The Shamong Sun
For 26 years and counting, Saints Prison Ministry continues to reach out to a group of people often forgotten about by those in society.
In 1982, Dale Glading felt a burden on his heart to combine his love of Jesus Christ and his passion for sports to minister to those who needed it most. After years of thought and prayer, Glading formed an all-Christian softball team in 1987 with the idea of competing against and ministering to the incarcerated. He proceeded to contact several area prison chaplains and recreation directors to schedule games. The first game played by the team, originally named The South Jersey Saints, was on June 6, 1987.
After playing only five games that first summer, the Saints’ schedule more than doubled the following season.
“If we say we want to come in and do a chapel service, we’ll have very few in attendance,” says Northeast Regional Director Eric Van Pelt. “But if it’s a sporting event? They will attend.”
As word spread and popularity grew, a volleyball team was formed, then a basketball team in 1989. Teams go into prisons to compete against inmate varsity and all-star teams. During halftime at each game or between games, one of the players shares their testimony and another player presents the gospel message.
Headquartered in Moorestown, today Saints Prison Ministry has 13 teams visiting 400 different prisons. Their southern headquarters in Georgia oversees Carolina and Virginia operations, while the western branch is located in Colorado Springs, Colo. There are now soccer teams to go along with volleyball, softball and basketball. They partner with local churches for fundraising, as well as interested people who want to get involved. They have volunteers from almost 50 churches.
On May 18, the Lady Saints volleyball team will be hosting a spaghetti dinner at the Shawnee Baptist Church from 4 to 7 p.m. The church is located at 303 Oakshade Road in Shamong. There is no charge for the dinner but donations will be accepted. All the proceeds will go directly to the team’s fundraising goal.
Van Pelt, who oversees teams in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, admits there is a trepidation factor of volunteering within prison walls.
“The first time, when you hear those gates close behind you, of course it’s nerve wracking. You know the only direction you’re headed is further into the prison,” he said.
But that initial trepidation is quickly overcome.
“We’ve had people working in this ministry for 20 years who describe it as going and visiting with friends. The relationships have developed that much,” Van Pelt says.
In addition to ministering through sport, Saints Prison Ministry also has a birthday card outreach program. Inmates receive a hand-signed birthday card on their birthdays along with a newsletter designed specifically for inmates. Many volunteers act as pen pals to the incarcerated as well. Their discipleship programs work with the recently released to help them find work as well as a church to attend.
For more information about the event or Saints Prison Ministry, visit www.saintsprisonministry.org
