Letters for the LORD Prison Ministry

Behind The Gates

2026-11-07T18:11:53.791-06:00

"Behind The Gates".

I am compelled by Jesus Christ to do Prison Ministry! Not because I have all the answers or that I am 'perfect'.

I have never served time, yet I have served 28 years behind the gates since 1998.

Many people ask me how can I go to "those people"? How can I not go? I can't not go! I must!

Jesus called me to serve though I have never done time in a physical cell. But I have been in the prison of sin, needing redemption from Christ. He paid for a full pardon for me on the Cross for my freedom. He has freed me.

From my bondage to habits, hang ups & negative behaviors. No longer do I have to lock myself behind doors of doubt or shame. No longer do I find myself behind a gate of condemnation.

I have been released from the captivity of inferiority. By His mercy & grace, I no longer have to believe the lies I tell myself.

Jesus has pardoned me from personal panic attacks & bouts of anxiety.

I am compelled to go into prison to serve because I know what it's like to lock myself away in an invisible cell of fear. I understand how it can feel like security to isolate ourselves. But Jesus Christ breaks down those walls. He rips away the mask I try to hide behind. No, I don't have all the answers but I know the One who does.

No longer do I feel 'less than' or have feelings of not belonging. I belong to Jesus.

From the very first day of stepping onto the prison yard, I knew I belonged. Not because of a crime committed or injustice done, but because my sisters were there. Even more importantly Jesus is there! I go behind the gates to visit Him.

I can't see them locked behind razor wire or locked in cells & not do anything about it. I must offer them freedom that Jesus gives. I must share that Christ has their full pardon waiting for them & how much He loves them.

For those who already know Him there is encouragement, fellowship, & connection.

The church of Christ is strong behind the gates. They need our support.

Compassion from Jesus sends me & I can't look away from my sisters. They have my heart & changed my life for the better.

Jesus gave me love for them even before I met them. He gave me dreams of their faces & His love for them.

Many years of time has been spent sharing laughter, joy, answers to prayers, as well as tears. Rejoicing over victories & hugs during heartaches.

These women mentor me more than I could ever mentor them.

Culture calls them offenders but we have all offended & broken God's laws. We are all bent toward sin & need Christ.

I have been under the death sentence on death row because of sin & guilt, but Jesus!

He is my Advocate, Defender, Redeemer. He has taken my place & given me eternal life.

He has done it for me & for these women when they call on Him.

Praise the Lord, there is freedom available even behind the gates. Nothing can separate us from Christ's love when we belong to Him, not even razor wire!

I am bound to these women by the love of Christ. His love is not bound by chains. He offers His freedom to all who will come to Him, even in a prison cell.

I am blessed to go behind the gates to watch Jesus work & to see His Spirit open their understanding & unlock their heart, transforming their lives.

I enjoy traveling this road to redemption with them. It's a powerful journey!

Clean Slate

2026-11-05T14:08:00.338-06:00

10th Anniversary Event

2026-11-05T14:07:32.144-06:00

OSBC luncheon

2026-09-25T23:26:15.197-05:00

Review

2026-09-06T19:50:58.221-05:00

My book Letters Of Life [ Incarcerated Women Write Their Younger Selves]

is actual letters from some of my incarcerated sisters at Mabel Bassett CC.

They wrote letters to their younger selves for a class assignment a few years back.

Their words give a glimpse behind the gates and into their personal perspectives.

Something not everyone gets to see.

Their words will inspire you and give you a perspective on the incarcerated that you might not have had before.

The book is available on Amazon and benefits prison ministry.

Get a copy it will bless you.

amazon.com/author/lindaodell

Recovery Month

2026-09-05T21:05:37.177-05:00

September is #NationalRecoveryMonth

People do recover!

Praise Report

2026-09-04T14:27:59.329-05:00

God is good!

Photos

2026-07-04T10:08:59.434-05:00

we had such a fun time for a good cause doing this Walk A Thon

Supporting the women at Mabel Bassett.

Restore Conference

2026-06-23T21:08:40.218-05:00

Mark your calendars!

Prison Fellowship Restore Conference

September 15-16, 2026

National Community Church

Wash DC

Pastor Mark Batterson's church where he pastors and writes so many books. He is one of the speakers.

Get more details at pfm.org/restore

Walk A Thon

2026-06-11T19:16:47.347-05:00

Event ..

The 1st Annual Walk A Thon at Mabel Bassett CC is June 27th. 8am to 9:30am.

Hosted by Women Restoring Oklahoma Coalition which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit started by 4 of the women residents at Mabel.

They have assistance on the outside to help start this effort.

IF you are already an approved badged Okla. DOC volunteer....you are invited to come cheer them on.

But you must get your name on the approval list first.

Send an email requesting you be added to the list no later than June 16th.

james.wall@doc.ok.gov

[Please follow these instructions otherwise you won't be added to the list.]

Get additional info at

WomenROC.net

Reentry After Long Sentences

2026-05-15T14:12:25.859-05:00

Visit the website to read this important report

Sentencingproject.org

Doing His Time

2026-04-30T21:28:00.003-05:00

If you contact DoingHisTime.org

they will send your loved one doing time thos free devotional.

They have other resources also.

Volunteer Week

2026-04-22T12:57:00.005-05:00

Volunteer Week

April 19-25, 2026

Prison 5K Event

2026-04-18T19:19:00.002-05:00

Sunday April 19th, 2026

Prison Ministry at MBCC is having another 5k event.

To support victims of Domestic Violence and to raise Breast Cancer awareness.

Every time the female residents have this 5k the majority of the population participates.

They run, walk, some roll in wheelchairs others walk with walkers. Those who aren't physically able come out and cheer them on.

We volunteers have a fun time with the women. We are so proud of them. And are thankful for prison staff for approval of this event.

April is also Second Chances Month and we all believe in second chances!!

Event

2026-03-26T08:44:00.001-05:00

April is Second Chance Month

2026-03-10T21:48:00.002-05:00

We believe in Second Chances in 2026 and beyond!

Second Chance Month

2026-03-10T21:47:00.001-05:00

April is Second Chance Month 2026.

This is Oklahoma Governor Stitt's

Proclamation for the State of Oklahoma!

Thank you Governor!

Biblical Justice

2026-03-10T16:29:00.001-05:00

Second Chances

2026-03-10T16:28:00.001-05:00

Prison Poetry

2026-03-10T16:27:00.002-05:00

Freedom!

2026-02-18T19:31:00.003-06:00

Freedom looks so good on you Cathy Lamb

2/17/2026.

28th Year

2026-01-19T18:17:00.001-06:00

2026 is my 28th year going behind the gates in Prison Ministry! Praise the Lord!

Project Hope

2026-01-09T16:57:25.077-06:00

Paid Bible Study Program

2026-01-08T15:35:00.002-06:00

Angel Tree 2025

2025-11-16T22:25:00.007-06:00

Help get gifts to children who have incarcerated parents this Christmas.

Hosted by Melisha Johnson Director of Jesus Is The Key To Reentry Podcast and The Compassionate Advocate in Georgia.

Call 706-631-6389

email: admin@jesusisthekeypodcast.org