The International Prison Chaplain’s Association (IPCA) has its roots in Scandinavia where Prison Chaplains from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have held biennial conferences since 1973. The FCG Secretary for prison chaplaincy and the Free Churches Faith Adviser, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair for IPCA Europe UK.
You can read more about the important work which IPCA does HERE.
Revd Bob Wilson has written about a recent IPCA Steering Committee where they explored issues with UN in Vienna in the run-up to the Crime Commission.
You can read Revd Wilson’s full article HERE
Join us as we pray for the work of IPCA and all those who work in prisons and who are serving sentences:
PRAYER
Lord God, Blessed are you, creator of the universe. You have called us to serve you in bringing good news to the poor and liberty to those in prison. Look with kindness upon all who serve you in this ministry, grant us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of your mission to all. Fill our hearts with zeal and perseverance as heralds of the Gospel. Amen
BLESSING
May the Lord bless you, and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
IPCA now has six regions, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America and more information can be found on their website at www.ipcaworldwide.org. IPCA-Europe has been the strongest regional organization and has developed a life of its own with many initiatives such as a link with the Council of Europe and the C.P.T. It has always elected its own Steering Committee as well as linking in with IPCA-Worldwide and the International Commission for Prison Pastoral Care.
(photo courtesy of Thomas Dils @ Unsplash)