GraystonePrison MinistryGet involved

Volunteer handbook

Be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Everything you need before you pray, write, or walk through a sally port with us. Safety protocols exist to protect you while still bringing hope and light to those who need it.

Lincoln County JailWhitworthAtlanta Metro Reentry

01 · How & why

Pray and study His Word first.

Always pray before you write and serve. Don’t do it just to do it, or you’ll lose sight of its importance. Remind yourself of your reasons every time you pray, write, purchase donations or serve. When it’s biblically based, it honors God and expands the Kingdom, one inmate at a time.

Graystone appReading plans and devotionals
YouVersion Bible appDaily two-minute video devotion
BibleProjectVideos for understanding scripture
Prison FellowshipTestimonies that remind you of the impact
Family Goals PodcastEncouragement for the road
A small groupDiscipleship group or Bible study

02 · Visitation

What to wear, what to leave.

Do wear

  • Graystone or GPM shirt
  • Pants without holes
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • A non-smart watch (optional, advised)

Don’t wear

  • Hoodies
  • Hats

Do bring

  • Driver’s license or government ID
  • Bible, paper, pen or pencil

Don’t bring

  • Phones or smart watches
  • Anything in your pockets (they hold keys at check-in)
  • Clicker pens
  • Spiral notebooks

Check-in: We report on arrival what we’re bringing and freely open bags and boxes. Items are mostly pre-approved, but we want to keep the jail’s trust, so be as transparent as possible. Nothing sharp, no spirals.

Before you walk in

0/8

You’re ready. Go be light. ✦

03 · Ministry

Inside the pods and the yard.

We have about two hours inside and outside. Men have about 30 minutes per pod; women about an hour and a half. Men minister to men, women to women, always, because each pod is where inmates eat, sleep, dress and bathe.

Do

  1. Bring the joy and hope of Christ to the hopeless. Bring light to the darkness.
  2. See each individual as Jesus would, without judgment or fear.
  3. Be friendly. Keep it light and come in with upbeat greetings.
  4. Come prayed up, with a scripture, short devotion or Bible study ready as backup.
  5. Listen attentively. They may want to talk faith, or sports and the weather with someone new.
  6. Know when to abandon your “plan” and be real.
  7. Always close in prayer.

Never

  1. Close your eyes during prayer. Stay alert and aware.
  2. Talk about politics or government agencies. Redirect to Christ.
  3. Say anything that undermines staff authority. We are guests in their house.
  4. Offer or agree to do anything on the outside: calls, letters, researching a case.
  5. Offer medical, legal or psychological counsel.
  6. Ask what their crime is or when they get out. If they offer it, just listen.
  7. Have physical contact at GDC facilities. None, whatsoever.

Outside in the yard

A mixed group of men and women volunteers greets, sings worship, hears a message, and closes with music and prayer, then hands out food, toiletry bags and stamped envelopes. Dress for the weather without hoods. Unless it’s raining or freezing, we will be outside. These men and women desperately need the time outdoors.

Security & solitary

A camera watches the entire visit. We’ve never had an issue and feel very safe, but if you aren’t comfortable, don’t go in. We can pray with anyone in solitary through the slat in the door. That ministry can be just as powerful, if not more.

Inmates seated in a circle in the yard while a volunteer speaks; faces are blurred for privacy
Worship in the yard at Lincoln County Jail. We blur the faces of those we serve.

At GDC facilities: Report anything suspicious to the ministry leader first; the leader reports to staff. Never contact an inmate or their family by letter. It violates GDC policy and your visitation rights will be revoked. You may not serve in a facility where a family member or close friend is held.

04 · Getting there

Meet us in the lot.

The team gathered in the parking lot outside the jail
The team in the lot at Lincoln County Jail.
9:15 am

Women

Meet at the Monroe campus parking lot to carpool or follow one another.

Morning

Men

Meet at the Loganville campus. Jamil will share the time.

11:30 am

Lincoln County Jail

145 School St, Lincolnton, GA 30817. This is not the mailing address.

You won’t be able to eat or drink inside. Eat and use the restroom before or after. There’s one single-stall restroom in the jail lobby. Feel free to make your own travel arrangements.

05 · GDC badge

One day of training. Doors that open.

The Georgia Department of Corrections volunteer badge lets you serve in state facilities without new paperwork each time. Training is one day (10am–2pm) at State Offices South at Tift College in Forsyth. It isn’t required to serve with GPM, but it keeps us ready to say yes.

