Though most people can sympathize with those in prison, I also have empathy. When I was much younger, I got into racketeering and bank fraud. Being incarcerated for five and a half years in federal prison was rough, but it could have been much worse. I was lucky enough to get into a drug and alcohol program and got out early for good behavior. I did not like being in jail, but it did help to change my whole thought process.
Before I went to jail, I was a lukewarm Christian, but when you get knocked down and have your roughest moments, you find Jesus. I gave my life to Christ while I was in middle school, but I didn’t truly walk in the fullness of what God had for me until I went to jail.
Uncuffed was started in 2006 but was a very basic ministry back then. We were going to the county detention center. In 2008 I was a volunteer for Uncuffed, and I took over in 2015. We now have eleven facilities with over 70 volunteers. Most prison ministries just hand out a Bible and there’s not much more interaction afterwards. We go beyond that to form a relationship that continues after they get released. Our ministry asks important questions, and we let them know why we are there to help. We want to share their walk whether they are incarcerated for one day or for several years.
In Baltimore, you get free college if you graduate high school, so we encourage them to get an education and get a job to restore their dignity. We have them meet with pastors, judges, and other mentors. Some of the young people are in for serious crimes and it can be difficult for them to come out. We try to make them feel welcomed in an unwelcoming world. It’s important to have that unconditional Agape love for them.
2 Timothy 2:9 says, “For which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!”
I want to secure their eternity and salvation so they know God will never leave them or forsake them. We help juveniles, those under 18, and restore their hope. We have also expanded our definition of juvenile to include those 26 and under because not everyone matures at the same rate. We have a separate wing for those with addictions that has no age requirement. Our method is faith-based. We work with about 800 people yearly, and try to form a deeper bond with them throughout several visits. We help kids as young as 14 and are still in contact with them 10 years later.
Most recently, we helped to get a 15-year-old out of a gang, introduced him to Celebrate Recovery, and he has now accepted Jesus! We try to reach as many people as possible to share the love of Jesus with them. It is far better to be invited to their wedding than to their funeral.
One of my favorite bible verses is Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” My salvation is not on me but rests in Jesus. If you give your life to Jesus, it changes you.
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