Mission:

“Angel Tree is a ministry of Prison Fellowship whose mission is to exhort, assist, and equip the church in its ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims and their families.  This unique ministry gives the church an opportunity to share Christ’s love at Christmas each year by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners.”  Friendship Missionary Baptist Church has agreed to partner with Prison Fellowship by participating in Angel Tree.

Purpose:

Angel Tree focuses on outreach to children and families who have parents imprisoned by providing kids with gifts during Christmas time.  In doing so, churches have an opportunity to evangelize and share the gospel with many families.  Angel Tree is so much more than giving Christmas gifts – it’s a way of being the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus.

Background:

The Angel Tree ministry began some 20 years ago.  Mary Kay Beard an ex-prisoner was troubled over a problem she saw many inmates face during Christmas time.  “She saw them wrapping anything they could find – even toiletry items to give to their children at Christmas.”  After she was released, she began working with Prison Fellowship in Alabama and shortly after the Angel Tree ministry was formed.