The following article, entitled “Bibles in demand” written by Janette Gellatly, appeared in the Southland Express on Thursday 26 June featuring Ann Heather who has been doing the Positive Lifestyle Programme in the Invercargill Prison.
CELEBRATE Recovery Bibles are so popular at the Invercargill Prison that keeping up with requests is proving a challenge.
Positive Lifestyle Programme volunteer Ann Heather, from The Salvation Army, said the bibles were designed for people who were dealing with addiction issues.
Addiction came in many forms, Mrs Heather said, from an inability to stop shopping, excessive use of electronic games or the more familiar smoking, drugs and alcohol.
Similar to the 12 steps to recovery programme, the bibles included eight recovery principles and accompanying Christ-centred 12-steps, she said.
The 10 week Positive Lifestyle Programme was available inside the prison, as well as for groups and individuals on the outside.
“The programme is not just for prisoners, we also have people who self-refer.”
The run on bibles began when an inmate saw the bible Mrs Heather used at the prison and asked for a copy.
“The guys had seen (Mrs Heather’s husband) Bruce’s bible and asked if they could have some.”
She had already given two bibles away and had “ear-marked” another two to give to people, she said.
Recently the Invercargill Christian Centre (ICC), on Leet St, donated money to buy 10 recovery bibles, Mrs Heather said.
ICC Pastor Ian Wright, who had also been involved with ministry in the prison since he arrived in Invercargill 25 years ago, said “if we can help we will”.
He said the recovery bible was specifically designed with testaments from everyday people, and was based on the principles which Alcoholics Anonymous used.
“It is a really good bible… at the beginning of every book, (such as Genesis and Exodus) there is a run-down about what the book is about.”
Pastor Wright is also part of a ministry group who visited the prison twice a year [note: should have read month], he said.
The Salvation Army Invercargill holds a Recovery style meeting each week at 105 Tay Street, Invercargill from 6:30pm on Sunday evenings which is open to anyone that has addiction issues be that: gambling, drugs, alcohol, pornography, chocolate, shopping etc.
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