Our History

It was just over 26 years ago when Richard Bland, the founder of UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, received one of the greatest challenges of his life while serving on the Advisory Board for the President of the United States. A fellow board member who became acquainted with Bland and his convictions of the Bible challenged him one day during an impromptu Bible study: “If you really believe that Bible why don’t you spend all your time telling everybody?” These words penetrated Bland’s mind and the Holy Spirit compelled him to accept the challenge.

So in 1980, Richard Bland left his successful real estate and banking career in California and moved his wife, Carolyn and family to Birmingham, Alabama to open up a chain of vegetarian restaurants. But while they were waiting for direction from the Lord, Bland and his wife accepted an invitation to join a local prison ministries group. On their very first visit to the local prison, Richard Bland was asked to speak to the inmates because the original speaker was not able to make it. On that first visit the Holy Spirit convicted Bland that these inmates were hungering and thirsting for Bible truth. After giving an inspiring message, Bland left that night with an experience and excitement that would greatly impact his life and the lives of thousands of people. After that first visit, the Holy Spirit impressed Bland to send 200 copies of Desire of Ages and steps to Christ to the prison chaplain for the inmates. The prison chaplain was so greatly impressed by these books that he requested Bland send him one thousand more copies! This excited Bland even more. He knew that God was leading him and gave him the urgent desire to minister to souls in prison for the rest of his life. With the support of his wife and family, Mr. and Mrs. Bland, along with others began to have weekly Bible studies with the inmates. Within weeks they were giving weekly Bible studies to close to 200 inmates. 

Six weeks after they began Bible studies in the prison, God impressed Bland to start an intensive Bible instructor training course for a small group of inmates. God greatly blessed this program and the Bible study course. The prison officials and wardens began to see impressive changes in the conduct and lives of the inmates who were involved in these Bible studies and training course.  The prison officials and wardens began to see impressive changes in the conduct and lives of the inmates who were involved in these Bible studies and training courses.  This excited Bland an gave him the desire to do more. 

With the urgency and fervency to do more, Bland organized a small group of volunteers from several area churches in central Alabama and began UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES. “It is our mission to provide prisoners with an opportunity to receive the Gospel message by providing spiritual material to them. The prisoners can use the time they have been given to learn about Christ. The choice is theirs. By providing them with spiritual food, the Holy Spirit will be able to convince many hearts,” stated Bland. In just over a year UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES grew from one to nine prisons per week with one hundred and ten volunteers. In 1984, UPM began sending Bible lesson and life changing spiritual material to prisoners and their families in other states. In 1989, after visiting Norway and sharing thousands of spiritual materials in prisons in other countries 

UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES became UNITED PRISON MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL (UPMI).

Masai Tribe South Africa

UPMI is currently incorporating the latest computer technologies, Media Center as tools to be used for training and dispersing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We praise the Lord for all that He has done and will continue to do...