Ministry Messenger

The following is an article posted in The December 2010 Ministry Messenger, a newsletter for the Classis Central Plains Churches from the Classis Pella Diaconal and Home Mission Committees.

 

New Prison Ministry 
to be Launched

God is opening the way for New Life Prison Church

A new prison ministry will be launched early next year

led by Rick Admiraal, a recent seminary graduate.  Rick and his family plan to move to Pella between Christmas and New Year’s from his home in Zeeland, Michigan, having accepted a call from Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella to be the planting pastor for New Life Prison Church. 

Rick, Rose, John (age 15), and Annaliese (age 9) Admiraal

“We plan to

begin this ministry

with Bible studies and

prayer groups with

the goal of creating

a new church,” said

Rick. 

“This is about establishing a new congregation of believers behind the walls.” The career path to becoming a pastor at a prison church has been a winding one for Rick. He initially was a math teacher, and then worked at a land survey firm as a CAD draftsman. While he was working, he volunteered his time in a prison ministry, and it was while doing that work that he discovered his true vocation.

In 2006, he began his studies at Calvin Theological

Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After he graduated

this past spring, he prayed for God’s direction. “I was open to

God’s call,” Rick said. “I found a couple of smaller churches

that were outreach-minded that interested me. But deep

down, I knew that prison ministry is where I fit the best. It

is my passion, and it fits my personality.”

Rick comes to his new calling with experience. He

and his wife, Rose, who is gifted at music, both have

been volunteering at a Michigan prison. In addition, Rick

completed a 10-week internship in the summer of 2009 with

the Cornerstone Prison Church at the South Dakota State

Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. 

“A prison ministry is about reaching out to people who

are typically forgotten,” said Rick. “These are the types of

people whom Jesus reached out to when he was on earth,

and I want to reach out to them too.” 

Rick and Rose, and their two children, John, who is 15

years old, and Annaliese, who is 9 years old. The children

plan to enroll in the Pella Christian schools.

Rick will have office space in his calling church, Calvary

Christian Reformed in Pella. Initially, he will be working to

identify church leaders, people within the prison who have

good leadership skills. 

“We will have to build a church, not

with bricks and mortar, but with people,” Rick said. 

Initially, he hopes to start with a Tuesday afternoon prayer group and a Thursday evening Bible study. Lord willing, the church will begin weekly worship services within a year.

In the meantime, Rick will be looking for people willing

to be trained as volunteers to help with his new ministry.

This work will involve spreading good will, fellowship, and

meeting in small-group Bible studies or prayer groups. 

Good listening skills are especially important for

volunteers to have, he said. Anyone willing to volunteer

can contact Rick.

Financial support also

will continue to be important.

The ministry has been supported by the Classis Central Plains, by Home Missions, by the Vermeer Charitable Foundation, and by individual churches. “These groups have been so generous, and I am very thankful to have their support. I am also grateful for the support I’ve received from Pastor Art Van Wolde and the others at Calvary CRC,” Rick said. In addition to volunteers and financial support, Rick is asking for prayer. “Many new ministries fail, so I want to be sure to get this one off on the right foot. There will be plenty of obstacles. It will be critical for me to build trust with the prisoners and the prison staff. I ask for continued support through your prayers.”