Prayer & pastoral support
Personal prayer and spiritual care. I respond myself, usually within 1–2 business days.
How I can help
You do not need the right words. Share what you can — I will pray by name, listen, and walk with you. I cannot always deliver messages inside a unit, but I can seek contact when it is appropriate.
Grief & loss
Age-banded handouts for children and teens — home, church, or hard seasons.
Grief handouts →When a parent goes to prison
Honest, age-appropriate guides for talking with kids and teens.
Incarceration handouts →Reflections
Blog posts on fatherhood, faith, and showing up.
Read reflections →Free handouts families use most
Printable tonight — no sign-up, no cost.
You are not forgotten
What families are saying
Permissioned quotes from families on the outside — with photos of chaplain presence inside units and in the home.
Shared with permission — first-name quotes with written consent. Details may be generalized; facility and employer cards are never institutional endorsements.
Family
Susan
“Kris has been walking with my son for about a year, and I have seen that he wants more of Jesus. The change is real — he is walking with God daily.”
Family
Marta
“Kris has been helping my son by talking with him once a month and guiding him on what steps to take in the real world.”
Inside the unit, and with you on the outside
What happens behind the walls matters to families waiting at home — pastoral visits remind people they are not alone, wherever they are.
You are not forgotten. More in the family support guide and on the blog.
Questions families ask
More in the family support guide.
Can family members request prayer for someone who is incarcerated?
Yes. Families are welcome to reach out through the contact form, email, or iMessage. While I cannot always deliver messages directly, I can pray specifically and, when appropriate, seek to make contact with your loved one inside the facility.
Is there a cost for families to receive support?
There is no cost for families to receive prayer, pastoral support, or free handouts. Family ministry is supported through donors and partners who believe this work matters.
Is this counseling or therapy?
I provide spiritual and pastoral care grounded in Scripture — not licensed clinical counseling or therapy. When someone needs professional mental health support, I help connect them to appropriate resources.
Can I iMessage Chaplain Kris?
Yes. On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can iMessage chaplain@kriscruz.com directly — the same address as email. You can also call or text 214-735-9356.
Which facilities do you serve in Texas?
I primarily serve TJJD juvenile facilities and TDCJ adult units in the DFW and Gainesville areas, including Gainesville State Juvenile and the Boyd Unit in Teague. Learn more about facility chaplaincy →
“I was in prison and you came to visit me.”Matthew 25:36 (NIV)
Next step for families
Not an emergency? Send a short note for prayer and pastoral support. Need to reach someone sooner? Call or text. Free for families.