A simple Christmas gift delivered through Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program became the turning point in the life of an incarcerated father, offering a powerful testimony to the redemptive impact of faith, family connection, and community support.
According to a recent report, Jermaine Wilson, who was incarcerated at the Lansing Correctional Facility in Kansas, had gone months without hearing from his young son. The distance and silence weighed heavily on him-until Angel Tree stepped in. Through the program, Wilson was able to select a Christmas gift for his son, which was then delivered by a local church volunteer on his behalf.
That gift sparked an emotional phone call that changed everything.
"Hearing my son laugh again gave me the hope I needed," Wilson shared. "It reminded me that I was still a father, even behind bars."
Angel Tree, one of Prison Fellowship's most widely known initiatives, partners with more than 4,000 churches nationwide to deliver Christmas gifts to children of incarcerated parents. Each present is given in the name of the parent, reinforcing the message that they are loved, remembered, and not forgotten-despite separation caused by incarceration.
Founded in 1976 by Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship is the nation's largest Christian prison ministry. Its mission extends beyond prison walls, serving incarcerated individuals, their families, and prison staff while advocating for restoration, reconciliation, and spiritual transformation.
For Wilson, Angel Tree marked the beginning of a broader life change. After his release, he rebuilt his relationship with his son, pursued ministry training, and is now an ordained minister serving as a Prison Fellowship mission ambassador-helping others find hope where despair once lived.
Programs like Angel Tree demonstrate Prison Fellowship's holistic approach to ministry, addressing not only spiritual needs but also the deep relational wounds caused by incarceration. By connecting parents and children during critical moments like Christmas, the program helps break cycles of isolation and offers families a glimpse of healing and renewal.
As communities continue to seek meaningful ways to support vulnerable families, Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree stands as a powerful reminder that one act of generosity-rooted in faith-can change a life forever.
For more information about Angel Tree or to learn how churches and individuals can get involved, visit Prison Fellowship's official website.
