Purpose & Mission

To connect individuals in West Virginia jails and prisons with Bibles, Christian study materials and support, to develop Christ-centered relationships, both with themselves and others, as they study God’s Word to transform and improve their lives.

Prisoners can have misconceptions about Jesus, sin, salvation, and the truths of Scripture; therefore, the guiding verse of the ministry is John 8:32: “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Obedience to Isaiah 61:1: “… because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He had sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners …”

The Heart and Mission of
Our Founder and President

Gail Black Kopf is an accomplished writer who has been engaged in jail ministry for almost two decades. She believes the Bible brings encouragement and solutions to everyday issues and can provide answers for the many challenges prisoners encounter. With a firm reliance on the absolute authority of Scripture, she designed the Jailbird Ministry to provide Bibles and study material for incarcerated women and men. She currently resides in Charleston, West Virginia.

History ~ Timeline

9/10/2010 — The Holy Spirit calls us to start a ministry for prisoners

8/27/2011 — A South Charleston pastor introduces the concept to a local church and helps provide Bibles for inmates

10/2/2011 — The first prison service is held at South Central Regional Jail in Kanawha County, WV

3/11/2020 — The COVID-19 outbreak halts all visitation to West Virginia Correctional facilities and the ministry focus shifts to mailing Bibles and devotional materials to prisoners

9/30/2021 — The ministry is incorporated and becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

9/25/2023 — The Men’s and Women’s editions of Change Your Life Forever from Behind Bars is published and available to prisoners

10/26/2024 — Secured jailbirdministry.com domain

7/1/2025 — Launched ministry website