FRANKLIN, Tenn. The General Commission on UM Men received a $25,000 to launch Disciple Bible study programs in male prisons within five states.

The grant from the World Service Contigency program will expand prison ministries now being conducted in North Carolina.

Announcement of the grant came during a Nov. 15-17 meeting of the Connectional Table at First UMC in Franklin.

The mission of the ministry is “Making disciples through Bible study to bring God's grace to a hurting world,” said Rev. Mark Hicks, executive director of North Carolina’s DISCIPLE Bible Outreach Ministries.

Hicks has been leading DISCIPLE program in correctional settings since 1999, and he says the studies are transformational for both volunteers and prison participants.

“I believe that Jesus’ list of places of service (Matthew 25:31-46) is all inclusive and ongoing," said Gil Hanke, top staff executive of the men's agency. That list of areas of ministry includes persons in prisons.