Christlife Ministries Beacon Behind Bars
4/17/07Christlife Ministries Press Release
Beacon Behind Bars, a program of Beacon Institute of Ministry in Columbus, GA, held its second graduation ceremony in Huerfano County Correctional Center in Walsenburg, CO, on April 15, 2007. Dr. Bond, president of Beacon University, gave the commencement address and presented the diplomas. Dr. Bond also presented Assistant Warden Hixson with a learning center certificate.
Beacon Behind Bars is facilitated by Christlife Ministries in Pueblo West, CO.; Pastor Jerome Perkins is the director of the Behind Bars learning centers in Colorado prisons. Alabama is the only other state that has the BBB program. In the last 10 years hundreds of inmates have taken at least one year of biblical studies with BBB. Of those who have been released in that time both in Alabama and Colorado, the recidivism rate is 0%.
Beacon Behind Bars, or BBB, began video classes in Huerfano County Correctional Center in June 2003. Since that time, eighteen students have received diplomas in two graduation ceremonies. In 2005, seven students received their Diploma in Biblical Studies for thirty credit units of class work or ten classes. This year four students received the Diploma of Biblical Studies and seven students received the Diploma of Practical Theology. The Diploma of Practical Theology covers twenty classes or sixty credit units of class work.
Beacon Institute of Ministry has classes in six divisions of study: Biblical Theology, Christian Counseling, Historical Theology, New Testament, Old Testament and Practical Theology.
Prison students must have a sponsor to take BBB classes. The annual cost of sponsorship for one student is $360. This covers tuition, textbooks and syllabi for ten classes. Sponsors receive a monthly grade report and can correspond with their student through Christlife Ministries. The prison student will not be allowed to know their sponsor’s full name or home address. For more information on sponsoring a prison student call Linda at 719-369-9283 or go to www.mychristlife.org and select Beacon. Donations and student sponsorships are accepted online.
Christlife Ministries also facilitates theology classes for Beacon Institute of Ministries, or BIM, in Pueblo West. BIM is an interdenominational theology school with nationally-known instructors from many backgrounds and various denominations. BIM teaches theology – the study of God – not denominational doctrine. BIM allows the student to receive a quality theology education locally. There are over 280 BIM learning centers in the US and in twenty-one foreign countries as well.
The student does not have to be pursuing a career in ministry to benefit from these classes. The cost of classes in Pueblo West is $150 per class (3 credit units). For more information on Pueblo West classes or the BIM certificate or diploma programs call Linda at 719-369-9283 or email lperkins@mychristlife.org.
