Lifewords is resourcing chaplains as they bring life in prisons, schools, care homes, hospitals, colleges and universities, in stations, airports, workplaces, at festivals, in army barracks and supported living.  

Here are just a few examples of how Lifewords resources are helping chaplains and volunteers to bring life in their contexts.

Providing pastoral care for young offenders

In the rowdy halls of youth justice centres across New South Wales, Australia, Chaplain Mark is providing pastoral care for young people, many of whom feel defined by their worst mistakes. He shares a new vision for life: “These young men and women struggle to believe their lives could look any different,” Mark says. “But God’s Word speaks of reconciliation, forgiveness, and a future.”

Whilst full Bibles aren’t permitted inside the corrections centres, smaller resources are. Lifewords booklets are compact, clear, relevant and powerful. Mark often shares titles that speak into pain and potential, like Little Book of Chaos, Finding Hope, and Little Book of Help. He often sees teens reflect on a single verse or page - sometimes for days:

“They don’t have much, but they hold onto these,” Mark says. “For many, it’s the first step in realising that God hasn’t given up on them—that there's a new invitation for their life.”

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Comfort to those who are grieving

In the UK, Rose volunteers with a local prison chaplaincy, providing support to inmates who have been bereaved.  

Rose explains the unique struggle that many prisoners face when a loved one dies: “To experience the death of friends and family members is hard enough, but if you are in prison it can be even more devastating. Inmates can attend the funeral if the person who has died is your partner, your parent, your child or your sibling, or a grandparent that played a role in bringing you up. However, they go chained to officers, so some decide not to go for the for the sake of their families.”

“One young man who is at the start of a 25-year sentence has just lost his grandfather and suddenly realised that while he is in prison he is possibly going to lose a number of family members. He is devastated at the thought.”

Many keep in touch with their loved ones at home by phone, especially after a death in the family, but find it difficult to talk about the death in case they upset their family member. After sharing Living with Loss with one man during a bereavement session, Rose was encouraged to hear that he rang his mother to tell her what he had been doing, and that it opened up a conversation which helped them to offer comfort to each other in their grief.

Rose has shared Living with Loss in other contexts too. She told us: “I also gave a copy of Living with Loss to my daughter after her ex-husband died suddenly, which has had a huge effect on both her and her four children. She must have looked at the booklet the evening I gave it to her; I received a text saying ‘Thank you for that booklet. Greatest gift I have ever received. Very comforting.’ She included a photo with the page ‘The Lord is my shepherd’ and ‘Coping with today’ and commented ‘Love this’." Rose continued:

"The word of God is so powerful and the booklets are so beautifully designed. It will be a delight to be able to hand them out at a time of great need."

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On the wards

Back in Australia, chaplain Anne-Marie can often be found on hospital wards, offering words of peace and life to those experiencing fear, pain, and uncertainty. Working with Anglicare, she spends most of her week sitting with patients - many in palliative care - offering a listening ear, a gentle prayer, and moments of comfort.  

“But I don’t want to just say a prayer and walk away,” Anne-Marie says. “These Lifewords booklets let me leave something meaningful behind. They are my ‘secret weapon’ - they bring hope and peace in a time of anxiety and turmoil.”

Whether she reads one aloud or places Daily Strength quietly on a bedside table, these Scripture portions often open up conversations about Jesus, and have even led individuals to take their own steps of faith.

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Paying it forward

Lifewords is here for chaplains, for churches, for youth workers, for you. We’re here to walk with you and resource you – because together we can do so much more.

Many chaplains, volunteers and pastoral workers face small budgets and yet a significant need for resources. Through our Pay it Forward model, you have the opportunity to give in order that people like Mark, Rose and Anne-Marie can continue to access and use Lifewords resources.

One mental health chaplain shared: "I can assure you the ripple effect of your generosity would far outreach your imagination. Our patients will return to their communities with the knowledge, hospital is not the end of their journey but a small part, and that God did not leave them alone at a time when they felt the most vulnerable. So, on behalf of our patients and our non-funded department, we would say to you a very heartfelt, thank you."

For those able to give, you can help resource people like Mark, Rose and Anne-Marie. You can help bring life in prisons, hospitals, schools, workplaces and so much more. For those on the front line, for whom cost would be a barrier, our Resource Lifeline grant system means that there is still a way for individuals and ministries to receive resources. You can apply for our Resource Lifeline during the order process, or through our Resource Lifeline page.

Gill, a prison chaplain and recipient of our resources, shared:

“It is a privilege to give these resources to the women I give pastoral care to. I thank your supporters and want them to know how much they are a blessing to women in prison.”  

Let's continue to bring life and blessing in these difficult places, and to support those who are hold out words of hope. Head to our Resourcing chaplains page to find out more.

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