  1. 1
    Go to the GDC volunteer site

    gdc.georgia.gov/community-support/volunteering ↗ and choose “apply to be a volunteer.”

  2. 2
    Set aside about an hour

    Have names, numbers, dates and addresses ready for residency, employment, and any history of incarceration.

  3. 3
    Facility: Whitworth Women’s Facility, Hartwell GA

    This doesn’t limit where you serve. It groups GPM members with the same chaplain.

  4. 4
    Organization: Graystone Prison Ministry

    So your application is tied to our team.

A criminal history does not disqualify you. Failing to disclose one is an automatic rejection.

06 · Letter writing

A penned note changes a day.

Letter writing is a key part of our ministry at Lincoln County Jail and for federal inmates. Georgia state facilities do not allow any correspondence between inmates and the volunteers who serve there. Inmates get moved and released without our knowledge. Our part is to reach out; God takes care of the rest.

What goes to every inmate: a Bible reference guide, a handwritten letter, candy, soap and travel toiletries
“Dear Lincolnton friend…” A handwritten note tucked in with scripture and the basics.

Your GPM signature

Type your first name. We’ll build the safe signature and return address for you.

Return address

Graystone Church
Attn: “John-GPM”
1551 Ozora Rd
Loganville, GA 30052

Sign your letter: John-GPM

The rules

  1. No greeting cards, glitter, etc. (unless for a pre-approved outreach)
  2. Black or blue pen only
  3. Plain white envelope, no bigger than 5 × 7
  4. No last names. First name, initials + GPM, or “GPM Friend” only
  5. No photos, ever
  6. No personal info. Share your calling generically, never specifics
  7. Do not do favors or pass messages to family. The answer is “No, we aren’t allowed.”
  8. Use the Graystone Loganville church address. Never your own. Ever.
  9. Pray for God to give you the words before you write

What to write about

Your letter should ultimately point them to hope in Christ.

  • Why you believe God called you to write them (generically and scripturally)
  • Scripture references, in hopes they open their Bible
  • Ask if they have a Bible or need one
  • Ideas for starting to read and study the Bible
  • The significance of prayer and quiet time, even when it isn’t quiet
  • Bible stories where God works in the waiting and uses broken people
  • Sports: teams, scores, stories of Christian athletes
  • Books and authors they might enjoy from the library cart
  • Workouts that need no equipment and little space
  • Their goals upon release, and success stories of the formerly incarcerated

Letters that can’t be delivered come back to the Loganville church. Our church office lets the team know whenever GPM gets mail, and anyone is welcome to respond following these protocols. Want to be notified? Tell us.

07 · Forgiven Ministry

One Day With God.

Since 2022 we’ve served Forgiven Ministry’s camps at Whitworth (March or April) and Atlanta Metro Reentry (July or August). Incarcerated parents earn a full day with their children in a vacation-Bible-school setting through Bible study and parenting classes. They even shop for their kids and hand them a bag of gifts.

Before

Email Marisol and Forgiven Ministry to volunteer. Fill out GDC background paperwork unless you have a badge. Attend the Zoom or in-person training the week of camp.

7:15 am

Arrive at the nearby sponsor church. Only keys, ID and pre-approved items go in.

All day

Help children with supplies, food and drinks. Escort them to the restroom. Join games and worship. Chaperone as they bond with their parent.

Lunch

Pizza or fast food is provided, with coffee, water and juice.

~5:00 pm

Leave the facility, tired and changed.

Two volunteers with two girls in green camp shirtsA full fellowship hall set with tables of food

Not ready for the yard? Serve as a prayer room attendant, face painter or caregiver at the sponsor church. Or come the day before to help prepare parents spiritually and physically (7am–5pm). About Forgiven Ministry ↗

08 · Prison Fellowship

Our guide from day one.

Outside of the Bible, Prison Fellowship has been our primary source of guidance, inspiration and support. We’ve watched their testimonies as a small group, shared their stories with inmates, and joined a virtual small group with volunteers from other states. In May 2025 they invited us to host their Mother’s Day Hope Event at Whitworth.

We’ve asked about bringing a Prison Fellowship Academy-style resource to Lincolnton, where the transient county-jail population needs something shorter. Sign up for their emails. You’ll be blessed.

Visit Prison Fellowship

09 · Reimbursement

Bought something for GPM?

You may be asked to order items or pick up pizza and paper goods for an outreach. Get pre-approval first. Then send the request below with a photo of your receipt.

Your email app will open addressed to the GPM leaders, the missions pastor and the church financial assistant. Attach your receipt photo before sending.