CEDARVILLE, OHIO, Dec. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year–a season of warmth, connection, and celebration. But for the more than 11 million incarcerated individuals worldwide, the holiday can feel markedly different. With limited contact from loved ones and few opportunities for support, December 25 often slowly passes as a day of deep isolation and even regret. While families across the country gather to celebrate and reflect on the season's meaning, many in jails and prisons spend the holiday alone, navigating an environment that can intensify feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Good News Global, a global ministry serving the incarcerated population, is working to change that narrative by offering hope, encouragement, and a meaningful reminder that people behind bars have not been forgotten during a time when it is needed most. Kevin Howells, lead advancement officer for the Richmond, Virginia-based Global News Global ministry, is preparing a significant expansion of its Hope Pack & Presence initiative in 2025. Good News Global plans to deliver nearly 75,000 Hope Packs to incarcerated individuals, correctional staff, and, where permitted, families of inmates around the world. The annual effort seeks to bring light to the darkness, despair, and loneliness experienced by many behind bars by sharing the love and message of Jesus during Christmas and throughout the year. Howells, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1990 from Cedarville University, introduced the Hope Pack outreach to Good News Global, and the impact since its inception in 2021 has brought hope and encouragement to thousands of inmates worldwide. The program has grown rapidly thanks to the generosity of churches and donors, as well as the work of former inmate and now GNG chaplain Richard Van Arsdale. VanArsdale contacted Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago to learn more about its hope pack initiative it started years earlier. Willow Creek partnered with Good News Global, opening the door to a collaboration that continues to expand. “Hope Packs represents our greatest direct gospel outreach to incarcerated people and those impacted by incarceration,” said Howells. “We can put the Gospel message in the hands of receptive inmates this Christmas.” In 2025, Hope Packs and personal visits from Good News Global chaplains are expected to reach 170 correctional facilities in 20 U.S. states and 20 countries. Nearly 300 chaplains serve year-round in these facilities, building trusted relationships that support spiritual growth and long-term discipleship. Each Hope Pack is assembled with care to convey encouragement and compassion. While contents vary by region, every pack includes a Christmas bag, a greeting card with a personalized message, a 2026 calendar, and a clear presentation of the Gospel. In the United States, most packs include Armor, a 200-page book featuring devotionals, poems, artwork, and activities created for individuals behind bars. International packs may include Bibles, gospel tracts, or devotionals. Food items–such as cookies or chips in the U.S. and staples like rice, flour or sugar abroad–offer practical comfort. Many packs also include socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items. For Good News Global chaplains, Hope Packs are more than a seasonal gift. They create opportunities for meaningful conversations about healing, restoration and faith. “We're not just handing out a bag–we're delivering hope,” said Howells. Many inmates express deep appreciation for the initiative's impact. “The book has given me hope and peace to my heart,” wrote an inmate from Visalia, Calif., referencing the Armor resource. “I've learned from the activities and stories and feel the love of God from everyone that has helped with this book.” Key leaders have also recognized the ministry's work. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the mission, saying, “Good News has decided to shine a light on a very simple, yet profound truth that there is hope and there is value in every single person on this planet.” About Good News Global Founded in 1961, Good News Global serves incarcerated individuals in the United States and more than 23 countries. Nearly 300 chaplains and staff minister in 300 facilities, providing daily access to more than 400,000 incarcerated men, women and youth. The ministry partners with sheriffs and corrections professionals, guided by the belief that every person has inherent worth and that God has a plan for each individual. More information, including video resources and stories of impact, is available on Good News Global's website. About Cedarville University Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation's top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal's 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu. Hope Packs will be delivered to the following jails in the United States: Jail, Chaplain, and Facility Arizona Pinal County John Jefferson Pinal County California Visalia David May & Bob Wiley Detention Center Colorado Colorado Springs/Pueblo Alicia Reeves La Vista Correctional Facility Canon City Marcus Baird CMC Arrowhead Correctional Ctr Delta Ryan Dyer Delta Correctional Center La Plata Dennis Reimer La Plata County Detention Facility Florida Lake County Jim Cornell Lake County Detention Center Lake Sumter Chris Ferris Sumter County Detention Center Orange County Douglas Foley Orange County Corrections Dept. Leon County Lenny Marshall Leon County Detention Center Brevard County Darin Schoch Brevard County Jail Volusia County Rick Cawthon Volusia County Correctional Okaloosa Chaplain Hardesty Okaloosa County Detention Ctr. Hawaii Big Island Mike Sidman Hawaii Community Correctional Illinois Chicago Eric Peng Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Indiana Evansville Scott Bailes Vanderburgh County Confinement Kentucky Daviess County Jesse Harrell Daviess County Detention Center Maryland Montgomery County Todd Borbidge Montgomery County Correctional Anne Arundel Brit Fletcher Ordnance Road Correctional Ctr. Carroll County Derrick Seegars Carroll County Detention Center Minnesota Hennepin County Jeff Freeman Hennepin County Adult Correction Mississippi Lauderdale County Dennis Marks Lauderdale County Detention Harrison County Tony Graham Harrison County Detention Center Jackson County Yogi Taylor Jackson County, A.D.C. Nebraska Omaha/Council Bluffs Merlyn Klaus Douglas County, Sarpy County Lancaster County Sheldo Crapo Lancaster County Corrections New York Monroe County Brian Duclos Monroe County Jail Niagara County Bill Whitmore Niagara County Correctional Pennsylvania York Paul Beliasov York County Prison Washington County Mike Pierson Washington County Correctional Tennessee Sullivan Kent Pugh Sullivan County Jail Utah Salt Lake Nic Higgins Salt Lake County Metro Jail Virginia Fairfax County Emerson Kim Fairfax County Adult Detention Ctr. Arlington County Michele Reynolds Arlington County Detention Facility Prince William County Ray Perez Prince William Manassas Regional ADC Chesterfield Cam Abell Chesterfield County Jail Regional Virginia Tarron Howe Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail Virginia Beach Joe Kelty Virginia Beach Correctional Center Danville/Franklin Jason Cizek Danville City Jail Martinsville Joe Collins Martinsville City Jail Abingdon Danny Thompson Abingson Regional Jail Charlottesville Richard Van Arsdale Albermarle/Charlottesville/Nelson Wisconsin Eau Claire Brian Jahn Eau Claire County Jail Sheboygan County Jimmy Hildebrandt Sheboygan County Detention Ctr.
Attachments
Mark D. Weinstein
Cedarville University
937-766-8800
mweinstein@cedarville.edu