Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

by Betty Kossick
Correcting Bible studies for prison inmates throughout the state is a more-than-20-year-old ministry of Florida Living Church, Apopka. In gratitude for these years of quiet, behind-the-scenes service, Frank Barton, Director of Prison Ministries for Florida Conference, presented a plaque of appreciation to the church during Sabbath worship on August 1.
Barton, whose wife, Maxine, works alongside him, explains the reason volunteers are needed to correct Bible studies: “We receive so many studies to correct that we can’t keep up and do everything else the work requires.”
For instance, the Bartons were on the road for Florida Prison Ministry two weeks out of every month since January 2014. “No one in this organized ministry is paid,” says Barton whose prison ministries work spans 26 years. “Our pay is the blessing from the Lord.”
“Bible studies can be corrected by a group or individual,” says Barton. “Encouraging notes to the inmates written by the volunteers on the returned lesson sheets can make a big difference. We never tell the student that something is wrong with their answers; instead, we write, ‘Have you considered this…?'”
The lesson-corrector doesn’t need to be a theologian, just a willing servant. The churches involved with the Prison Ministry Bible studies are responsible for returning the lessons to the inmates. Provided answer sheets aid in the correction of the lessons. Thus, it’s an easy ministry with which to connect.
The Bartons also conducted the August 1 vesper service to enlighten attendees about the multi-faceted work of Florida Prison Ministries.
If you have questions or want to get involved with prison ministries, contact Frank Barton at fbartonsr@yahoo.com or (352) 408-1844.