Ministry Update – Chaplaincy Services continue at Chester County Prison.
Many of the original restrictions to protect inmates and staff from coronavirus are still in place. Inmate gatherings and religious programming remain impacted, with volunteers still prohibited at the prison.
Praise God that Chaplaincy is considered an “essential service” at Chester County Prison. Chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda continue their ministry within the prison walls, and are encouraged by groups of men and women stepping up and leading fellow inmates in prayer and study during these tenuous times.
We continue to ask God to grant wisdom to the prison leadership in their decisions concerning return of religious volunteers. Please keep Heinrich, Rhonda, the prison staff, and the incarcerated men and women in your prayers.
Our Mission:
Onesimus Ministries exists for the purpose of introducing prison inmates, ex-inmates, and their families to the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ, as well as spiritually supporting and assisting anyone in becoming faithful in their daily walk as Christ’s disciples.
Why Are Onesimus Chaplains Needed within Chester County Prison?
“The truth about ministry is that it rarely occurs with power without the actual presence of the laborer”.
You may have heard the term, “It takes a village to raise a child”, well it takes a team of Chaplains to minister to a prison. The county prison has contracted to County Corrections Gospel Mission (CCGM) to supply Chaplains and ministries to care for the religious needs of the inmates. Onesimus Ministries is blessed to supply Pastoral Chaplains to Chester County Prison.
Jack Crans is the Administrative Chaplain and is responsible for coordinating religious programs, services, and volunteers at CCP as well as his many other branches of CCGM.
Chaplain Heinrich Botes of Onesimus Ministries is the Pastoral Chaplain ministering to the many personal, religious and transitional needs of male inmates every day.
Chaplain Rhonda Soland of Onesimus Ministries is the Pastoral Chaplain ministering to the many personal, religious and transitional needs of female inmates.
There are many volunteers helping with the many ministerial needs of the prison, but that is only an hour at a time. The reason Chaplain Heinrich is able to be in CCP full time every day and Rhonda part time is because of the support of churches, individuals, and partners in ministry contributing to Onesimus Ministries.