An inter-denominational service was held about the prisoners of Zambia a few days before on May 24,2014 in Northmead Assembly of God Church in Lusaka. There were many speakers and one among them was Dr. Rajan Mahtani who is presently the chairman Finance Bank Zambia. He is also the chairman of the Prisons Fellowship of Zambia (PFZ).
Rajan Mahtani said that the prisoners are the most disregarded and forgotten people in Zambia. He also mentioned that they are very close to God’s heart and that He is very much concerned about them. Stressing on God’s concern, he asked the Christians to reflect on their priorities by putting the Church resources into prison ministry. He said that the Zambian society and the Christians to become the voices for voiceless in promoting and advocating a fair and just criminal justice system.
He said, "We must remember our Lord does not dwell in buildings built with bricks, but close to the broken hearted, despised and outcasts. He hears the cry of the prisoners and is with them and wants his body to minister to the Church behind the bars. Prisons need the light, love and hope and we are the only ones that can take transforming love into prisons."
Here we shall not forget about what Nelson Mandela said. According to him, no one would truly know a nation until being in jail at least for once. That a nation should never be judged by how it cares for its highest citizens, but the lowest ones-the imprisoned people. There is in fact no wrong with holding the wrongdoers in the prison. Since they committed crimes, they deserved to be there but that doesn’t mean that human being will turn to be animals. He made it a point to mention that the criminals who are imprisoned should be treated in the most compassionate and humane manner. Imprisonment will be in the society and is for the mankind. It’s a great way to stop criminals from committing any further crimes and a means of correcting them.
Rajan Mahtani said that PFZ shall continue to draw together and allow the jailers get experience and varying skills needed for them to share Lord’s word.
"The Church is the only one that has the potential in combating crime at its root. Prison fellowship is committed to recruit, train and encourage followers of Christ to have a vital ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. It is the belief of PFZ that all inmates and ex-inmates have the potential to be rehabilitated by administering to both their spiritual and physical needs through evangelism, rendering support, life skills and guidance required to empower them to lead a normal and self-sustaining life," he elaborated.
Rajan Mahtani said that the prisoners are the most disregarded and forgotten people in Zambia. He also mentioned that they are very close to God’s heart and that He is very much concerned about them. Stressing on God’s concern, he asked the Christians to reflect on their priorities by putting the Church resources into prison ministry. He said that the Zambian society and the Christians to become the voices for voiceless in promoting and advocating a fair and just criminal justice system.
He said, "We must remember our Lord does not dwell in buildings built with bricks, but close to the broken hearted, despised and outcasts. He hears the cry of the prisoners and is with them and wants his body to minister to the Church behind the bars. Prisons need the light, love and hope and we are the only ones that can take transforming love into prisons."
Here we shall not forget about what Nelson Mandela said. According to him, no one would truly know a nation until being in jail at least for once. That a nation should never be judged by how it cares for its highest citizens, but the lowest ones-the imprisoned people. There is in fact no wrong with holding the wrongdoers in the prison. Since they committed crimes, they deserved to be there but that doesn’t mean that human being will turn to be animals. He made it a point to mention that the criminals who are imprisoned should be treated in the most compassionate and humane manner. Imprisonment will be in the society and is for the mankind. It’s a great way to stop criminals from committing any further crimes and a means of correcting them.
Rajan Mahtani said that PFZ shall continue to draw together and allow the jailers get experience and varying skills needed for them to share Lord’s word.
"The Church is the only one that has the potential in combating crime at its root. Prison fellowship is committed to recruit, train and encourage followers of Christ to have a vital ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. It is the belief of PFZ that all inmates and ex-inmates have the potential to be rehabilitated by administering to both their spiritual and physical needs through evangelism, rendering support, life skills and guidance required to empower them to lead a normal and self-sustaining life," he elaborated.