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.^4 In 2026, the app added closed captioning and PDF attachments for deeper study.^4 Content partners like Amazing Facts have seen millions of views of their resources on the platform, and newer partners like Free Chapel (114 salvations via Pando in 2025), Oceans Ministries, and Mercy Culture Church are expanding the library's reach.^5^7 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 reached 489,695 inmates with the gospel, planted 39 satellite church campuses inside prisons, and installed Pando on 310,303 inmate tablets.^1 In December 2025, the ministry organized the first-ever father-daughter dance inside Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola — a moment covered by Newsweek and K-LOVE that brought nearly 30 incarcerated fathers together with their daughters.^8 The ministry also released its first worship EP, "God Behind Bars Music," with songs inspired by and recorded with incarcerated worshippers.^1
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
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
- 489,695 inmates reached with the gospel; 310,303 inmate tablets with Pando installed; 39 satellite church campuses planted inside prisons^1
- Partners include Elevation Church, Life.Church, Transformation Church, Fresh Life Church, The Chosen, Amazing Facts, Free Chapel, Oceans Ministries, and Crown Financial Ministries^3^6
- First-ever father-daughter dance at Angola Prison (Louisiana State Penitentiary), December 2025, covered by Newsweek and K-LOVE^8
- God Behind Bars Music EP released — songs inspired by and recorded with incarcerated worshippers^1
- City First Church (AG) reported 5,921 decisions for Christ via Pando streams and 3.5 million message views through the app^10
- God Behind Bars YouTube channel has 438K subscribers and hosts the "God Behind Bars" podcast with Jake Bodine^11
- Free Chapel reported 114 salvations and 99,562 views from their Pando App content in 2025, and launched content in the Lee Arrandale Women's facility^7
