There is no more fertile ground than prisons to bring the message of hope that comes from a relationship with God. Beyond the Sentence refers to what we can do, both inside the walls and outside, to help those who are incarcerated and then as they transition into re-entry.

Serving Opportunities Outside the Walls:

- Bambi – 2nd and 4th Wednesday Noon – 2:00 pm at Santa Maria @ Bonita House
*Hold babies and encourage moms in treatment while also incarcerated through TDCJ.

Serving Opportunities Inside the Walls @ Carol Vance Prison in Richmond, TX:

- Alpha Course – weekly on Thursday from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
*Groups of co-ed volunteers meet in small groups of men on inside with their families to explore what it means to be a Christian. 

- Kairos Weekend – next one is Oct. 11-13, 2024, Friday-Sunday,
*Mark Montalbano from Mercy Street will lead. Similar to Walk to Emmaus. Sharing love of Christ with 42 men inside.

Angel Tree – Dec. 7, 2024, Saturday, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
*Christmas Crafts with children and families of men inside

- Day with Dad – Spring, 2025, Saturday, 7:00 am – 2:30 pm
*Fun day with children and families of men inside

- Revision – 1st Fridays, Ellis Unit in Huntsville
*Connecting with Youth Offender Program (under 18 yrs.) with food, fellowship, and fun inside the prison.

To go inside prison, Steve Keyser steve@mercystreet.org , will need to get you on the Gate List at the prison:
- Will need your name as it appears on your Driver’s License and the last 4 digits of your license.
- If you have been in prison, in any state, will need the date of your release and your prison number (TDCJ number).
- You are allowed to go inside the prison four separate times as a Guest. After that you will need to become a TDCJ Volunteer. Fill out an online TDCJ Volunteer application and take the online training and then be approved: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/php/prod/volunteer_training/
- This TDCJ Volunteer approval process can take up to 4-6 weeks.
- Ex-offenders must wait 12 months before they can go in as a volunteer.

Serving outside the walls and from home, we want to show our support to men and women by writing to them in prison. We show them that God cares, that Mercy Street Cares.

For more information, contact Steve at steve@mercystreet.org

Do you remember the adults that invested in you as a kid? At Mercy Street we love our kids. We want them to grow in wonder of who God is and catch a glimpse of how much God loves them. Hang out with us during children's church. We would love to have you!

Contact: Amber@MercyStreet.org

Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?? Awkward, fun, energetic, and sometimes a little crazy! Come spend a Saturday night with our teens. Commit to a Saturday every 5-6 weeks.

Contact: MaggieK@MercyStreet.org

We fellowship, sing, worship, and pray with the women of Santa Maria, the alcohol & Drug recovery center, every Saturday at 1:00pm. Your Presence is enough.

Contact: Steve@MercyStreet.org

Saving lives one meeting at a time every Saturday morning at 10AM. We support homeless residents at recenter and each other. Meetings are open to everyone regardless of what life throws your way (Addiction, mental health, or any struggles). Location: Recenter - 3809 Main St. Contact: Steve@MercyStreet.org

We aim to be the most inviting church in the city! Join us each Saturday to create a welcoming environment for all who walk through our doors. Serve with the: greeters, set-up, tear-down, merch table, communion, cameras, etc.

Contact: Info@MercyStreet.org