House of Praise Church
HIS will is that NONE PERISH, BUT THAT ALL COME TO REPENTANCE
2 Peter 3:9
Hedges & Hi-Ways Prison Outreach
"And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14:23").
PRAISE THE LORD! Hedges and Hi-Ways is an ANOINTED Prison Ministry that was founded by the late, Evangelist Chet Davenport and Minister Lois Davenport Gardner. The ministry was started in 1985, with its headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1987, Hedges and Hi-Ways was organized as a nonprofit organization.
Since 1986, Hedges and Hi-Ways Prison Ministry has actively engaged in providing counseling and "Holy Spirit" filled services to inmates and parolees, on a weekly basis.
Currently, Hedges and Hi-Ways Prison Ministry is under the covering of House of Praise CHURCH. Together, with Minister Lois Gardner as the anointed Director, they continue to Honor God by reaching out to male and female inmates, and their families, all over the country. (primarily ALABAMA).
Their services include:
- Social services, designed to aid paroled ex-offenders in their re-entry and re-adjustment to society after their period of incarceration.·
- Weekly visits to correctional institutions for Christian, Spiritual and motivational sessions, to evoke mind and heart changes.·
- Referrals for informal job counseling.·
- Referrals for G.E.D. and educational opportunities.·
- Counseling and referrals for Housing.
For 25 years, Minister Lois Gardner has been faithfully committed to her call. Her love and loyalty to Jesus, has endowed her with the determination to continue. After the death of Evangelist Chet Davenport, she grasped the courage to become the ACTIVE "Visionary" and is striving to complete their mission.
She encourages herself with the Word of God. "It is God that has girded me with strength for the battle". (Psalm 18:32 and 39).
Her passion for inmates, closely mirrors the face of Jesus. She believes that everyone has a commission to go out into the Hedges and Hi-Ways and compel "ALL" to come to Christ (LUKE 14:23).
"SEMI-ANNUAL" AND "CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS"
Ho-Ho -Ho! Meet The "Jesus Christ" Helpers!
Mrs. Reese and her 5th Grade Class at " Holy Family Cristo Rey
Catholic Academy" were eager to give a helping hand.
Even the teenagers at Wenonah High School, pitched in to help SPREAD a little "HOLIDAY CHEER" TO THE INMATES, DURING OUR CHRISTMAS COMPILATION! Thank You guys for your donations. GOD BLESS YOU!
DO YOU HAVE a friend or a loved one that is incarcerated? Many "CHRISTIAN" people say, "Oh, they are just criminals! I will do nothing to help them". And, they don't! That is, until EITHER they or their loved one is locked up. It looks and "feels different" from the other side of those "BARS". WE KNOW! Basically, we are there every week.
Our job, as Christians, includes, 'SHOWING LOVE AND KINDNESS', EVEN TO THE "UNLOVABLE", DOESN'T IT? Why? To DRAW THEM TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! (JEREMIAH 31:3). IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO "JUDGE OR TO PUNISH" OTHERS. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
This is why each year, we begin our SEMI-ANNUAL compilation of thousands of gift bags.
For Christmas, we start our delivery the first part of December, and continue throughout "Christmas Day"! Our "Second Delivery" begins in the month of June! These bags contain only the "basic" hygiene items for inmates. The Department of Corrections have over 31,000 inmates, incarcerated throughout the State of Alabama (male and female).
Most of these men, and/or women, get NOTHING for Christmas or throughout the year, from family or loved ones. Unless God touches an outsiders' heart to care and respond, many are left in a hurting state, ALL YEAR LONG!
It is with Gods' help through "caring individuals", that we have been able to prepare the number of bags that we have, in the past. Still, so many others are left out! Desperately, we desire to be able to serve them, all.
How sad it is to see inmates in "dirty garments", and it is even worse to "smell" (SOME) of their bodies, simply because they do not have the luxury of things, that WE often take for granted. (Basic Toiletries). THANK GOD FOR CARING AND "GOD-FEARING" Wardens and Chaplains, that allow us to bring these much needed items to the inmates. Upon receiving one of these small bags, we do not have words to express their "tearful" gratitude.
LISTEN, WE KNOW THAT MANY OF "YOU" GIVE TO A LOT OF CHARITABLE AND "GOOD" CAUSES! (SO DO WE). HOWEVER, LET US REMEMBER THAT:
"EVERY GOOD THING, IS NOT A GOD THING"!
WE KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS A "GOD" THING, BECAUSE HE ADMONISHES US ABOUT IT IN HIS WORD.
LET US TAKE A LOOK AT "Matthew 25: 30-46".
VERSE 36 SAYS, "Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me".
He never "suggested" that we go and show love to these precious souls. It is a mandate! He said that in as much as you did not visit or give to the sick, or prisoners, you did not do it unto Him.
"But, in as much as you did it to the least of these, you have done it unto me".
We ALSO know that everyone CAN NOT go into the prisons, but your support can help us to go FOR YOU!
Inside of each gallon ziplock bag, is:
- toothpaste,
- deodorant, (without alcohol)
- shampoo, (preferably clear)
- individually packaged or boxed soap,
- a white 100% cotton mainstay washcloth(from Walmart-18 for $4.00),
- individually wrapped packages of microwave popcorn,
- individually wrapped candy bars and small candies,
- individual bags of chips, and Christian literature. (tracts).
TO ASSIST US IN THIS ENDEAVOR, OUR NEEDS INCLUDE, ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE IN "DIRE" NEED OF:
- YOU AND YOUR "GODLY" LOVE!
- MONETARY GIFTS;
- Gallon sized "ZIPLOCK BAGS";
- RELIABLE "TRANSPORTATION", (trucks or vans), WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO TRAVEL THE HIGHWAYS AND DELIVER THESE BOXES (to each facility);
- A "WAREHOUSE" OR A PHYSICAL PLACE FOR "STORAGE" AND ASSEMBLY;
- AND "VOLUNTARY ASSEMBLY LABORERS", TO BE "LITTLE JESUS HELPERS".
We never know when we are doing it to the "least" of these, do we? And, the word of God says that we have not because we ask not(James 4:2). Well, we are asking, in Jesus' name.
Now, 'WON'T YOU PRAY TODAY'? (Proverbs 3:5-6). Perhaps, your "Sunday School Class or Youth Group" would like to make this "one" of their "Social Projects".
And, if the Holy Spirit is leading you to share with us, in bringing a smile of "JOY" to an inmates' heart, in some way, (LARGE OR SMALL), please contact us, or see our tax-deductible, "GIVING" (DONATION) site (1John 3:17). No gift is too small.
May God Richly Bless You,
As only God could Love you More,
Minister Lois Gardner
Teaching the children how to give back
Ms. Reese and her 5th grade class at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic School, takes the time out of their busy learning schedule to help prepare Christmas packages for inmates
It just takes a little love
The Children are so excited to help
You can help at any age
Children giving back to the community by helping prepare Christmas packages for inmates