JAIL MINISTRY
According to Matthew 25:34-10, Jesus said...
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.”
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God is rewriting history in Manatee County
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)
FREEDOM THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
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"
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
“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
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?
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!”