About Us

Upstate Jail Ministries is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that ministers in the Washington and Warren County jails of upstate New York.

After resigning a seven year youth pastor position, founder Peter Bailey responded to God's calling by volunteering in the Washington County jail, leading weekly Bible studies and Sunday worship services. Upstate Jail Ministries was incorporated the following year, adding services to Warren County jail.

UJM consists of over 30 Christian volunteers from a variety of professions and denominations. We have a variety of ministries including in-jail, aftercare, and correspondence teams. We also have prayer teams, donor partnerships, and participate in Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree.

Here are a few news articles about Peter Bailey and Upstate Jail Ministries:

More Than a Teacher. Wheaton Magazine, August 2008 (p. 3).

The Straight and Narrow Path. The Post-Star, April 2008.

About Our logo

The "anchor-cross" has been a symbol of the Christian faith for centuries, especially during times of persecution. Not unlike the Jesus fish or "icthus", this disguised or dissimilar cross ("crux dissimulata") bears a hidden symbolism. For the casual observer, it looks like an anchor. But for the Christian, it is the symbol of our faith, the cross. Likewise, when we visit inmates in jail, we don't see them as the world does. In Matthew 25:31-45, Jesus gives a surprising account of his return, shocking both groups of people (the sheep and the goats) by telling them that "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." When we see inmates in jail, we see Jesus in jail.

Statement Of Faith

We believe in one God, Creator and Lord of the Universe, the co-eternal Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that Jesus Christ, God's Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, rose bodily from the dead and ascended to heaven where He is the only mediator between God and man.

We believe that the Bible is God's authoritative and inspired Word. Christians must submit to its divine authority, both individually and corporately, in all matters of belief and conduct, which is demonstrated by true righteous living.

We believe that all people are lost sinners and cannot see the Kingdom of God except through new birth that Christ offers. Justification is by grace through faith in Christ alone.

We believe in one holy, universal, and apostolic Church. Its calling is to worship God and witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the Gospel among all nations and demonstrating its commitment by compassionate service to the needs of human beings and promoting righteousness and justice.

We believe in the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit for the individual's new birth and growth to maturity, and for the Church's constant renewal in truth, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power, and mission.

We believe that Jesus Christ will return in glory to bring salvation and judgment to completion. God will fully manifest His kingdom when Christ comes again, in which He will be glorified forever and exclude all evil, suffering, and death.