God has provided Bro. Thomas Achari with a unique opportunity to work with and minister to thousands of prisoners and their families in Andhra Pradesh (Rajahmundry Central Jail, sub-jails). God has called him through the verse “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.” – Proverbs 24:11.  The ‘Ministry to the Prisoners’ was started in 1981.

Given the nature of the ministry, he has faced constant opposition, resistance, and threats, which became a part of his life. However, he continued in the very fruitful ministry, looking towards Christ who endured the cross, suffered, and bore insults for all of us. As Paul says in Colossians 1:24 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings… for the sake of His body, which is the church”.

Over the years, he has seen the repentance and transformation of many robbers, murderers, extremists, and those on death row. Those who made a commitment to follow Jesus, form a fellowship in jail premises. They say that it is “Not a prison cell anymore, but a salvation cell”. Many of those released from prison after the completion of their term, are trained in ministry, serve as pastors, and stand as witnesses to the grace and transformation they received from God, and as law-abiding citizens. The ministry team constantly visits the families of prisoners to minister to them (before and after their release). The team includes many released prisoners who share their testimonies.

“I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me… Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.” – Mathew 25:35-40