Steps & Timeline for Starting a "Meet Me at the Gate" Program

Adapted and reprinted with permission from Meet Me at the Gate (Koinonia House National Ministries).

This document is for those preparing to meet just-released Christian neighbors at the prison gate, and implementing a vital and basic level of post-prison ministry.

This “Steps and Timeline” guide provides a listing of the activities necessary for a church to undertake in developing the Koinonia House National Ministries (KHNM) style of post-prison ministry of biblical discipleship for Christian neighbors coming out of prison.

1.  Identify the Post-Prison Ministry (PPM) Core Group

Persons interested in developing a Meet Me at the Gate post-prison ministry (PPM) assemble and seek the direction of the Holy Spirit.

2.  Core group must be connected to local church or collaborative of local churches

No PPM will be successful apart from a biblically healthy, local church.  The local church is called to “love their neighbor” with no distinction placed on that.

The local church will be an essential partner in the success of a PPM.  The PPM core groups MUST be tied to one or more committed local churches – these churches should be represented in the core group.

3.  PPM group reads all Meet Me at the Gate information on website           (www.koinoniahouse.org)

It is vital that all documentation available to equip, assist and train the PPM group to effectively minister in the post-prison environment be read and reviewed.  It will provide a clear picture on the depth and breadth of the ministry being undertaken and begin in the training process.

4.  PPM group identifies/appoints a leader or spokesperson

When working with KHNM and the local church it is vital to appoint a leader for the PPM group to streamline the communication process, acting as the PPM group point person.  This may very well be the Primary Mentor discussed later.

5.  PPM group meets/consults with KHNM to inquire about partnership and steps to follow.

Once the PPM group has been established, communication should take place with KHNM to work out the details of partnering together and address the following steps to take in preparation for the receiving of a released Christian neighbor.  At this point the relationship and partnership details between KHNM and the church(es) involved, as well as with the PPM group, will be formalized.

6.  PPM group works through KHNM’s “Strategies for Effective Post-Prison Ministry” Seminar documentation

The seminar documents can be found on the KHNM website.  The PPM group can work through it together to best determine their level of need for further training. 

7.  PPM group consults with KHNM on further training possibilities

Depending on need, the PPM group should consult with KHNM on specific details, attend a mini-seminar taught at KHNM offices, attend a regional “Strategies for Effective Post-Prison Ministry” seminar, or request that a KHNM representative come to them to go through the materials.

8.  PPM group establishes a Meet Me at the Gate ministry budget

KHNM will provide to the core group a sample budget, as a guide, and the PPM group will work to establish a viable budget for the ministry.

9.  PPM group established as Meet Me at the Gate committee in submission to the authority of the local church governing board(s)

It is imperative that the PPM group is under the umbrella, direction and guidance of the local church board(s) and submitted to their leadership.  This relationship with the local church is vitally important to the success of the post-prison ministry being attempted. 

10.  KHNM, the local church(es), and the PPM group sign a partnership covenant together

This partnership covenant will establish the relationship between three entities and outline what the role of each will be as they partner together to do post-prison ministry.

11.  Primary Mentor, additional spiritual mentor and financial mentor if possible, identified with training beginning

The Primary Mentor will be the individual primarily responsible for the discipleship and oversight of the released Christian neighbor.  They will be the one who sets the tone for and direction of the overall post-prison ministry and who the adopted Christian neighbor will be directly accountable to.  The additional spiritual mentor and financial mentor would work alongside the Primary Mentor to give an even greater depth to the discipleship being done.

12.  Possible host families, for Christian family mentoring, identified with training beginning

The PPM group should begin to identify, cultivate, and train families of the Christian neighbors home church who will rotate the responsibility of hosting the Christian neighbor on each Sunday after the morning service.  The day serves as a “day off” or respite for the Primary Mentor and provides the Christian neighbor with much needed examples of what it means to live and interact in a Christian family environment.

13.  PPM group takes advantage of trainings held at various times and locations, if feasible due to proximity

Training for the PPM group, Primary Mentors, spiritual and financial mentors, church liaisons and host families is crucial.  KHNM hosts training classes and seminars at various times and locations to assist in this training.

14.  KHNM assists PPM group in the selection process of a Christian neighbor being released based on the specific parameters established by the PPM group and local church(es)

The process of selecting a resident is a joint effort between the PPM group and the local church and KHNM will be there to assist in this process, through consultation, advice and resources, so as to find the best fit possible between the releasing Christian neighbor and the local church home they are going to.

It is imperative that the discipling process begins prior to the Christian neighbor’s release from prison.  Part of this discipling process is getting to know and trust one another.  Once selected, communication should begin with them and visiting is highly recommended if possible.

16.  Residential issues addressed with living arrangements being established

One of the crucial pieces early on is what the living arrangements will be for the released Christian neighbor.  KHNM will help the adopting church understand the needs and identify the best options for this so that the PPM group and local church can make the best choice, for them and the Christian neighbor.  Additionally, the adopting church will need to begin to accumulate clothing and personal items that the Christian neighbor will need.  These should both be addressed no less than three months before release if at all possible.

17.  Communication with DOC Field Services Officer(s) should begin

There are issues and information that the Field Service Officer will need, along with the local DOC Casework Supervisor, prior to the Christian Neighbors release (such as address, phone number, etc.).  KHNM will assist with getting this information into the right hands but it is recommended that the adopting church also be in contact with them. 

18.  Meeting the released Christian neighbor at the church gate

 

On the day of release, the Primary Mentor and local church representative(s) must be there to meet the releasing Christian neighbor at the gate and welcome him to their “family.”