JE: JE came home in 2004. Prior to that I had met him at the RCI. He wrote to me each week and asked me to be his mentor. JE had a concern while incarcerated. The Warden, who had done a search of his room, read a response letter to him from me. They did not like the advice that I had given him. I explained that I was his mentor and was not representing CSOSA with my remarks. His caseworker had given him misinformation and I simply gave him the correct answer. This had made his caseworker look incompetent. That was not the case. She simply did not understand the various methods of release. If one felt threatened going to a particular halfway, another halfway house could be requested. It was his right to make this request.
When JE came home, he moved in with his sister, who was very supportive. He quickly found employment. JE began attending Church with his sister. He gave his life to Christ and was baptized. He attends worship service, as well as the Bible study group. He is excited about the Lord and is on fire for Jesus. He has repeatedly said that no matter what happens, he is going to stay with his Lord and Savior.
TC: TC came home in 2004. He began writing to me in November 2003. He stated that because of his long time drug addiction (over 30 years), he had burned all bridges in terms of his friends and family. While incarcerated, he read his Bible and did Bible Study. Often we discussed what a particular passage meant to him and how he could apply it to his life. We had many stimulating conversations and letters. One problem that TC had was his estrangement with his family. His cousin and he had shared a home left by their grandmother. The cousin refused to allow him to return home. Consequently TC was homeless and had to go to the Halfway house.
Until he found employment, TC would often come to my office and work with me. He stated that he was going to ‘stay in my hip pocket.’ The death of his cousin allowed TC to return home. He also found employment with his previous employer.
This job consisted of finding daily employment for people in the food industry. By doing this, he was able to touch the lives and hearts of many men and women returning home from prison. This was a great opportunity to witness to them.
Although TC was strong in the Bible, he had to learn how to apply what he had learned. While in prison, the temptations of the street life did not affect him; therefore, he could spend a great of time with the Lord. When he came home, TC initially found that the things that worked for him at RCI now did not work for him.
I encouraged him to become my prayer partner. He attended worship services with me, but had found a Christian support group nearer his home.
As he became stronger in the Lord, TC felt it was time to make amends with his family. He began talking to his four adult children, and to his surprise, they still loved him and wanted him in their lives. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
His next challenge was greater. He began going to the church of his ex-wife and eventually they began the slow process of healing. At the time of this report, they have reconciled and are trying to start a new life together in Christ.
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. (1 Peter 3:1-2 NLT)
He next found employment as a case manager assisting other men and women returning home for prison. Unfortunately, TC felt that he no longer needed a mentor and became less available as his life took on more responsibilities. Although I have spoken with TC, the last time I saw him was the week prior to my termination. At that time he was drug free and still serving the Lord. I can not ask for more.
Conclusion
We looked at 5 reentrants who were mentored from July 2002 until Feb. 2005. They became the models for the Spiritual Discipling Program. This was incorporated into the Faith Initiative with the approval of the Program Director at CSOSA. We had originally asked for a budget so that we could use at least 10 mentors. However this was not done.
This program started with 10 unpaid mentors and 15 Reentrants. However, we only took this small sampling of five reentrants for this paper. We did this since we were unable to follow the Reentrants for a year, by reason of my untimely termination. The termination left the writer without access to the necessary CSOSA records and materials.
Although my mentored Reentrants and I have remained my friends, I have only written this paper within the confines of the Faith Based Program. Four of the reentrants are still in communication with me. I do plan to write a follow-up on their outcome.
I realize that the sample was small. Therefore, I am in the process of repeating this program through my Ministry, “Love Covers All.” I have spoken with two other ministries that do Reentry, Conquest Reentry Offender Integration and Mt Olives United Missionary Baptist Church, and will continue this program. And with Gods’ blessing, it will be with a larger and broader population.
You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you. Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. (Hebrews 10:34-36 NLT)
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Author Resource:-
SHARON BEST, BA, THM
PASTOR
Perfecting Christian Center, Clinton, MD
Pastor, 2006-present
Senior Minister, Bible Study Teacher, Biblical Counselor
EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING
D.Min, Masters Graduate School of Divinity, 2006, Evansville IN
MA in Theology, Masters Graduate School of Divinity, 2005, Evansville, IN
BA, United Christian Ministry Institute, 2003, Columbia City, IN
BA, Word to the World Bible College, 1995, Denver, CO
Computer Skills and Workplace Education Program, 1990, Certificate of Completion, Wider Opportunities for Women, Washington, DC
Mortuary Science Degree, University of District of Columbia, 1989, Washington, DC
Degree in Liberal Arts, 1979, Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth, Virginia
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
2006 Pastor, Perfecting Christian Center
2005-Present: The S.T.E.P.U.P. Foundation, Of Greater Washington, D.C.
2000-Present: Board Member, Conquest Offender Reintegration
1997-Present: Minister, Bible Study Teacher, and Worship Leader
1998-Present: Ministry Team Leader- Prison Fellowship in DC.
1995-1998: Teacher of Adult Education at the Washington Saturday College
1994-2001: Sunday school Teacher
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