How One Ex-Felon changed Christmas forever
You may know that Angel Tree® brings gifts and the Gospel to the children of incarcerated men and women. But did you know that this transformational program began with one woman who was once on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List? Mary Kay Beard’s criminal career began when she met a man on a blind date. She fell for his good looks and charm. The couple married just nine days later. Six months into their marriage, her new husband revealed his past: he was one of the most skillful safecrackers in the country. And Mary Kay blindly followed him right into a life of crime.
Mary Kay earned herself a spot on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List by the age of 27. She was wanted in four different states. When the FBI arrested her, she stood trial and was sentenced to 21 years and 1 day for armed robbery and grand larceny.
“I thought my life was over,” Mary Kay said. “God was about to step in.”
God opens Mary Kay’s eyes to the desperate needs of prisoners’ children
Alone in her cell and desperate for hope, Mary Kay kneeled on the concrete floor and surrendered her life to Christ.
And God began to open Mary Kay’s eyes to the needs around her . . .
Mary Kay witnessed the struggle that incarcerated parents faced. She saw her fellow inmates saving up whatever little items they could — soap, socks, toothbrushes — to give to their lonely children for Christmas.
That moment, God placed a mission on Mary Kay’s heart. A mission that would reconcile families and turn lost hearts to Jesus.
From serving hundreds to serving millions with God’s love
Mary Kay started Angel Tree when she was released from prison in 1982. She would help incarcerated parents show their love to their children at Christmas by giving their children a gift and the Gospel message!
Angel Tree served 556 children in Alabama in its first year. Now, nearly three decades later, more than nine million children across America have received a gift from their incarcerated parent and the Good News of Jesus Christ.
But millions more children have not yet been touched by Angel Tree. That’s why we need to give as many prisoners as possible the opportunity to sign up their children for a gift and the Gospel!
From soap and socks to scooters and salvation, prisoners’ children across the country are experiencing a life-changing Christmas. Your gift today can help the littlest ones experience true hope and joy found in the greatest gift of all — Jesus Christ!
About Angel Tree Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ. This unique program gives your church an opportunity to share Christ’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners.
Angel Tree Christmas works by connecting parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts. Every Christmas, thousands of churches like yours help brighten the lives of countless children by purchasing, wrapping and delivering gifts on behalf of their incarcerated parent—not only delivering a message of love from parent to child, but also the true meaning of Christmas—the good news of Jesus Christ.
But Angel Tree doesn’t end with Christmas. For you and your church, that first Christmas connection can be the beginning of a rewarding ongoing relationship with these children and their families. Continue your Angel Tree ministry throughout the year and God will use your church to help these children and their families grow in their faith, strengthen their relationships with imprisoned parents, and fulfill the purposes that God has for their lives.
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