At its most recent meeting, the Board of General Superintendents received a report reviewing the involvement of many local Churches of the Nazarene in the Angel Tree ministry. This ministry was developed by Prison Fellowship, an organization founded by the late Charles Colson with a vision “to develop a reconciling community of restoration for all involved in or affected by crime, thereby proclaiming and demonstrating the redemptive love and transforming power of Jesus Christ for all people.”*

The Angel Tree program seeks to connect families who have a parent in prison with a nearby local church so that church families can provide Christmas gifts for children who might otherwise be deprived during that special season.

The Board of General Superintendents has asked ministry leaders in Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and in the USA/Canada Region to encourage local churches to investigate this ministry as a vital opportunity to connect with some of these hurting families in their area who are often isolated and in need.

Larry Tucker, a Nazarene who attends Rogers, Arkansas, First Church of the Nazarene, is one of the directors of this Prison Fellowship ministry, and he has led his church in a highly effective outreach through Angel Tree.

Last year 130 Nazarene churches in 32 states participated in Angel Tree. For information, go to www.AngelTree.org or call 1-800-55-ANGEL.

*Vision statement from Prison Fellowship website