What We Do
Christian Library International serves adult and youth prison inmates by providing Christian books, Bibles, CDs, and DVDs to prisons, jails and youth detention centers. The new and used materials are shipped directly to chaplains who distribute them by means of a lending library, a book cart or by personally giving them to the inmates. God matches up just the right book, with just the right inmate at just the right time! See the CLI 2012 Annual Report.
How Does God Use CLI?
Since we stamp our books with our address, we receive thousands of letters from inmates. CLI volunteers answer each letter personally enclosing a gospel tract and application for a free Bible correspondence study. Our volunteers usually add encouraging remarks and relevant Bible scripture.
Inmates accepted for the CLI Bible study receive their lessons in 16 installments. When they finish one lesson, CLI volunteers review and send back the completed lesson along with the next one. The lessons are designed to help inmates grow in their faith as well as to be a help to those around them.
Why Prisons?
A large number of prison inmates are reaching out and seeking help. In the US alone:
- More than one in every 100 adults is in jail or prison
- The rate of increase for prison costs was six times greater than for higher education spending
- 2.3 million, out of 230 million Americans, are in prison
God wants the strongholds in prison to be broken because:
- God created men and women in His image. Genesis 1:27
- “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
- He saved the thief on the cross. Luke 23:43
- The sinful woman forgiven: “But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47
- Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” Luke 4:18
- We give out the good news by providing books, Bibles and other Christian materials.
Purpose Statement
Christian Library International (CLI) exists to glorify the Triune God by providing books, Bibles and other Christian resources to adult and youth inmates for the purpose of turning their hearts to Him through Jesus Christ in love and faithful service.