JAIL MINISTRIES

Jesus is alive and working in the lives of the people in the Polk County Jail, both the incarcerated and Sheriff’s Office employees.

Discipleship
Outreach Center

ALL PEOPLES FROM ALL NATIONS

The theme for 2025 is based on The Gospel of Matthew as it reveals God’s heart for all peoples from all nations to be transformed by the birth, life, and sacrificial death of His Son. Matthew makes it clear that the gospel is for both Jew and Gentile, as seen through his accounts of Jesus reaching out to the marginalized, the sinners, the sick, and the diseased. Jesus stepped into the messiness of humanity to demonstrate His love. He desired a relationship with us—one so deep and personal that He gave His life on the cross to make it possible.

Iowa’s recidivism rate is over 37% within the first three years after release and up to 70% overall; however, among those who experience the transforming power of the Gospel of Christ, only 6% return to prison or jail.

Once out of jail, we encourage people to attend a Bible-teaching church and commit to finding a mentor to help keep them accountable. Our Discipleship Outreach Center (DOC) in east Des Moines provides opportunities for personal discipleship for those getting out of jail. We want to make disciples who make disciples.

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives.”

Isaiah 61:11