It’s almost like any other church: a choir, a spiritual sermon — a congregation dressed in orange.
It’s called Moving Forward Ministries.
Held once a week inside the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections jail, the ministry transforms its gym into a sanctuary.
“I don’t feel like I’m incarcerated when I’m in church; I feel like I’m in church,” inmate Elizabeth Tanner said.
After hearing melodies echo from inside the sanctuary, Tanner joined the women’s choir.
“I love singing in the choir,” she said. “It keeps me going; it keeps me prayered up.”
Tanner is one of many parishioners that helped the nondenominational church grow from 12 participants to 120. Next Thursday marks two years since the church’s inception.
Some inmates, like Marcell Billups, contribute their talents, as well. Billups picked up the drums when he was younger and now plays each Thursday during service.
“I take it serious. You know, my ministry, I’m in the music ministry as well,” Billups said. “You know, music is everything. It set the tone for the pastor and the church and the atmosphere.”
Along with volunteers who support offenders, Pastor Keith Lynch leaves participants with memorable lessons.
“I’m hoping their lives will be changed and giving them hope and letting them know that God is a forgiving God,” Lynch said.
The full worship session, including musical selections and scripture readings, is approved by a team inside the jail. The team says they see the ministry as an opportunity to cut down on recidivism rates in the community.
“Just to see what they glean and what they gain and take home with them when they leave here,” said Tonya Hill, assistant chief for the Inmate Services Division.
“It’s important for the community to come in, embrace them and to work with them so that when we finally do release them from our custody and care that they are in a better position to thrive in the community,” jail Director Terence Clark said.
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