Locked in Solidarity, CCDA’s awareness & action week on mass incarceration, was February 4-11, 2024. We were able to gather with a contingent of our members who helpfully informed us of what’s happening on the ground and what we should highlight. The theme this year was Restorative Justice.
We want to equip you with resources, templates, and opportunities to connect, to help you raise awareness in your community! Join us as we learn, love, and advocate for our loved ones affected by incarceration.
Navigate this webpage:
- LIS 2024 Webinars
- Excerpt of Sermon by Rev. Kevin Burns
- Prayer by Rev. Kevin Burns
- LIS 2024 Bundle
- Increase Awareness in your Community
- Join our Locked in Solidarity Network
LIS 2024 Webinars
Excerpt of Sermon by Rev. Kevin Burns
Rev. Kevin Burns is a Chaplain on Tennessee’s Death Row.
“God’s plan of restoration, reconciliation, and redemption was through the promise of a Messiah, Jesus, God’s Son, God Himself. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s restorative justice for you and me and all the world. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, we are restored, we are reconciled to God. God then gives us the ministry of telling others how they can be reconciled and restored back to God. The Apostle Paul summarized God’s restorative justice better than I can. He wrote, ‘For as by one man’s disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Jesus) shall many be made righteous’ (Romans 5:19).
I praise God that He has restored me. I praise God that through faith in Jesus Christ, I am not what the court system says I am. I am redeemed. I am reconciled. I am restored, and I have been given the ministry of reconciliation. That is my purpose. That is my calling. And it is your calling as well.”
Read the rest of the sermon, including a call to Biblical restorative justice by Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs, by downloading the LIS bundle below.
Prayer by Rev. Kevin Burns
Gracious and eternal God,
in the name of Jesus our Lord, we thank You.
We thank You that You are a just God, perfect and righteous in all Your ways.
I thank You, Lord God, that Your justice and Your mercy are extended unto us.
I thank You, Lord God, that You redeemed me.
You restored me back in righteousness.
You reconciled me back to Yourself
and have given me a clear mind and a clear conscience.
A conscience that is without guilt.
A conscience that is clean, Lord God.
You have also given me a spirit that is clean.
You have renewed me and given me peace in my spirit,
in my mind, in my body,
and have made peace between Yourself and me.
Lord, I thank You.
And then, through Your grace found in Jesus,
You sought out opportunities, according to the Scripture,
to have mercy on all who will call upon Your name.
I pray, Lord, that we as a people will come to know You
and Your restorative justice.
That we will come to know You in righteousness.
That we will come to know You are the God of restoration.
You are a God who loves mercy and seeks mercy out.
You are a God who is waiting for Your people to call upon Your name.
Lord, I pray we come to know You as the just God You are.
Lord, we bless You, we honor You,
and we praise You for all of this and many other wonderful blessings.
In Christ Jesus, we pray.
Amen and Amen.
2024 LIS Bundle
For 2024, we have a bundle of resources here for you to easily learn, love, and advocate for those affected by incarceration in your community. Download it below to receive all these resources, as well as the entire LIS sermon, for free!
Locked in Solidarity Network
The Locked in Solidarity Network is an informal band of CCDA leaders & partners from cities across the United States who share a common passion for mass incarceration, and who seek company, wisdom and practical assistance in local engagement and collective, national response.
