PFC-University Course Descriptions
PFC-University is offered twice each year, in the Spring and in the Fall, at Cedar Park Christian High School in Bothell, WA. Registration begins approximately one month prior to the session.
**Note: Specific classes for each session will be determined closer to the date. Not all classes listed here will be offered.
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PFC 100: Basic Adult Training
Prerequisite: None [3 hours] Introduction to Jail and Prison Ministry – For new or potential volunteers interested in serving adult inmates – describes the PFC vision, mission and strategy; the Biblical basis for prison ministry, inmate statistics, overview of the Washington State Corrections System, and how to best partner with the institutions for maximum effectiveness. (Required for all adult ministry volunteers in conjunction with PFC 150: Code of Conduct.)
PFC 110: Basic Juvenile Training
Prerequisite: None [6 hours] For new or potential volunteers – describes the PFC vision, mission and strategy, an overview of the juvenile justice system in Washington and the PFC Volunteer Code of Conduct. Course also covers the basics in understanding the juvenile mindset, effective communication with youth and evangelism techniques. (Required for all juvenile ministry volunteers.)
PFC 120: Effective Music & Drama Ministry
Prerequisite: None [3 hours] This course will provide an introduction and overview of the PFC Creative Arts Ministry and equip volunteers to serve the Lord behind bars through music and/or drama. The Code of Conduct will be covered and the course typically includes a Q&A panel discussion with seasoned volunteers who share their experience regarding what practices work best in the juvenile and adult institutions.
PFC 130: Bible Study Graders Training
Prerequisite: None [3 hours] Describes the PFC National Bible Study Correspondence School; an expanding curriculum with over 80 individual Bible studies. The course covers the goals of the program, how to grade the studies, how to write encouraging comments, how to deal with inmate requests, difficult issues and situations. (Required for all Bible Study Correspondence School volunteers.)
PFC 140: Becoming a Pen Pal
Prerequisite: None [1 hour] PFC receives requests for Pen Pals on a weekly basis. Join us to learn how easy it really is to be a Pen Pal and how much of a blessing you can be to an inmate. Learn the “do’s and don’ts” of the process such that your personal identity is protected. Overcome any uneasiness you may have about writing to an inmate.
PFC 150: Code of Conduct
Prerequisite: None [1 hour] The Code of Conduct is the cornerstone of any prison ministry training program. It is vitally important to have all volunteers understand it, put it into practice, and be able to teach it to other new volunteers. There are six fundamental lessons in this training: learning the importance of clearance procedures, understanding the many issues surrounding contraband, knowing your relationship to the prison staff and to the inmate, and understanding your role as a volunteer. This class will be held over the one hour lunch break, so please bring your brown bag lunch or pre-order a box lunch.
Because this class is required for all PFC volunteers PRIOR to beginning their ministry with us, and because PFC-University is only offered twice each year, the Code of Conduct course is also available online. There is a brief quiz at the end that will be emailed to our Volunteer Coordinator upon completion so your volunteer training records can be updated.
PFC 200: Group Leader Training
Prerequisite: PFC 100/PFC 110 and PFC 150 [3 hours] This teaming and leadership course will define the “franchise” concept of team ministry. It covers the roles and responsibilities of the Group Leader, the PFC office, elements of the PFC service and fundamentals of leadership. (Required for all Group Leader candidates.)
PFC 206: Understanding Inmate Manipulation
Prerequisite: None [1 hour] This 60-minute workshop will give you a basic understanding of inmate manipulation so you can spot the early warning signs. Volunteers will learn practical solutions for recognizing and avoiding inmate manipulation as well as how to handle disruptive individuals. This class will be held over the one hour lunch break, so please bring your brown bag lunch or pre-order a box lunch.
PFC 220: Speakers Workshop
Prerequisite: Permission of the Executive Director [3 hours] This course will equip the prison ministry volunteer to become a link to the Christian community using nine methods to effectively communicate to the local church body. Learn the ropes of public speaking and how to tame the public speaking butterflies. This class will be held over the one hour lunch break, so please bring your brown bag lunch or pre-order a box lunch.
