JAIL MINISTRY

According to Matthew 25:34-10, Jesus said...

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

As seen on:

God is rewriting history in Manatee County

In 2015, Manatee County was an opioid addiction epicenter, leading the state of Florida in overdoses and deaths. In order to reduce these numbers, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office began making many arrests and cracking down on drug dealers. Still, a problem remained to be solved: the rehabilitation of people with an addiction problem.

In 2016, the sheriff’s office started a new program to help inmates addicted to drugs: the Recovery Pod. Our Manatee County Sheriff, Rick Wells, believes that he received a calling from God to initiate the Recovery Program now in place at the Manatee County Jail. This program is made up by mental health organizations, 12-step programs and, more importantly, faith-based programs.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes... (Romans 1:16)

Soon after its inception, DeBarros Ministries began ministering in the Recovery Pod and bringing the uncompromised, incorruptible Word of God to Manatee County Jail’s inmates. Since then, hundreds of inmates have committed their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, with many receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit in jail.

FREEDOM THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

We give thanks to God for providing us with the opportunity to minister the Word of God to precious people who are incarcerated.

We know God has given us the grace to minister to inmates, men and women, on a weekly basis to provide them with the Truth that comes from knowing God’s Word. This Truth leads men and women into a relationship with Jesus.

"The truth shall make you free"

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” —John 8:31-32

After many years of ministering in jail (Sarasota & Manatee counties) and seeing many men and women leaving jail, only to return to jail a short time after, Renan DeBarros began to look at the “system” in which these precious people were going into when leaving jail. They were given many worldly resources and options, normally funded by the government. And although these programs were designed to assist the poor and needy, they fell short of raising him/her up by strengthening the most powerful resource they possess: Faith.

While in prayer and petitioning to the Lord about these things, Renan asked God, “Why is the government bearing the burden of helping people leaving jail…. this should be the job of the Church (the Body of Christ)!” This is when he believes he heard the Lord say, “Well, you are the Church.”

From this point on, and with the assistance of Lieutenant Ambrus of Manatee County’s Sheriff’s Office, DeBarros Ministries began offering a Discipleship/Mentorship Program to assist people (as they leave the jail) with their basic natural needs, such as housing, clothing, and getting a job, as well as helping them strengthen their faith by receiving the Word of God and biblical guidance as they re-enter into society.

By becoming disciples of Jesus, we believe we all have a better chance at life. It is through a relationship with our Lord and Savior that we can fulfill God’s calling in our lives, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” according to 1 Timothy 2:2.

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

One of the main keys is to achieving freedom in Jesus is to remove oneself from their old environment.

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” —2 Corinthians 6:16-18

Discipleship through relationship

Upon leaving jail, inmates who opt-in to become part of our “Mentorship Program” (known internally by us as a Discipleship) will receive support from DeBarros Ministries to connect with God, get a full-time job, and have their basic necessities met. We believe this is the job of the Church, not government. This is because we believe that more impact can be made in someone’s life through a genuine, loving relationship.

By God’s grace, we have seen the impact our Discipleship relationships have had with ex-inmates in the short amount of time it has been in place. Lives have been completely transformed and relationships restored. It is truly a miracle that happens in the lives of men and women who submit themselves to Jesus and seek to accomplish the call of God in their lives.

DeBarros MINISTRIES RECOGNITION AWARD

Recovery Pod Graduation

Other News

How shall they preach unless they are sent?

We are thankful that the Lord sends us partners who send us to preach the gospel!

Romans 10:14-15 says:

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”