Prison Ministry - Page 6

Jesus said: “I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”. (Matt. 25:43-45 NIV)

For some years, there has been an ongoing prison ministry in the PCU. By the providence of God, we believe that the Lord opened up a possibility to witness to the prisoners in Uganda. Some of our pastors have for quite a long time, been involved in this type of ministry in their local area, being allowed to testify to prisoners where they already have established churches. By God’s grace, hundreds of prisoners have accepted Jesus as savior and been set free from spiritual bondage even though they might be inmates. Officially this ministry was inaugurated by Rev. Trygve Korneliussen who came to be given permission to visit in particular Luzira Prison in Kampala. Others were involved slowly by slowly both nationals and missionaries and a team was formed that planned the visits and preached to the inmates at regular intervals. It is a very special experience to be able to testify to prisoners, some of them even in the condemned section. It it likewise amazing to see the change in their lives as they received the Lord Jesus into their hearts. “The one forgiven much lovest much” the Lord said. In prisons there are generally many needs and the PCU was able to contribute to these needs in terms of clothing, some foodstuff and even Bibles. A few years the PCU prison ministry took pain to bring food to the inmates at Christmas in a prison at Baulaula, about 100 km from Kampala. This happened in 1997 and was repeated even in 1998. 
Another missionary family that have been involved in this ministry is Milla and Hannu Happonen. At the moment we find a Norwegian couple Heidi and  want to Trond Inge Midling Larsen, who have felt a special calling to this ministry. They are right now involved in a project connected to Baulaula Prison, called “Project Restoration”. If you look at the projects website, the address is: This is sponsored by NORAD through PCU. In this project we find other nationals involved as well forming a team with the best of the prisoners in mind. It is important to show practical love and Christian compassion towards the most unfortunate and remember the words of Jesus that “whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. In Luzira there are in particular two places were we have seen God’s hand at work. One of these places is the condemned section in men’s prison were there are many men awaiting their penalty. In the condemned section there are now about 100 saved inmates who praise the Lord. Many of them did not know Jesus as free men. But when they were imprisoned they realized their need for salvation and accepted Jesus. Then they were spiritually delivered. The other place is the Luzira women prison were a group of ladies have visited regularly. Many of the women inmates have received Jesus as savior and despite their condition they have the joy of the Spirit in their hearts. These women have also received new Bibles and continue to read and be edified.