March 21, 2017
The Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA) has partnered with the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation, Amachi, and Alpha Community Development Corporation for its 5th annual Correctional Ministries Summit for anyone engaged in correctional ministry.
The Summit will be held May 5-6, 2017, at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, and will feature a number of key speakers, including Dr. W. Wilson Goode, former mayor of Philadelphia; Dr. Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College; James Ackerman, President of Prison Fellowship; and poet, blogger, and motivational speaker Yasmine Arrington.
The two-day event will also include workshop tracks to help those in correctional ministry to develop skills, network with others, and be encouraged and inspired for ministry. Workshop tracks will be offered for those in jail/prison ministry, reentry specialists, chaplains, church leaders, and those specializing in juvenile ministry.
The event will also feature a pre-summit criminal justice policy panel discussion from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. May 5. The panel discussion, which will include conversation on juvenile sentencing, drug sentencing, and sentencing disparities, is free and open to the public.
“There are tremendous challenges and opportunities for Christians within corrections today," says Executive Director of CMCA Joseph Williams. "Our role at CMCA and with this summit is to prepare our brothers and sisters in Christ to be ready to meet these challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.”
“The Prison Industrial Complex is the most challenging issue facing urban America and the country at large," adds Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., President and CEO of Amachi, Inc. "The prophetic voice of faith leaders must be clear as they seek to help communities navigate to positive outcomes for all.”
For more information and to register for the Correctional Ministry Summit, visit cmcainternational.org.
The Philadelphia Leadership Foundation (PLF) serves as a catalyst to bring people, government, businesses and others together in the interest of enhancing the quality of life of individuals and families in the Philadelphia region. .
Amachi was developed in 2000 to provide children impacted by incarceration with a different path by establishing the consistent presence of loving, caring mentors. Since the organization was created, there have been at least 350 Amachi-modeled programs in more than 250 US cities and all 50 states. To date, these programs have served more than 300,000 children. More information about Amachi is available at amachimentoring.org.
Alpha Community Development Corporation is an outreach arm of Christian Stronghold Church. Christian Stronghold church has been addressing the spiritual and social needs of the surrounding community and Greater Philadelphia area for over 50 years. They serve the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated victims and families through Alpha Community Development Corporation. More information about Christian Stronghold Church is available at christianstronghold.com.
The Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA) is a ministry of the Institute for Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College. CMCA was created to connect, encourage, equip, and strengthen Christians as they fulfill the Great Commission in corrections. More information about CMCA is available at cmcainternational.org.