The Redeemer Prison Ministry was started in 2005 by Dave & Lauri Fusco. Lauri said “God put it on my heart to reach out and help this population of people in California that is shunned and forgotten and desperate for the word of God and encouragement from the church”. As God’s people, we are called to reach out and serve the “least of these brothers and sisters of mine.” Doing something positive also helped Dave and Lauri deal with our own personal heartbreak. The Prison Ministry has been active all these years, thanks to the support of the wonderful Redeemer congregation. The ministry does a Bible drive every Summer and funds collected help purchase special Bibles for the incarcerated in the OC Jail system and other inmates in state prisons that request one. The Bible Drive will be starting in June and will go through the middle of September. Once we meet again as a congregation, there will be a jar marked “Bible Drive” where interested members can give their monetary donations. We encourage our children to bring their change for the collection jar. The Bibles Redeemer donates are the most requested Bibles available in the jail system!
The Redeemer Prison Ministry also participates in Angel Tree, a ministry of Prison Fellowship. This ministry uses local congregations to help provide Christmas gifts to children who have an incarcerated parent.
The third purpose of the Redeemer Prison Ministry is to help support the Orange County Rescue Mission by donating items greatly needed by the mission. Many of the residents of the Rescue Mission have experienced incarceration and need the love and support that Redeemer provides through donations to get on their feet and begin new lives. Individuals and families can participate in all of these activities and they do not require much time or effort!
If anyone is interested in learning more please contact Lauri Fusco via her email, laurifusco@cox.net, or cell phone (949) 632-1421.