January of 2026 has been a busy month for Fathers on the Move (FOTM), a reentry program to help incarcerated men break the cycle of recidivism. FOTM had three graduations scheduled in as many prisons and correctional facilities. Graduating classes consist of incarcerated individuals who have completed either Level 1, or Level 2 of the program, where they work on the issues which drove them to incarceration, and then develop into mentors who help more men do the same.
The first graduation of this year took place on Wednesday, January 21st at Orange County Correctional Center in Hillsborough, North Carolina. 10 men, some of which had been released days before the graduation ceremony, were recognized for their growth and development. The ceremony included a time for each of the men to share about their experience with the program, how they have grown and what their goals are. Some showed off their talents with speeches, poetry, music, and more.
For some, their goals include being reunited with their families and being the father they need to be. Other graduates won’t be leaving the correctional center in the near future, but they committed themselves to making the biggest impact they can while they are still incarcerated, mentoring other men and helping them reach their full potential.
The men in Orange County were themselves evidence to the fact. Twice as many men showed up to the ceremony to support and congratulate the graduates. Most of these 20 additional men expressed a desire to get into the next cohort of the FOTM program, eager to learn and engage with the program’s pathway to health and to grow deeper in their faith, a vital part of most of the graduates’ testimony.
One recently released graduate, Nick, shared that FOTM provided direction when he had none. “I know the guys that were in our program started reaching out to their families. It gave them a sense of direction, like a light in the darkness,” Nick said.
Nick, a recent graduate of FOTM
At time of writing, FOTM is about to have their second graduation on Friday, January 22nd, just up the road in Butner Federal prison. In preparation, FOTM leadership held a Zoom meeting to continue the training on better communication practices. Much of this discussion focused on tact, Deacon Anthony Moore highlighted the quote which says that “Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.” And the men talked about how they can continue to employ tact in their day to day lives to speak truth in love.
They’ve been praying all week that the winter storm, which looks ready to slam most of the US, will hold off long enough that Butner Federal won’t shut down. North Carolina is pretty touchy when it comes to snowfall, as their roads and their powerlines aren’t equipped or designed to handle snow and ice that lasts very long.
Right now, all signs suggest the snow should hold off, but already the third graduation which was set for Saturday, January 24th in Oklahoma, has been postponed. It's a blow to the guys who worked hard and were looking forward to being recognized.
In this brief blog, we’re asking for prayer support for FOTM, both for this string of graduations, and for the future of the program. There are big things ahead for FOTM, whose leadership is in talks with multiple new prisons to deploy even more mentors and facilitators. Likewise, Pastor Victor Glover, founder of FOTM and director of the Southeast Region, will be speaking with the United States Congress in D.C. very soon to explain what FOTM is, and how the program brings tangible and scalable solutions to many of the problems facing the U.S. prison system.
This blog is just a glimpse behind the scenes of what’s happening in places like Orange County Correctional. In truth, the story runs much deeper, with churches being launched inside prisons, formerly incarcerated men starting their own ministries, and even the possibility of a new program focused on women’s prisons, but we won’t let the cart get ahead of that horse.
We have plenty more stories to tell about FOTM, so keep an eye on this space, and keep the leadership in prayer as God opens new doors and makes the way straight.
The Churches of God, General Conference has partnered with FOTM to help tell their story, and support their ministry. If you value you seeing men break free from their chains, and find the love of Jesus Christ, you can support FOTM financially right on their website here: FathersOnTheMove.org
CGGC eNews—Vol. 20, No. 4
Login To Leave Comment