54 Inmates Baptized in Historic First at Maryland Jail as Prison Ministry Explodes

Maryland Jail Holds First Ever Baptism Service as Over 50 Inmates Publicly Declare Their Faith in Christ

More than 50 inmates at a county jail in Maryland have publicly declared their faith after taking part in a baptism service held inside the facility for the first time.

Sixteen women and 38 men were baptized during the service at the Prince George's County Department of Corrections, which was organized by prison group Moving Forward Ministries.

The gymnasium was filled with members of the community, local church leaders and county leaders on Tuesday to support the baptism of 54 incarcerated individuals.

The Department of Corrections is appreciative of the community partners who helped make this event possible, including assisting in providing the necessary equipment. This is the first time the agency has held a baptism, but it will not be the last.

The jail confirmed that the baptism will become a recurring event to allow incarcerated individuals the opportunity to learn what it means to be baptized and sign up to be baptized themselves if they are interested.

State's Attorney Tara Jackson, who was in attendance at the service, told the crowd:

God knew that the state's attorney needed to be here.

During the ceremony, the inmates changed from orange jumpsuits into white ones to represent baptismal robes and were baptized in pools donated by local churches.

Moving Forward Ministries, which is led by the prison's director of corrections, Terence Clark, had been holding weekly meetings inside the jail for the previous two years. These meetings, which originally saw around twelve inmates gather, had grown into church services with a worship band, deacons and more than 100 attendees.

Prince George's County Corrections Facility Sees Revival as Prison Ministry Grows From 12 to Over 100 Attendees

One inmate receiving baptism was 34 year old father Aaron Jefferson, who was incarcerated after pleading guilty to a killing last year. He described the experience as a "second chance."

It's a blessing to have this opportunity. I felt that I wanted to leave some of my old habits and old ways behind and become a new, better person.

Aaron Jefferson's testimony represents the transformative power of faith even behind bars, as dozens of inmates publicly chose to follow Christ in front of their community.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what revival looks like. Not in a megachurch with a fog machine and a light show, but in a jail gymnasium with inmates trading orange jumpsuits for white robes of baptism. Fifty four souls, written off by the world, standing up and declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord. The same God who reached Paul in a Roman prison is reaching men and women in a Maryland jail. When the state's attorney herself says God told her she needed to be there, that is the Holy Spirit moving in power. This is the Church at its best: going where no one else will go, loving who no one else will love. Terence Clark and Moving Forward Ministries are doing the Lord's work, and the fact that this ministry grew from 12 to over 100 in just two years tells you everything you need to know. Heaven is rejoicing.

Take Action

• Pray for the 54 newly baptized inmates at Prince George's County Department of Corrections, that their faith remains strong and they continue to grow in Christ.
• Support prison ministry work by donating to or volunteering with Prison Fellowship, the largest prison ministry organization in the world.
• Learn more about and support Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, the largest independent supplier of chaplains for jails and prisons worldwide.
• Support persecuted and imprisoned Christians worldwide through The Shepherd's Shield.
• Contact your local jail or prison chaplaincy to ask how you can volunteer, donate supplies, or support inmates in their walk with Christ.
• Share this story with your church community and encourage your pastor to consider partnering with a local correctional facility for ministry outreach.