Our Mission
"To identify, equip, place, and support individuals called to be Chaplains of the incarcerated."
All Magic Valley Chaplains are required to sign a Statement of Faith and applicants go through a vigorous vetting process and background check outlined on our MVC website. All Chaplains are required to have the covering & written recommendation support of their Christian Home Church.
What We Do
Magic Valley Chaplains Inc, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides training and support for its members and Bibles and other study materials in English and Spanish for those incarcerated.
We provide regularly scheduled onsite and remote church services, as well as individual inmate visits. We support inmate aftercare programs and housing. We supply Bibles, Bible study courses, spiritual study materials, and related spiritual non-fiction books to inmates. These are used to stock Magic Valley jail libraries, as well as to fill individual requests for materials.
Where We Serve
Inmate Chaplains provide Bible-based ministry to inmates in Twin Falls County Jail, Jerome County jail, Twin Falls Juvenile Detention, IDOC Work Release facility in Twin Falls, Gooding County jail and the Mini Cassia Criminal Justice Center.
In Magic Valley Jail facilities alone, approximately 600 inmates have opportunities throughout each week to come share in worship and messages from God’s word of hope and love for them that can change their lives.
Our Service Dates
Twin Falls County Jail Men & Ladies
- Tuesday night
- Saturday and Sunday Mornings
Jerome County Jail
- Thursday & Sunday night (men)
- Sunday afternoon (ladies)
- Saturday Afternoon (Spanish)
Gooding County Jail Men & Ladies
- Tuesday Evening (English & Spanish)
Mini Cassia Criminal Justice Center
- Saturday and Sunday (1-on-1 Chaplain visits)
IDOC Reentry Center
- Wednesday Evening Men
Snake River Juvenile Detention Center
- Sunday afternoon
"As a volunteer jail chaplain, I witness the power of the Holy Spirit touching inmates with love and hope. God's light is the brightest in the darkest places. Many Inmates have ears to hear and the harvest is great in this ministry. God can pick who he wants to do his work. We are blessed to serve in this ministry to the incarcerated."
-from a current jail chaplain
Become a Member
Magic Valley Chaplain Application Process
Twin Falls County Detention, Jerome County Detention, Gooding County Detention, Twin Falls Juvenile Detention Center, Mini Cassia Criminal Justice Center and Twin Falls Idaho Department of Correction Reentry Center
Step 1 - New Applicant
Sign the statement of Faith, provide Pastor letter of recommendation and letter of Faith journey and desire to serve this inmate ministry. Complete the MVC Membership form.
Step 2 - MVC Board Member or Facility Leader
Email information to the Inmate Ministry Leadership team and request approval.
Step 3 - New Applicant
Complete the Facility volunteer application process and secure approval from the Facility. Each jail Facility has its own process. If the applicant wants to serve at multiple locations step 3 must be repeated at each Facility.
Step 4 - MVC Board Member or Facility Leader
You will meet with the New Chaplain to discuss training, scheduling, facility rules and protocols and support any other needs to help the new chaplain in this ministry. All facilities require PREA and you may be required to repeat the PREA training at each facility.
Step 5 - MVC Board
will provide Membership information, chaplain Materials, assist with compliance training and invoice for membership fees if applicable.
This process applies to applicants seeking MVC Membership. All other requests to serve should be directed to the facility.
Send MVC membership information or questions to [email protected].
Annual Dues
Optional Chaplain Membership Card $20
A photo membership card can be requested upon acceptance and expires on December 31st.
A new card will be issued each year to all members in good standing, request one.
MVC Membership
Membership is required for all MVC-approved Chaplain benefiting from the materials and programs offered by Magic Valley Chaplains Inc. a 501C3. The term of membership begins on the first day of the month following notification of acceptance for membership.
Term of Membership
The term of membership begins on the first day of the month following notification of acceptance for membership.
Membership expires annually on December 31st.
Message us for more info
Statement of Faith
Benefits of MVC 501C3 and Membership
- Members allow us to be a functioning 501c3 non-profit organization.
- Recruiting and training a new Christian chaplain is the heart of this ministry.
- Involves all local Christian Churches with a direct tie to the incarcerated in our area.
- Enables us to seek funding to purchase bibles and other literature for the inmates.
- Enables us to seek funding to support both the men’s and women’s aftercare homes and ministries.
- Enables us to support each other in the jail ministry as a group.
- Gives us a unified voice when it comes to jail issues and policies.
- Allows us to add programs that benefit the inmates.
- Enables us to support the management and staff of the jails we serve in.
- MVC membership provides for future growth in the Magic Valley of additional jail ministries wherever God calls us to serve.
Training
The MVC leadership will provide you with the required classes, training and procedures for jail ministry. You will begin your service in the jail with an experienced jail Chaplain that will teach you all the protocols.
Aftercare
Our ministry to inmates doesn’t stop once they are out of jail. We work with aftercare programs and housing facilities to help provide temporary housing, assistance, spiritual and responsibility training for recently-released inmates (who qualify for our services) to become productive members of society.
Odds are that 70% of incarcerated inmates become repeat offenders and end up back in the prison system. Magic Valley Chaplains works to improve these odds and show former inmates they can walk spiritually and successfully on the outside.