The Word Within.

Bringing Christ to the Imprisoned.

Christian Library International distributes donated
Christian books to US prisons

The mission of CLI is to bring Christ to the imprisoned. Since its founding in 1996, CLI has helped thousands of incarcerated men and women find new hope in the healing powers of Christ. With a small Christian staff and a team of devoted volunteers, CLI maintains a low overhead, ensuring that the bulk of our resources go directly to the prisons we support. Our success depends on the prayers and generosity of individual donors as well as local churches, foundations and Christian publishers. To learn more about how you or your church can help CLI to reach more prisoners for Christ, click here.

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Inmate Letters

 

Inmate Karen writes:

"How can I begin to thank you for the Bible? I love it! And I received it December 24-Christmas Eve! I felt I received a Christmas gift. I know the blessing comes from God, but I wanted to thank you and all the others at CLI who allow themselves to be used by God. It is my prayer that someday God will find a use for me too in His kingdom's business. I dove right in and am so delighted with the way this study Bible explains everything that I feel like a brand new world has opened up. I was led to start in Isaiah. He is among the prophets rich in symbolism that I have struggled in the past to understand. I am so excited that I can't explain it."

Indeed, Karen, you have explained beautifully the joy and excitement felt by inmates when they receive and read a book that speaks to their heart. Prison chaplains tell us that Christmas can be a depressing time for inmates. Being away from loved ones takes a toll on them, and many feel like they have been forgotten. The chaplains say the library is an oasis where men and women are able to read a book or listen to a CD and forget for awhile where they are. In using these materials they know someone on the outside is thinking of them, and they are encouraged.

Throughout Paul's epistles he tells us to encourage one another, which is another way of expressing the command Jesus gave us: to love one another. We are asking you to send to CLI a Bible, Christian book, CD, or DVD that will encourage someone in a prison or youth detention center. We'll send it to a chaplain or an individual inmate. It can be a new book or one in good condition that you have read and appreciated the message. It is a little gift that can have an eternal effect.

Send a Bible, Christian book, CD, or DVD that will encourage someone in a prison or youth detention center today! Written for CLI by Ann Johnson

Purchase a Bible or case of Bibles for a prison!

 

 

Check out the New CLI Blog!  

See the latest CLI news, send us your comments and see them posted at: http://cli-nc.blogspot.com/

See the last Author Dinner Photos

 

 

Prison Praises

"Thank you for the gift of the NIV Study Bible. You have been generous and I will try not to take advantage of that. Thank you for accepting me into the Christian Leadership course. I look forward to learning more and, if appropriate, to be a learning aid to others. I am trying to submit my will to the Lord's. It is difficult at times but no one ever said this was an easy path.

The Bible you sent and my starting studies have born unexpected fruit. Some inmates have asked me to organize a Bible Study group. If you have any suggestions for group study I would welcome your input. Yours in Christ,"

Inmate George, Canton, GA

I had reached a time in my life where I was very depressed and in the throes of alcoholism and drug addiction. I was suicidal and the police were dispatched to my home. Unfortunately, I charged them with a gun and was shot down by the officers. I spent a long time chained to the bed in the ICU. Eventually, though, I found myself alone in a concrete cell in the jail hospital. I had no possessions... no books or even a toothbrush, and I was without God in my heart. The jail chaplain brought me a Bible and D.L. Moody's 'The Overcoming Life'. These (CLI books) I read carefully and I gave my heart to Jesus in that jail cell right there in the St. Louis County Jail's infirmary. I have experienced a profound healing in my gunshot arm as well as have been given a second chance by the judge. So long as I stay with God, I will stay clean and sober and if I stay clean and sober... well, I don't have to worry about going back to prison. Thank you for reaching out to inmates, those in jail are in tremendous spiritual agony and really need organizations such as yours."

Former Inmate Christopher