Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility is the only women's prison in the state of Michigan. Over 1800 women are incarcerated there. They range from teenaged girls to elderly women who have been convicted of everything from shoplifting to homicide. Sadness and lack of hope are common emotions among the prisoners at Women's Huron Valley. It is a place where suicide is committed and attempted too frequently; the women imprisoned there need to know God's love and the forgiveness that is available to them in Christ. New. Arbor Bible Church is conveniently situated to minister to these women, just across the freeway from where they live.
Bridge Builders
Bridge Builders is an evangelistic ministry led by women from New Arbor Bible Church. It is a six-month course which meets weekly. About 24 women may be enrolled at a time. The women in the course are instructed from scripture to acknowledge their sin and turn to Christ for salvation, growth, and spiritual power while working 12 steps.
A weekly Bridge Builders meeting starts with a large group message taught by one of the volunteers from New Arbor. When the large group session is over, the women separate into small groups of 4 to 6 for discussion led by one of our volunteer facilitators. This is a time for the women to share openly about their problems and struggles in a loving, trusting, structured environment - a unique opportunity for these women. Each participant has a one-on-one meeting with a volunteer to have a chance to discuss her understanding of the Gospel in an individualized format.
Currently, two groups of women are running separate Bridge Builders' sessions. One session meets on Friday mornings; the other meets on Saturday mornings. More volunteers are always welcome.
To volunteer in a program such as Bridge Builders, the State of Michigan requires you to undergo a background check and approval process. Once you have been given initial approval, you will be required to attend a volunteer training session at the Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility to become a volunteer there. Additional training regarding becoming a Bridge Builders leader is provided by the leaders of the ministry.
A weekly Bridge Builders meeting starts with a large group message taught by one of the volunteers from New Arbor. When the large group session is over, the women separate into small groups of 4 to 6 for discussion led by one of our volunteer facilitators. This is a time for the women to share openly about their problems and struggles in a loving, trusting, structured environment - a unique opportunity for these women. Each participant has a one-on-one meeting with a volunteer to have a chance to discuss her understanding of the Gospel in an individualized format.
Currently, two groups of women are running separate Bridge Builders' sessions. One session meets on Friday mornings; the other meets on Saturday mornings. More volunteers are always welcome.
To volunteer in a program such as Bridge Builders, the State of Michigan requires you to undergo a background check and approval process. Once you have been given initial approval, you will be required to attend a volunteer training session at the Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility to become a volunteer there. Additional training regarding becoming a Bridge Builders leader is provided by the leaders of the ministry.
Bridge Builders Contact Form
If you are interested in volunteering for Bridge Builders, please fill out this contact form: