Tonga (MNN) — Many prisoners in Tonga are detained as a result of violent riots. A race war between indigenous Tongans and Chinese businessmen is the cause of much of the violence.
Correctional officials in Tonga believe a strong Bible study would provide racial reconciliation through teaching forgiveness. With the help of Crossroad Bible Institute, it will provide much more.
CBI has been operating a prison ministry for over 25 years. Although they do not have a site in Tonga, they do have a distribution center in Australia, which will now provide materials for prisons in Tonga as well as for the nearby island country of Vanuatu.
Although racial violence does not appear to be a problem in Vanuatu, correctional officials there are also in favor of a faith-based program in their prisons. They are especially interested in the ability of these types of programs to increase success rates of inmates when they are released.
With clear support from both countries, CBI will be able to minister freely within prisons, but their ministry will be sure to bring more than just success upon release or reconciliation. CBI brings the hope of Jesus Christ to seemingly hopeless situations by clearly explaining the Gospel to incarcerated individuals.
