Pastors and churches have a crucial role to play when it comes to helping formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society. Jermaine Wilson, whose life was changed through the ministry of Prison Fellowship, said when he got out of prison as an adult, his pastor was key in helping him rebuild his life.
“When I got out of prison, employers didn’t want to hire me because I had a criminal record. And landlords didn’t want to rent to me because I had a criminal record,” Wilson told ChurchLeaders. “And when my pastor found out, he provided me and my family with a place to live and also gave me an opportunity to work at the church as a janitor, which covered my rent.”
“And he also gave me an opportunity to be able to serve within the ministry. And by him giving me that opportunity,” said Wilson, “it empowered me and helped me to realize that even though…I’ve been to prison, you know, he still sees me as a person and not a person incarcerated.”
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Wilson went on to become an ordained minister, found a nonprofit, and become city commissioner and then mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas. He now serves as Prison Fellowship’s mission ambassador. Wilson says the success he has had is “a message of hope and reminder to people that God’s Word is truth. With God, all things are possible. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I did not give my life to Christ.”
Prison Fellowship Partners With Churches To Serve Those in Need
Prison Fellowship, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, was founded in 1976 by Chuck Colson. Shortly after becoming a Christian, Colson served time for his role in the Watergate scandal.
“Our mission is to encounter Jesus with those impacted by incarceration,” Prison Fellowship President and CEO Heather Rice-Minus told ChurchLeaders. She explained that Prison Fellowship has a uniquely “holistic” approach to prison ministry in that it serves people who are in prison, the families of incarcerated people, and prison wardens, as well as tackling issues at the legislative level.
Churches are key partners in Prison Fellowship’s ministry, and Wilson encouraged pastors “to see people as people and not see people based upon their past mistakes or where they’ve been.”
Prison Fellowship's Jermaine Wilson says pastors have a crucial role to play in helping formerly incarcerated people rebuild their lives.Click to Post“God has given each one of us opportunity to serve, and we all have made mistakes,” he pointed out. “Just because we make mistakes, that does not define who we are. And also going back to the Bible, you know, God uses imperfect people to carry out his divine purpose.”
ChurchLeaders asked Wilson what advice he has for pastors who want to take the first step in helping formerly incarcerated people get back on their feet.
