Karen Vinyard began volunteering in corrections ministry while her husband was serving 13 years in prison for drug-related charges. Their daughter, who was 10 years old when her father was arrested, grew up, graduated from college and got married while her dad was in prison.
Vinyard told Baptist Press — “I tell people, It’s not something that I planned for my life. Now what are we going to do with it? We have a choice to make in this. We can hide it, be ashamed of it, or we can use it to somehow allow God to bring glory to Him and to use us in this.”
Vinyard chose the latter. Today, she and her husband, who was released from prison last year, are active members of First Baptist Church of Eldorado, Ill. While she is grateful for their current season of life, Vinyard remains deeply committed to helping other families still struggling like she was.
Along with reaching out to families, Vinyard has a burden for helping churches assist former inmates with their re-entry into society.
Vinyard said issues for those with incarcerated family members range from financial stress to loneliness to a sense of shame. Helpful responses can include such practical steps as inviting the family over for a meal, sitting with a parent who is alone at a child’s sporting event, or volunteering to take a child shopping for school clothes.
“The comfort that the Holy Spirit gives you is not just to bring you comfort,” Vinyard said. “It truly is then to share with others.”