“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13: 16)
Seeking to live out this commandment, Paul and Jennifer Sivils established a prison ministry through Park Hill Baptist Church to help reach the men in the Clark County jails.
The Sivils first began helping with the local prison when a close family member was incarcerated six years ago. While looking for different ways to help the system, Paul immediately noticed the deficiencies and ineffectiveness of their libraries.
“We saw what they call their ‘library’. It was just a couple of shelves with worn out paperbacks,” Sivils said, “I told them ‘I can do something about this.’ So we started a drive where people donate books.”
Through various book drives and donations, the Sivils are able to provide books for the prisoners. In addition to the book donation, Park Hill makes Christmas bags for the inmates, where they are given items like Bibles, religious tracks and sugar free peanut brittle.
Ouachita became involved with the ministry through Sigma Tau Delta and the Books 4 Books drive. Sigma Tau Delta, an international english honor society aiming to promote the love of literature, provided the purpose for donating books to the prison ministry.
“The impact would be three-fold,” senior and Sigma Tau Delta member, Emily Knocke said. “These books would provide entertainment, educational opportunity, and more importantly would provide hope on a spiritual level.“
Since many restrictions are placed on prisoners, the book ministry can make a huge difference on their daily lives, subsequently improving their well-being. “Reading not only passes time, however, but also enhances the mind and can stimulate deeper thought and possibly meaningful dialogue with others,”Knocke said. “As inmates are closed away from the rest of the world, at least for a time, books can open doors to the outside world and bring light to a dark and difficult situation.”
The donations will not only serve as a cure to boredom, but will also increase their knowledge. “These men have a lot of time on their hands,” Sivils said. “They just sit there hours and hours on end. So we’re hoping to give them something they can do that will occupy them and improve their daily lives. That’s why we try to give new books.”
Students are encouraged to help support the ministry by donating their new or used books before Dec. 1. Books may be dropped off at English department (2nd floor of Lile Hall) in the hamper labeled “Books 4 Books”. Those books will then be sold in the Student Center; $1 for hardback, $0.25 for paperback. Proceeds from the Books 4 Books sale will go directly to. Sivils to purchase books for the prison. Monetary donations are also accepted.
“Christ explicitly called us to visit those in prison and offer comfort to those in need—this is one small way we can follow that command,” Knocke said.
Any genre is accepted, including dictionaries, atlases and thesauruses. Just make sure whatever you donate is relatively new and in good shape.
Students can continue to support the ministry in the spring by donating directing to the Sivils and PHBC.
Park Hill is also looking for help with two upcoming prison projects. In December, they will need assistance with packing the bags for distribution to the prisons. In the spring, Sivils will need volunteers to organize and count the donated book.
For more information on how you can get involved at Park Hill Baptist Church and the prison ministry, contact Paul Sivils at paulsivils@gmail.com or Jennifer Sivils at jennifersivils@hotmail.com
By: Barrett Pfeiffer, staff writer
