What Went Wrong?
The What Went Wrong?™ Program
What Went Wrong? is a booklet that offers inmates an opportunity to learn about Christ and enroll themselves and their children in an effective Bible correspondence program. This program is called the Truth Chasers Club (formerly the CEF Mailbox Club™).
This eight-page booklet asks the inmate the question "What Went Wrong?" Basically, it says, "You didn't plan to be in prison, but you are, and that's because of sin." The Gospel is presented and the reader has an opportunity to accept Christ, enroll in the Truth Chasers Club discipleship program, and enroll his or her children as well.
Everyone enjoys getting mail-especially children and inmates. The Truth Chasers Club offers age appropriate lessons for all, children through adults. There is no charge for the lessons.
Each adult who enrolls will receive a series of Bible lessons. When he completes a series he will receive a certificate.
Children receive the Truth Chasers lesson series. These lessons deal with the tough situations and special needs of children who have an incarcerated family member.
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The child will receive a large two-sided poster with fun art a few days after enrollment.
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About a week after receiving their poster, they receive the first lesson with activities that will help them learn positive ways to deal with the emotions they face.
The stories are action-packed page-turners and move the child from the fictional characters into applying biblical truths to their own lives. Children will get to know timeless, true Bible characters and learn how God can help them deal with emotions like shame, anger and fear. We've included lots of activities to keep the kids involved and improve retention. And six lessons are postage paid for all children. They may request a free Bible when they return the second, fourth or sixth lesson. They will also receive certificates and a reward.
The back page of What Went Wrong? offers inmates an opportunity to enroll themselves and their children in the Truth Chasers Club. The self-addressed enrollment form may be torn off, folded and mailed by the inmate. Postage is paid by CEF.
The inmates may also bring their completed enrollment forms to the chaplain who can mail them to the Truth Chasers Club.
Benefits of the What Went Wrong Program
1. Enhances institutional adjustment by way of increasing inmate's self-esteem through providing something good for his/her children.
2. Provides pro-social activities for the children such as after-school clubs (Good News Club ) and summer camps.
3. Helps inmates better prepare for re-entry by building positive family relationships.
4. Positively affects lives of inmates' children through Bible correspondence courses and Good News Clubs. Topics covered are anger, separation, fear, shame and gangs.
5. Targets the at-risk population of children, impacting the 70% of children who will end up in prison if there isn't any intervention.
Request a copy of the What Went Wrong? booklet here.
Or send the name of your facility/prison, complete address and a phone number to:
CEF/What Went Wrong?
P.O. Box 190
Warrenton, MO 63383
You may also fax your request to Prison Ministry at (636) 456-5149 or contact us by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
If you have any questions, please call CEF International Headquarters (800) 300-4033, and ask to speak to someone in Prison Ministry.
