Prayer & pastoral support
Personal prayer and spiritual care for families navigating incarceration, separation, and hardship. You can share as much or as little as you are comfortable with — I respond personally, usually within 1–2 business days.
How I can help your family
You do not need the right words or a complete story to reach out. Share what you are comfortable sharing — I will pray specifically, listen without judgment, and walk with you as long as you need.
While I cannot always deliver messages directly to someone inside a facility, I can pray by name and, when appropriate, seek to make contact with your loved one.
Grief & loss
Age-banded handouts for helping children and teens process grief — at home, at church, or in hard seasons.
Grief handouts →When a parent goes to prison
Printable guides for families navigating incarceration with children — honest, hopeful, and age-appropriate.
Incarceration handouts →Reflections for families
Blog posts on fatherhood, faith, and showing up — from a chaplain who serves families and facilities across North Texas.
Read reflections →Free handouts families use most
Printable guides you can read 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 used with written consent. Representative feedback — summarizes real chaplaincy experiences; names and details changed for confidentiality. 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.
Families on the outside carry a different weight — but the same promise holds: you are not forgotten. Read more in how family support works, You Are Not Weak, or Honoring the Fathers Who Show Up.
Questions families ask
Quick answers — with more detail 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
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.