Tangible Hope Ministries Presents Cards For Prisoners Newsletter
FEBRUARY 2025
Cards For Prisoners exists to give hope and encouragement from our pen pals through cards and letters. We show God’s love for those previously and currently incarcerated and offer support to their loved ones. We incorporate the local church in the lives of returned citizens as well as families affected by incarceration.
VERSE OF THE MONTH
“That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Philippians 2:10
pAULA’S PERSPECTIVE
What is Tangible Hope?
The name “Tangible Hope” has a special meaning to our Board and team at Tangible Hope Ministries. The definition we discovered is:
“A hope that feels real, and almost touchable, like a solid expectation that something positive will happen rather than a wishful desire”.
This is what we want our friends on the inside to experience. There is always HOPE, a solid, tangible hope. We encourage them to never give up. To wrap their minds around the possibilities. We have seen many individuals released from prison when they had received a life sentence and have been behind bars for 20+ years. Inmates have had family members located after being separated for decades. Hope is full of possibilities.
When our pen pals take a few minutes to write out a card, it’s received by an inmate as “Tangible Hope”. Words of encouragement to never give up. A stranger taking the time to write a card or note to someone who feels so forgotten has such an incredible impact that those of us on the outside will probably never grasp.
Cards For Prisoners is a program that we developed for Tangible Hope Ministries in 2016. As we continue to grow, more programs will be added. Stay tuned! There will be more opportunities for you to show our friends on the inside and their families, Tangible Hope.
Grace & Peace,
Paula Creswell
Executive Director
Tangible Hope Ministries
cHURCH shOUTOUT
Tangible Hope Ministries wants to give a shoutout to:
First Church, 3060 Wilson Avenue SW in Grandville MI.
First Church embraces the importance of loving those who are so often neglected and rejected by society. Many attending First Church have been pen pals with an inmate through Cards For Prisoners since we first began in 2016! The love and acceptance they show will be felt by all who walk through their doors. Stop by on Sunday morning at 9:30 A.M. to experience it for yourself. For more information, click the link below.
uPCOMING events
SAVE- THE DATE!
Thursday, March 20th, we are planning our first-ever Spring Pen-Pal-Palooza! Volunteers will mail Easter/Spring greetings to incarcerated individuals throughout the United States. This event will be at Mars Hill Bible Church on Fairlanes Avenue in Grandville MI. Please bring a roll or book of stamps to help with mailing costs. Snacks and beverages will be provided by Mars Hill Bible Church.
pen pals on the outside
“I just received a letter from my inmate pen pal. He had not written to me since 2023. His letter listed all he had been through in the last year, loss of his appeal, a death in the family, friends stopped visiting, etc. The part of his letter that got to me was when he told me that my cards were what helped him through those hard days. To think that a simple card could make so much difference resulted in me asking for a second pen pal!”
~Cathie, pen pal since 2022
pen pals on the inside
“Everyone that once claimed to have loved me has abandoned me by allowing the confines of these prison gates to place a great distance between us from keeping the life of a family bond in place! The calls, the visits, the care has all but stopped for me. Prayers for strength to keep pushing on. THANK YOU for remembering the captive souls when NO ONE else seems to care, YOU ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!”
~Dennis, Inmate at Handlon CF
Announcing
IT’S OFFICIAL!
Cards For Prisoners (a program of Tangible Hope Ministries) has been issued the EIN that identifies us as an entity for tax purposes. All those fancy words mean we are now allowed to accept donations!
As you can imagine the initial start-up expenses for a 501c3 add up quickly. We also have the day-to-day expenses that come from running a non-profit.
We are asking for your help by praying for our team as well as supporting us financially. Whether it is a one-time donation or a monthly gift, your support of our organization is greatly appreciated. 100% of donations will be used solely for Tangible Hope Ministries/Cards For Prisoners. 100% of your prayers are greatly appreciated!
(Checks may be mailed to Cards For Prisoners at PO Box 413 Grandville MI 49468.)