PFC 250: Conducting an Altar Call
Prerequisite: None [1 hour] PFC is an evangelical jail and prison ministry. Virtually all of our services include a presentation of the gospel and conclude with an altar call. This workshop is intended to provide the volunteer with our best current practices for effective altar calls. All PFC preachers are encouraged to attend this workshop. Because this is an area that has been identified as a weakness in the ministry, this presentation will seek to minimize the variation we’ve observed and establish a more standardized process. This class will be held over the one hour lunch break, so please bring your brown bag lunch or pre-order a box lunch.
PFC 260: Short Term International Prison Missions Trips
Prerequisite: None [1 hour] This workshop is intended to provide an understanding of what it is like to take a short term mission trip, specifically targeting prisons of third world countries. Participants will learn the 5 Ministry Objectives, how to raise support, targeted regions of the world, and much more. This class will be held over the one hour lunch break, so please bring your brown bag lunch or pre-order a box lunch.
PFC 300: Understanding Different Doctrines
Prerequisite: None [3 hours] Concisely explains 13 major Christian doctrines with a survey of how seven other religions view them. Includes ready-made, miniaturized, quick-reference handouts that can be affixed in the back of your Bible. Guaranteed to increase your faith and improve your witnessing. (Recommended for all Group Leaders, preachers and teachers.)
PFC 310: Preaching and Teaching
Prerequisite: None [3 hours] Explains how to recognize the gift of teaching and preaching as well as how to prepare, organize, develop, write and deliver an effective sermon or Bible study. Includes in-class exercises on writing, preparing, and delivering messages. (Recommended for all current and potential preachers and teachers.)
PFC 320: Understanding Addictions
Prerequisite: None [3 hours] This course offers a basic understanding of addictions. The student will be able to recognize addictive tendencies, understand the causes of addictions, understand appropriate and inappropriate behavior when dealing with the addict and gain a framework for overcoming addictions. (Recommended for anyone who interacts with current or former addicts.)
PFC 370: Spiritual Warfare
Prerequisite: None [3 hours] This course focuses on the very real issue of spiritual warfare as applied inside the jails and prisons. Scripturally-based teaching equips the volunteer to understand the enemy and how to discern spiritual attacks. Learn how to use God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome and be victorious in any situation.
PFC 380: PREA Training
Prerequisite: None [1 Hour] The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) mandates that correctional employees and volunteers are required in some DOC institutions to have formal training. This lunch and learn course will provide this training, approved by the DOC Chaplaincy, and DOC forms will be signed and sent to the DOC by Prisoners For Christ. Presently WCC Shelton requires this training.
PFC 400: Aftercare Ministry
Prerequisite: None [1 hour] Come learn about Standing Stones Ministries. This 40-acre orchard in the Yakima area is home to former offenders learning practical and spiritual skills as they recover from life-controlling addictions. Includes multi-media presentations, & personal testimonies. A review of the curriculum will be of interest to PFC volunteers, corrections Chaplains, and parents/family members of potential residents.
PFC 420: Assimilating Sex Offenders into the Local Church
Prerequisite: Permission of the Executive Director [3 hours] This new program was designed for the local pastor, elder board member, and church leader. Learn about the three levels of sex offenders and the 5 step process to assimilating a sex offender successfully into your church body. Learn the difference between proper and improper monitoring and accountability methods. Co-authored by a pastor qualified in this very sensitive area of ministry.
PFC 500: Becoming a Full-Time Prison Missionary
Prerequisite: Permission of the Executive Director [3 hours] Learn how to transition from full-time secular work to full-time faith work. How to discern the call of God on your life, answering the tough questions, understanding 8 reasons why funding may not come in, and learn 4 road blocks to raising support. (Recommended for those seriously exploring the potential of full-time missionary work in the jails and prisons.)
