If someone you love is incarcerated — or if you've ever wondered how the gospel reaches people behind bars — Pando is doing something no other app has done before.^1 Created in 2021 by God Behind Bars, Pando is the first and only faith-based app approved for installation on Department of Corrections inmate tablets across the United States.^2 It streams sermons, worship music, devotionals, podcasts, and Bible studies from over a hundred church partners — including Elevation Church, Life.Church, Transformation Church, and Fresh Life Church — directly into the hands of incarcerated men and women, completely free.^3
Pando isn't just a streaming library. It includes a full Bible (KJV and ESV), a journaling feature, a prayer request system that connects inmates with people praying on the outside, and the ability to profess faith in Jesus right within the app. In 2026, the app added closed captioning, PDF attachments for deeper study, and custom creator layouts for church partners.^4 Content partners like Amazing Facts have seen millions of views of their resources on the platform.^5 Crown Financial Ministries launched on Pando in January 2026 and saw 153,074 views, 10,476 new subscribers, and 61 recorded salvations in its first two months alone.^6 Verse by Verse Ministry International (VBVMI) reported nearly 700,000 Bible teaching videos watched by inmates in a single year.^7 The app is available for free on iOS and Android for anyone who wants to access the same content.
God Behind Bars, led by founder and CEO Jake Bodine, has now reached over 4.2 million inmates with the gospel, planted 87 satellite church campuses inside prisons, and installed Pando on 671,071 inmate tablets.^8 The ministry also hosts in-person events inside prisons — baptisms, worship nights, family reunification gatherings, and the first-ever father-daughter dance at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, covered by Newsweek and K-LOVE.^9 In 2025, the ministry released its first worship EP, "God Behind Bars Music," with songs inspired by and recorded with incarcerated worshippers.^8 Change Church (pastored by Dharius Daniels) is launching programming at FCI Atlanta in summer 2026, and Confused Church reported nearly 500,000 prisoners watching their sermons via Pando in 2025 with 800 salvations.^11
Why Christians Love It"I fell in love with what all the Pando app had to offer when I was incarcerated. I hope the Developers are able to figure out this issue that I may continue utilizing this tool that God has so blessed many with." — App Store reviewer^4
"THANK YOU for making this available for free to inmates in our county jail!! Several of the men in there have been blessed by the sermons, the music, and season 1 of The Chosen. Your app is such an AWESOME way to spread the love of Christ to those whom our society often deems as outcasts." — App Store reviewer^4
"I have watched all of y'all's shows on the Pando App. I'm in prison but I never felt free like I do now. I came to Christ because of y'all's shows." — Inmate testimony via Amazing Facts^5
"Pando was one of my saving grace..pun intended. I recently served an eleven year sentence and one of the first goals I set was to find Pando app on my phone and quickly download. Thanks for all the spiritual encouragement in and outside the walls." — Play Store reviewer^13
Notable- Founded in 2021 by Jake Bodine, CEO of God Behind Bars (est. 2009); the first faith-based app ever approved on U.S. prison tablets^2
- Over 4.2 million inmates reached with the gospel; 671,071 inmate tablets with Pando installed; 87 satellite church campuses planted inside prisons^8
- Partners include Elevation Church, Life.Church, Transformation Church, Fresh Life Church, The Chosen, Amazing Facts, Free Chapel, Crown Financial Ministries, VBVMI, Change Church, and Champion Church^3^6^11
- First-ever father-daughter dance at Angola Prison (Louisiana State Penitentiary), December 2025, covered by Newsweek and K-LOVE^9
- Crown Financial Ministries partnership launched January 2026: 153K+ views, 10K+ subscribers, 61 salvations in first two months^6
- God Behind Bars Music EP released — songs inspired by and recorded with incarcerated worshippers^8
- City First Church (AG) reported 5,921 decisions for Christ via Pando streams and 3.5 million message views through the app^14
- God Behind Bars YouTube channel has 440K subscribers and hosts the "God Behind Bars" podcast with Jake Bodine^15
- Confused Church reported ~500,000 prisoners watching and 800 salvations via Pando in 2025^12
