Requirements for Volunteering
We have volunteers from many different Christian faith traditions and denominations. We need program both in-facility and outside-facility volunteers to help in the following ways:
If you are interested in volunteering, we ask that all volunteers meet the following requirements:
We have volunteers from many different Christian faith traditions and denominations. We need program both in-facility and outside-facility volunteers to help in the following ways:
- Kitchen staff and meal preparation
- Musical leadership ability either in singing or musical accompaniment
- Prayer and meditation leaders
- Mentors and table discussion contributors
If you are interested in volunteering, we ask that all volunteers meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Pass the correctional facility's background check
- Be spiritually mature and considered a strong role model for others
- Regularly attend a home church and receive your pastor's recommendation
- Be able to attend the scheduled trainings and meetings apart from the direct prison ministry weekends
- Be able to affirm they believe the following statement of faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the church as the Body of Christ in the world today, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
It is strongly suggested that volunteers have attended an approved three-day weekend retreat themselves to be accepted into the program. It's important that you are well-trained and have a real understanding of how to really minister and be present for others inside the prison environment prior to beginning the work.
Volunteer Training
The training we offer covers the basics of the program rules, how to administer the in-facility and outside facility retreats with the youth, how to the deliver the prayers and meditations used, understand who you are serving through this ministry and what are the more common reasons youth are at-risk or incarcerated, understand the scriptures used during the process, and learn how to give an effective personal testimony about your relationship with Christ. As part of the application, you will need to get the approval and sign-off from your own pastor in order to volunteer.
Volunteer Training
The training we offer covers the basics of the program rules, how to administer the in-facility and outside facility retreats with the youth, how to the deliver the prayers and meditations used, understand who you are serving through this ministry and what are the more common reasons youth are at-risk or incarcerated, understand the scriptures used during the process, and learn how to give an effective personal testimony about your relationship with Christ. As part of the application, you will need to get the approval and sign-off from your own pastor in order to volunteer.
We really value our volunteers and the community we build is an important part of the work we do. There are also follow up trainings throughout the year to ensure you are still growing in your understanding outside the retreat-process.
Application Process
To apply to be a volunteer, please fill out the following form and return it to epiphanyministryoflouisiana@gmail.com. |
Program Testimonials
"Epiphany Ministry provides a way for me to say “thanks” to God for the fact that neither I nor any member of my family has served time in prison. I am grateful for all the privileges I have had, and too often have taken them for granted. After having served in this ministry for over a decade, I still conclude every weekend thanking God that I have been able to play a small part in God’s plan to show these teenagers that God loves them no matter who they are or what they have done." - Wayne, Program Volunteer
"I love Epiphany. It is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, share lots of cookies, and overeat fried catfish. The boys seem to respond well after they thaw out a little. My heart simply melts when I witness the wonder in the eyes of jaded young men who are in a hard place when they look at the list of people praying for them." - Edie, Program Volunteer
"Epiphany Ministry provides a way for me to say “thanks” to God for the fact that neither I nor any member of my family has served time in prison. I am grateful for all the privileges I have had, and too often have taken them for granted. After having served in this ministry for over a decade, I still conclude every weekend thanking God that I have been able to play a small part in God’s plan to show these teenagers that God loves them no matter who they are or what they have done." - Wayne, Program Volunteer
"I love Epiphany. It is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, share lots of cookies, and overeat fried catfish. The boys seem to respond well after they thaw out a little. My heart simply melts when I witness the wonder in the eyes of jaded young men who are in a hard place when they look at the list of people praying for them." - Edie, Program Volunteer
"I feel like God has called me to ministry in a youth prison because as a mother, I know these are children, and they need love and forgiveness just like we do. I want them to know someone cares, and that this is just a stepping stone to the men they will become." - Erin, Program Volunteer
"Epiphany! Wow! I first joined this ministry in 2010! I had run out of excuses and told my wife let’s do this and we’ll be done with it. Wrong! 10 years later, I’m still here and I love this ministry! I love it so much that I now serve with national Epiphany as Chaplain. It’s so cool to get to serve other facilities in different states. I love working with youth because one of these days they will be us. To see God working in their lives and ours is so awesome. I went thinking I was going to give them a blessing, but I have been the one who received the blessing! God bless this ministry and everyone involved." - Jeff, Chaplain
"I became an Epiphany volunteer Oct. 2016, after I heard a presentation on Epiphany at my church. After hearing the story of this ministry, I fell in love with it even before my first Epiphany weekend. After my first weekend with the young men, I was hooked!!! As soon as one weekend is finished, I look forward to the next. To me, Epiphany is like a BIG Vacation Bible School. Food, games, activities, Bible stories, skits, and most important the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared. At each Epiphany, I feel that this could very well be that LAST time these young men may have to hear the message of Jesus Christ. And without Jesus, they have no hope of a life in heaven. If I can lead just one person to Christ, plant a seed, or show love, then all the work that goes into Epiphany is well worth it. And YES it is work – but a work that is so rewarding. There is nothing better I love to do than spend a weekend twice a year or a Saturday morning once a month being the hands and feet of Jesus. Epiphany is very structured and well organized. The team members are awesome to work with. I have had several positions during the weekends and I have never felt alone or abandoned as I grew with this ministry. Remember, Jesus doesn’t need us but he chose us to partner with him in reaching the lost." - June, Program Volunteer
"In 2005, shortly after I had studied Exodus 3 in a bible study (Moses at the burning bush), I was confronted by Reverend James Evans about being a part of the Epiphany Ministry to the incarcerated youth at Swanson Correctional Institute in Monroe. I started making the same excuses to James as did Moses to God, with the same result, which caused me to pause and reconsider his request.
I had being very active in the leadership of the Cursillo Community, serving on many retreat staffs in all of the positions involved except spiritual director, and music team member. I had even held the position of Co-Chairperson of the State, which at many closings, I had encouraged new Cursillistas to venture into other mission fields such as Kairos, Chrysallis, Happening, and Epiphany to answer God’s call to be a disciple. So in a fit of conscious, I relented and became a team member. Doing so, impressed me with the need to express Christ’s Love to those young men who, for the most part had never experienced any kind of love, human or divine. Many of the young men that I have worked with over the last 14 years, have not had the benefit of a functional family in their lives and seeing them grow to accept the fact that they have some worth as individuals that can be forgiven and loved has been the greatest blessing to me.
Epiphany is successful as a ministry because those involved as team members are dedicated to repeated contact with the 'Stars' and 'Super Stars' to show them that they are truly loved. I have been involved with the ministry for every weekend retreat that has been held at Swanson since 2005 in some capacity and have made most reunion weekends held and have been blessed by the experience." - Ernest, Program Volunteer