For the women in Changed Choices, Bible study means more than just meeting a requirement. It’s a real relationship. Someone outside the prison knows their name, reads their letters, and responds with encouragement and care.
When the prison mail system changed and paper letters were suddenly limited, that important relationship was in danger.
Changed Choices helps women in state and federal prisons with a program that offers education and skill-building, all grounded in faith-based support. One of the most meaningful parts is the Correspondence Bible Study, where each woman is matched with a volunteer Bible Study Partner. They read Scripture together, share their thoughts, and build trust over time.
When mail switched to digital-only systems, everything slowed down. Bible studies that used to be printed, filled out by hand, and mailed back could no longer move as easily. A key part of the Changed Choices program was almost lost.
That’s when support from MMFA’s Prison Ministry Field of Interest Fund made a real difference.
A Simple Pivot That Changed Everything
With help from MMFA’s Prison Ministry Field of Interest Grant, Changed Choices found a new way forward. Instead of using printed and mailed materials, they bought Bible study books and Bibles that could be sent straight to the women through approved vendors. This simple but important change gave women something real to hold again. They could do their lessons and mail them back to their Bible Study Partners, bringing back the connection that makes the program special.
It also made things easier for volunteers, who had been handling printing and mailing themselves. With fewer obstacles, everyone could focus more on what matters most: building relationships.
Staff and volunteers often hear from women about how much these connections mean. For some, it’s the first time they have felt steady support in their faith. Volunteers also say they feel changed by the experience, just like the women they help.
One woman said it best: “Though I was incarcerated, I was truly free because I have Jesus.” That feeling of inner freedom is what Changed Choices hopes to nurture.
Because of this grant, a major barrier was removed. Now, women have access to Scripture, encouragement, and steady relationships that remind them they are seen and valued. Sometimes, change starts quietly—with a book, a letter, and someone who cares enough to write back.
