Prisoners of Hope Congregation

Prisoners of Hope Congregation Inmate Prints Schedule of Events Contact

Prisoners of Hope Congregation, Prairie Correctional Facility, Appleton, MN

Prisoners of Hope Congregation is an affiliate of the Prison Congregations of America. Their mission statement is "to collaborate with Christian denominations and prison officials so that prison congregations are established in state prisons across America".
Prisoners of Hope Congregation supports the mission statement
"Welcoming one another as Christ welcomed us."
The logo on the right depicts how most all people can relate to the helpless feelings of being a slave to something, or someone.  We have all been slaves to sin, in many different ways.  At Prisoners of Hope, we want to break those chains and build each other up in the spirit.  We share the Peace of the Lord through fellowship, and pray that all can know the true power and freedom that are in Christ.  So, if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!

Tuesday Night Worship Services

Visitors are welcome to attend the Tuesday night worship service at Prisoners of Hope Lutheran Church in Appleton, Minnesota. Worship begins at 6:40 PM, with an opportunity to join the choir and participate in conversation following the service. Contact Pastor Roger Semmler (320-220-0613) or Pati Arnold (320-289-2216) to schedule your visit. Groups of up to 15 are allowed to worship with the men on Tuesday nights. This is a very fulfilling worship, with music, the Word, and fellowship. We invite you to gather with us to worship. Please contact Pati Arnold to set up a night when your church can join us in worship.

Kite Pin Project

Prisoners send “kites” (memos) to persons with whom they was to communicate in prison. So if there is a congregation within the prison, the members would send a kite to the pastor if they wanted to speak to him or her. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who live behind prison walls are asking that we not forget them.

The kite pins are meant to be worn as a remembrance of the people whom you have served by supporting Prison Congregations of America. May the kite also be a reminder to you and others who see it, that you care for the imprisoned and their families. It is no accident that this beautiful symbol of support and love has as its main support, a cross. It is attached with a string as we are to the grace of God and its needs wind, the Holy Spirit, to lift it into the sky.

Consider having a group in you church – perhaps the WELCA or the youth group sell these pins as a means of supporting Prison Congregations of America. Pins are available for $5/each

Inmate Prints

Each visiting congregation recieves an inmate print as a gift to the congregation. This print is changed each year, with inmates from all Prison Congregations of America contributing art for the print. View  the print that is currently being given to visiting congregations. Other prints are posted on the linked page.

Inside/Outside Church Council

Prisoners of Hope Congregation is governed by both an Inside Council and an Outside Council. The Inside Council is made up of inmates who meet monthly to work on worship design, to make recommendations regarding where their financial donations are directed, and to problem solve issues that arise in the facility. The Outside Council also meets monthly and deals with issues regarding the budget, management issues, worship logistics, and outreach to supporting congregations. The two councils meet together quarterly and share in joint decision making for the Prisoners of Hope Congregation.