Hope Behind Bars: How Good News Global Brings the Light of Christmas to the Forgotten

As millions of Americans gather around festive tables this Christmas, savoring the joy of family and friends, there is a quiet ache resonating within the stark walls of jails and prisons. For countless inmates across the U.S. and beyond, the season of joy can feel like an unrelenting reminder of their solitude and separation. Yet, one Virginia-based prison ministry, Good News Global, is on a mission to bring hope, love, and the message of Christ to those behind bars—reminding them they are not forgotten.

Through its ambitious initiative, Good News Global will hand-deliver 65,000 “Hope Packs” to incarcerated individuals across 18 states and 20 countries this Christmas season. These humble packages contain a Christmas gift, a heartfelt card, a 2025 calendar, hygiene items, food, and, most importantly, the Gospel message—a small yet profound token of care that has transformed lives.

For some inmates, it will be their first Christmas gift ever. For others, it marks the first time they will hear the message of Jesus.

The Hope of Christmas in Their Hands

“Hope Packs represent our greatest outreach to incarcerated persons ever,” says Jon Evans, president of Good News Global. “This Christmas, we will put hope in the hands of 65,000 receptive inmates. We believe that everyone has inherent worth in the eyes of God, and providing Hope Packs is a tangible way to demonstrate that.”

This ministry initiative is a monumental undertaking, involving the efforts of volunteers from local churches, community groups, and even prison staff. These volunteers lovingly assemble each pack, ensuring that no detail—however small—is overlooked.

But this isn’t just about gifts. Good News Global’s outreach provides a spiritual lifeline. Through their chaplaincy program, they preach the Gospel to over 400,000 incarcerated men, women, and youth every year, offering guidance, comfort, and a reminder of God’s unconditional love.

The Hardest Walls to Break Are Emotional

Life in prison is a crucible of loss, regret, and isolation. For many inmates, the pain of being separated from family during the holidays is unbearable. Chaplain Joe Kelty, who ministers to prisoners, says, “Your life is essentially over [in jail]. If ever there was a time you would turn to God, it’s probably when you’re going through something like that.”

Some of the most meaningful moments in the ministry come during profound loss. “One of the hardest conversations is when an inmate learns that a loved one has died. They’re grieving, and they can’t be with their family,” Kelty shares. “It’s in these moments that we see God at work most powerfully.”

Through Hope Packs and pastoral care, the ministry shows that Jesus’s love knows no boundaries—not even prison walls.

A Seed of Faith That Grows

Good News Global’s Christmas outreach began in 2021 with just 500 Hope Packs, inspired by a formerly incarcerated chaplain who remembered receiving one himself years earlier. The initiative has grown exponentially since then—partnering with churches like Willow Creek Community Church—and is now reaching tens of thousands annually.

For inmates, these packs are more than a collection of items. They’re a lifeline.

One inmate wrote to the ministry, saying, “I almost gave up. I told God to show me a sign today, or I didn’t think I could believe anymore. Then I read the card in the Hope Pack and started to cry. To think that someone was praying for me—it touched my heart.”

Hope Beyond Borders

Good News Global’s mission doesn’t stop at American prisons. Internationally, the ministry works with chaplains to extend hope to ex-inmates and families of prisoners. They provide emergency aid—soap, food, toiletries—alongside the Gospel.

With over 11 million people incarcerated worldwide, the need for hope and the message of redemption is staggering. For Good News Global, each pack delivered is a testament to their belief that every life, no matter the circumstances, holds infinite value in God’s eyes.

This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, may we also remember those in the shadows of society—those whose hearts, like the shepherds on that first Christmas night, long for a glimmer of hope. Through the tireless efforts of ministries like Good News Global, the incarcerated are reminded that while the walls around them may be cold and confining, the love of Christ is boundless and eternal.

In their hands, a simple Hope Pack becomes a declaration of God’s enduring promise: You are loved. You are seen. You are not forgotten.