Ex-offenders often are challenged when they attempt to establish new work and personal ties in a community. A conference that will help people learn more about the specific problems associated with offender re-entry will take place on Sept. 12 in Columbia, Mo. The conference, called “Opening Gates, Opening Hearts:” has been planned in part by the Missouri School of Religion – Center for Rural Ministry.
More than 97 percent of Missouri’s prisoners are eventually released. Workshops at the conference will include how to effectively minister to prisoners, supporting families during re-entry of a loved one, and getting congregations involved in prison or re-entry ministries. Read more information (PDF).