If someone you love is incarcerated — or 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 Today it streams sermons, worship, devotionals, podcasts, and Bible studies from 100+ church and ministry partners — including The Chosen, Elevation Church, Life.Church, Transformation Church, and Fresh Life Church — free of charge, to incarcerated men and women nationwide.^3
Pando isn't just a streaming library. It includes a full Bible (KJV and ESV — the first digital Bible available inside prisons),^5 a journaling tool, a prayer request system that connects inmates with believers praying on the outside, and the ability to profess faith in Jesus right inside the app.^5 Available on iOS, iPad, Apple TV, and Android — both inside correctional facilities and out.^6
The numbers reflect the impact. God Behind Bars has reached more than 4.2 million inmates with the gospel, planted 87 satellite church campuses inside prisons, and now has Pando installed on 671,000+ inmate tablets with over 150 million total content views.^8 Partnerships with Crown Financial Ministries (launched January 2026) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons at FPC Alderson extend the reach further into financial literacy and federal facilities.^10
Why Inmates Love It"There's been nights where literally I couldn't fall asleep, I'd find one of these churches and just worship... it's Church away from church. When church services are not happening here I can be in my bunk and I can go to church."^9
"Pando is the best app in prison. There's no comparison. Thank you so much because you've given a lot of inspiration, a lot of hope, and just to know that someone actually cares and that we're not forgotten inside of these walls."^9
Notable- The first and only Christian app allowed on U.S. prison tablets, launched 2021 by God Behind Bars (Henderson, NV)^2
- 4.2 million+ inmates reached; 87 satellite church campuses planted inside prisons; 671,000+ inmate tablets active^8
- Over 150 million total content views across the Pando platform^9
- Free streaming library of sermons, worship, devotionals, podcasts, and Bible studies from 100+ church partners^3
- Includes the first digital Bible available inside U.S. prisons (KJV + ESV), journaling, and an in-app prayer network^5
- Available on iOS, iPad, Apple TV, and Android, free inside and outside prison^6
- Crown Financial Ministries partnership (January 2026) brings financial literacy content to inmates^10
- God Behind Bars Music released "Set Me Free" featuring Ryan Ellis in 2026, songs written with and for the incarcerated^8
- Coverage by Newsweek, K-LOVE, and the Assemblies of God; God Behind Bars hosts regular family restoration events inside prisons, including the Daddy-Daughter Dance and the first-ever Father-Son Reunification Day at Angola Prison (June 2026), where 46 fathers spent six hours fishing, playing football, and sharing faith with their 62 sons^12^14
- Founder and CEO Jake Bodine started God Behind Bars in 2009; the ministry now operates across federal and state prisons nationwide^15
