THE arresting message of the Christian faith has been spread to inmates at Dartmoor Prison in the last few months by two of Okehampton?s church ministers.
Mike Davies and Chris Bourne from Inspiration (Church of the Nations) in Okehampton have both helped in taking sessions at the moorland prison as part of the Alpha Course initiative.
The all day sessions taken by Mike and Chris were strenuous as they entailed four one-and-a-half hour speaking sessions in one day.
Dartmoor Prison recently appointed a new Governor, Claudia Sturt, who is a practicing Christian herself. Mrs Sturt recently saw Dartmoor?s Home Office performance rating rise to two stars, in recognition of the many improvements which have been made since a damning report into the prison two years ago.
As Chairman of Christians together in Okehampton, Mr Davies offered an invitation to the new governor and the chaplaincy team to visit Okehampton for one of their regional prayer days that are hosted, which was accepted by the prison team.
Mr Davies said: ?I think we need to appreciate a large percentage of the inmates of Dartmoor Prison come from Devon and Cornwall and in turn, West Devon. This has an impact on our community and, of course, the prisoners? families who live in the area.
?I believe that prayer and Christian teaching can, and has, made a significant impact into the residents of Dartmoor Prison.?
The evening of prayer led by the prison?s chaplaincy team will take place on Wednesday, January 21, 2004, at the Church Hall, Market Street, Okehampton at 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
?It will be a privilege to host the prison?s chaplaincy team as they do such a splendid job. It will also be good to see them in Okehampton,? he added.
The prison will be launching an new Alpha Course next month.