follow-up mentoring after their release. We assist released inmates in job placement and housing. We do not deal simply in surface issues with a white-washed apporach, but seek a real change of heart and change of thinking resulting from meeting Christ.In the process of discussing character and heart issues, we also address alcohol and drug abuse and dependency, anger management, relationship impediments, authority issues, personal acccountability, self-respect and respect for others and how each of these things relates to the individual. Our effort focuses on the spiritual needs of the inmates and then the other areas of life which are, by necessity, influenced by it. We do not discuss denominationalism or church doctrine, but simply encourage repentance from sin and the development of a relationship with Christ based upon Biblical teaching, which in turn will positively impact all other areas of their lives. When an inmate is released, we encourage them to attend a local Bible believing church. Training... Each member is periodically provided informational and procedural training. Each participant provides notes to the board from weekly meetings with an inmate. These are reviewed for content. An annual group-training meeting is held to review procedures and discuss topics of concern. All new members go to jail with experienced members. We network with both private and governmental organizations, both locally and nationally, to improve our effectiveness. Who We Are... The Marinette-Menominee Jail Outreach is an incorporated, non-denominational Christian outreach consisting of unpaid volunteers who attend local area churches, and come from diverse backgrounds. These members come from all walks of life. |
What we believe...
Article One We believe the Bible is the infallible inspired Word of God. We believe it is the final authority on all matters pertaining to life, faith, and practice. Article Two We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Article Three We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and His personal return in power and glory. Article Four We believe that salvation is an act of God’s saving grace by the work of His Holy Spirit in regenerating and converting the hearts of men by His free gift of salvation. Article Five We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, the eternal damnation in a literal hell for the wicked, and everlasting life with the living God for the righteous. Article Six We believe that there is but one head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ, and that it is the responsibility of the Church and its institutions to maintain His Lordship over their activities and not submit that right to any individual corporate body, governmental agency or head of state, as long as we conduct ourselves as ambassadors of Christ and live as lawful citizens. Article Seven We believe that every area of life is to be subject to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We adhere to a world and life view which seeks to make the Lord Jesus Christ preeminent in all things. Article Eight We believe that while discipline is unpleasant it is necessary, as Scripture indicates and requires. Discipline and reconciliation must be carried out in accordance with Scripture (including Matt. 18:16-20; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 9-13; 1 Cor. 6:1-5; 2 Thess. 3:6-15, Titus 3:10-11, Prov. 6:16-19). If a member is disciplined, or resigns while in the process of review for disciplinary matters, or leaves under questionable situations, he or she is welcome back only after the Statement of Faith is re-affirmed AND the original issue is reconciled with those involved (whether past or present), in accordance with Scripture. For example, if bearing false witness and/or placing extra-biblical revelation over the authority of God's Word led to a member departing the Outreach, he or she is welcome back only after re-affirming the Statement of Faith, recognizing the final authority of God's Word, and repenting of the sin of false witness. Discipline and reconciliation shall be addressed directly and honestly, regardless of the duration of time, to avoid divisiveness and to honor Christ and His Word. |