Second Chance Month (April) is a nationally recognized time to raise awareness and financial support to combat the issues of recidivism, and the pressure returning citizens face after they’ve served their prison sentences.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance states, “Second Chance Month aims to inform and highlight the many opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments and community-based service providers to build meaningful second chances for people returning from incarceration.”
As Christians, we believe God has gifted us, through the person of Jesus Christ the ultimate Second Chance. It’s an incalculable chance. “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Peter asks. And Jesus answers, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Meet Nick, a graduate from both level 1 and level 2 of Fathers on the Move. Nick is a recently returned citizen, working in the community and continuing to work with Fathers on the Move. We sat down to interview nick in late January after his release, and captured his conversion to Christianity, and how Fathers on the Move made a life changing impact on him.
Nick was incarcerated for 4 years, but spent the last 1.5 years in Orange County Correctional where he first met Pastor Victor Glover (Bishop) and Fathers on the Move. Of FOTM, Nick said that, “the best part of Orange Correctional is the volunteers, people like Bishop Glover, who come in and help us out. I’m glad I ended up there, out of everywhere I could be.”
Through our interview Nick talked about how he found Jesus suddenly and how multiple mentors came into his life to help reorient his thinking. “I always believed in God, but I never really gave my life to God until about 2 years ago. I kind of, fully surrendered.” Nick said. “I’ve always wanted to help people, but I still have my own demons. I grew up in a broken house hold. I was on my own by the time I was 14 or 15 years old.”
Nick had lost his sister a year before the interview, the only stable family he ever had, and who helped support him when he was young. Likewise, his biological father had just passed away recently too.
Of his conversion, Nick laid it out, “One day, something just clicked. I got on my knees and I asked God to take away all my iniquities, all my problems, fill this whole I got in my heart. I’ve always felt empty.” He described that the change was almost immediate. “Over the next three days, it was like magic.”
After a few months, Nick was hoping to be moved to a better institution, namely, Orange County. “I prayed to God to send me to Orange County Correctional so I could get in the culinary arts program.”
It was there that Nick started to find the hope that life after prison could be something more and better.
“About half way through my time at Orange is when Bishop came. He gave me and the other guys a sense of purpose and direction. He gave me something to look forward to when I was getting out.”
More than something to look forward too, Nick found a calling. In his struggles to stay connected with his own kids (he has 3), Nick found a deep desire to help other men reconnect with their families both in and out of prison.
“I want to work with fathers and get them back into their kids lives. You need to call your child, write them a letter. That means more than anything to them.”
Of his future plans, Nick is positive, and he feels his outlook is bright. “I look forward to working with Bishop out here in the street. It’s a good program. And I think it needs to be in more prisons, and in other towns… My main goal is to get in their with these young fathers, to reach out to the community with the dads who ain’t in their kids lives like they need to be.”
Nick is a great example of what a Second Chance can mean. From a life of hopelessness to a life that gives back and serves others, forgiveness and second chances allows us to restore our communities. Nick is becoming part of the solution to fatherlessness and recidivism in his community, thanks tot he work of Fathers on the Move.
Will you partner with us to help support his vital Kingdom ministry? During Second Chance Month, the CGGC is supporting Fathers on the Move through financial giving. You can support FOTM too by donating to our Jail Prison Ministries fund in the month of April. Fill out the donation form below or send a check with “MD 1325 – Jail Prison Ministries” in the memo line to 700 E. Melrose Ave, Findlay OH, 45839.
CGGC eNews—Vol. 20, No. 15
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