A prison may seem like an unlikely place to find hope. But across Nigeria, men and women behind prison walls are encountering the Word of God, discovering the hope found in Christ, and beginning journeys of faith that can continue long after their sentences end.

Through Oasis International’s partnership with Good News Global - Nigeria, Bibles are reaching inmates, prison officers, chaplains, and ministry volunteers. And the stories emerging from this ministry remind us that putting a Bible into someone’s hands can be the beginning of something much bigger.

A Mission Field Behind Prison Walls

Good News Global’s prison ministry in Nigeria has deep roots. The work began under the leadership of the late Rev. Nelson Akpan. After working closely alongside his father, his son was later appointed to continue the ministry.

For him, however, continuing this work is about far more than carrying on a family legacy.

“Prison is a mission field, but not many people actually see it as a mission field,” he explained in a video testimony.

Prison ministry can be difficult and often goes unnoticed. Yet he describes the work as both a burden and a passion that comes from Christ’s command to take the Gospel into the world.

That commitment has shaped a ministry that seeks not only to reach people while they are incarcerated, but also to walk alongside them when they leave.

More Than 2,000 Bibles, Thousands of Opportunities

In 2024, Good News Global - Nigeria received 2,245 Bibles, including Africa Study Bibles and medium and small editions of the NLT Africa Edition Bible.

The Bibles were distributed to newly converted inmates, prison officers, chaplains, and volunteers during prison evangelistic outreaches across Nigeria.

And the hunger for Scripture remains strong.

“The demand for the NLT Bible is very, very high, even in the prison and outside the prisons,” the ministry leader shared. “Anytime we go into the facility, the demand for NLT Bible is on a very high rate.”

For those who receive the Africa Study Bible, its African perspective can be particularly meaningful. He explained that released inmates have found the resource helpful because “they found the Bible according to African context.” He has seen it help them in their relationship with the Lord and as they share their faith with others.

One prison officer similarly shared:

“It didn’t occur to me that through my work in the prison service, I could have a good Bible of this nature. The Africa Study Bible helps me study the Bible in an African way and understand it deeply.”

“The Bible Has Changed My Life”

Behind those distribution numbers are individual lives.

Forty-year-old Samuel was serving a five-year prison sentence. He had despised the church, but on his birthday, another inmate persuaded him to attend a worship service. That decision became a turning point, and Samuel gave his life to Christ.

Another inmate described receiving a Bible while incarcerated as a life-changing gift:

“I am thrilled that through my imprisonment, I have received a life-changing gift. The Bible has changed my life focus and redirected me to my Creator.”

These experiences echo what Good News Global is witnessing across its ministry.

“Despite the fact that they are there in the prison... they have found hope through the Bible,” the ministry leader said.

It is a hope that reaches beyond circumstances. As he explained, inmates are experiencing “peace” and “hope that only Jesus Christ can provide, even while they are there in the prisons.”

From Receiving the Bible to Studying It

Providing access to Scripture is only part of the journey. Good News Global - Nigeria is also helping inmates learn and understand what they read.

On February 5, 2025, 43 inmates at Umuahia Custodial Centre graduated after completing the God’s Amazing Book series, a course from the Community Bible Study curriculum used by the ministry to conduct Bible classes in prisons across Nigeria.

The Controller of Corrections for Abia State, Josephine Ogbeifun, attended the graduation and was welcomed into the Good News Global - Nigeria family. Ministry board chairman Effiong Michael also presented her with an Africa Study Bible.

For the graduating inmates, it was an occasion filled with joy and encouragement. But perhaps Ndukwe Emeh, one of the graduates, expressed the impact most powerfully:

“The Amazing Book of God is the Bible. Nobody can destroy it. The Bible brings light to the place of darkness and gives hope to hopeless people like me. I am happy that I attended this lesson. My hope is in the God of the Bible.”

Hope That Continues Beyond Prison

That hope does not have to stop at the prison gates.

Good News Global seeks to follow up with people after their release, connecting them with local churches and helping them continue growing in their faith. Some are sent to Bible school. Others who have learned trades or business skills receive support as they seek a source of income after imprisonment.

The ministry leader shared one remarkable result: “I can count like two of them are pastors in our assemblies.”

His vision for the future reaches even further. He hopes to establish rehabilitation training centers where released inmates could develop practical skills such as carpentry, tailoring, and electrical work, further their education, or prepare for ministry.

Some, he hopes, could ultimately be equipped as missionaries and sent to serve others.

It completes a beautiful picture of transformation: the person who once received ministry behind prison walls can one day become the person carrying the Gospel to someone else.

Your Bible Gift Becomes Part of Someone’s Story

A Bible distribution number tells us how many books were provided. Stories like Samuel’s and Ndukwe’s help us understand what those numbers can mean.

A Bible can be opened in a prison cell. It can become part of a Bible class. It can help someone newly following Jesus understand his faith. It can accompany someone beyond prison as he rebuilds his life. And, as Good News Global has already witnessed, a person reached in prison can eventually become a pastor serving others.

That is why your Bible gift matters.

Through your generosity and partners like Good News Global - Nigeria, men and women behind prison walls are being given access to God’s Word and an opportunity to discover the hope of Christ for themselves.

As the ministry leader put it, “Prison is a mission field.”

And in that mission field, God is at work.

Prison warders with Africa Study Bibles

This interview transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

With just a $25 monthly donation, you can help provide more new believers and prisoners with contextualized and relevant discipleship tools such as the Africa Study Bible, New Living Translation Text  Bibles (Africa Edition), and other resources, often with training on how to use these unique tools. Click here to give and help bring real change to the church in Africa.