Restorative Justice

Help people impacted by crime to experience mercy, compassion and God’s unconditional love. We minister to inmates, ex-offenders, criminal justice professionals, and families through a wide variety of programs.

Ministry Leader: Betty Waedemon
Alpha Celebration

Celebration Night at the Carol Vance Prison Alpha program took place on March 27, 2025. Alpha is a six-month program where The Meaning of Life and A Life Worth Living (based on Philippians) by Nicky Gumbel are discussed in small groups of prisoners and facilitators from local churches. A close bond and deep trust develop as we share our lives with those behind bars. Truly, these six months culminate in a wonderful celebration!

Click here to see all of the photos.

RJM Sunday 2025 Recap!

There ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost Party and this Holy Ghost party didn’t stop!

Check out all the fun, fellowship and faith-filled Spirit at this year’s Restorative Justice Ministry Sunday!  If you missed it you can rewatch the service on this page to inspire and uplift you!

Click here to see photos from RJM Sunday 2025

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Freedom Walk: A one hour tour of the Carol Vance Prison to witness the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian prison.  Your thinking about prison will change in one hour!
  • Alpha in Prison: Guide a small group through aspects of Christian faith with others from Christ Church.
  • Cool Water Ministry: Hand out waters as the officers enter and leave the prison.  Show our law enforcement officials how much we appreciate them.  It you are interested please contact Robert Coffman at rlcoffm@gmail.com.
  • Kairos/Jubilee: A spiritual retreat weekend for inmates similar to Walk to Emmaus emphasizing Forgiveness, Agape Love and God’s grace.
  • Mentoring: Provide support and guidance to inmates.  Show a man how to be a “Godly” man.
  • Angel Tree: Help provide a festive Christmas party for the inmates and their children.  We provide crafts, food, gifts, a photo booth, DJ and memories. Click here to see an Angel Tree Video.
  • Tutoring: Provide for the education of inmates on various subjects to prepare them for success in the free world.  Each inmate should have their GED or better before leaving prison.
  • Day with Dad: A party for inmates and their children complete with clowns, inflatables, crafts, photo booth, DJ and food.
  • Crosswalk: Help prisoners as they return to the “free” world.  Lead classes on computers, financial planning, goals, Life Skill Programs, etc. 
  • Life’s Healing Choices: Facilitate a 12-step program.
  • Santa Maria’s Bonita House (Babies and Mothers Bonding Initiative, Women Helping Others and Women and Children): A place where mothers live with their children as an alternative to incarceration in an apartment setting.  CC hosts 3 separate inspirational, fun parties in the spring and fall. Contact Sandra Vautrain at sandrav62588@gmail.com.
  • RJM Sunday: Help is needed for the RJM information table,  the Joshua Tree and the luncheon.

 

Contact Betty Waedemon for information on any of these activities at bbw1m@aol.com , 832.755.7761

Take the Training: To volunteer in the prison for an ongoing event, or to visit 4  times or more, you must be trained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice every 2 years. Anyone at least 18 years old can be trained. Contact Betty Waedemon at bbw1m@aol.com  with questions.

 

 

 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.”  Isaiah 61 

Volunteer Testimonies

“As with many volunteer opportunities, the wonder of volunteering in the Prison Ministry is not what I am giving to the inmates, it is God’s blessings poured back on me. It is the smile that comes when a particularly difficult math concept is finally understood, it’s seeing joy in eyes over a job done well, it’s seeing hope at the end of a long journey and peace from knowing that God is in control.” – Church Member

“I became part of a team that served the Lord our God with all of our heart, our mind, and our strength…with joy.” -Robert Crenshaw

 

To donate to this ministry financially, please select ‘Missions Donations’ and type ‘Restorative Justice’ in the memo line when giving online.