Sharing the success of the 自慰视频 Prison Initiative
自慰视频 Prison Intitiative alumnus Ryan Chitwood chats with local pastors at a Prison Initiative luncheon. (Photos by Kierston Smith)
Local pastors listen to testimonies over lunch
By Bob Holmes
When was a student in the , he ministered daily to fellow inmates who struggled with mental health issues and addictions. Now, since his release from prison, he is becoming better prepared to continue in that ministry as a student on 自慰视频鈥檚 main campus studying for a .听 听
Chitwood told nearly two dozen pastors and prison ministry workers at a 自慰视频 Prison Initiative luncheon that the counseling path is a 鈥渃alling鈥 that was fostered through his experience in the program.
鈥淚t began with those first steps of where Christ was leading me, and I don鈥檛 think I could be here today if it weren鈥檛 for this program,鈥 Chitwood said. 鈥淭he path that I got on began with the 自慰视频 Prison Initiative.鈥
The 自慰视频 Prison Initiative, which held its first classes in 2007, equips qualified inmates through an accredited degree, to reach fellow inmates with the message of Christ. After graduation, alumni of the 自慰视频 Prison Initiative are assigned as chaplain鈥檚 assistants at correctional facilities around the state. A total of 169 inmates have graduated from the program.
But like Chitwood, 36 of the Prison Initiative graduates have served their time, and continue to make their impact outside prison walls. 听
Among them are Jerry Chambers, who served over 20 years of his prison term before being released. He is now married and a father of two, employed in 自慰视频鈥檚 Physical Plant, and volunteers with the Prison Initiative. 听
鈥淭he Prison Initiative is dear to my heart,鈥 Chambers said. 鈥淭his program is great, and continues to be a blessing to me. I continue to serve in this program because it has given so much to me, and so I want to give back.鈥
Prison Initiative Director, , noted that Prison Initiative students visit every male inmate as each enters the South Carolina prison system, amounting to about 30,000 visits annually.
鈥淵ou can imagine this is a crisis moment for these inmates coming in for the first time, so they are open for hope and truth,鈥 Melvin said. 鈥淥ur students have the opportunity (to meet them) between two and six hours each week. They are able to pray with them, listen to them, and sometimes they are given the opportunity to preach to the whole dorm.鈥
Melvin says that with the United States having the highest rate of incarceration in the world, 鈥淲e have a great problem.鈥
鈥淭hat also means we have a great opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed,鈥 he concluded. 鈥淥ur goal is to reach this mission field. We鈥檙e trying to fulfill The Great Commission, and we鈥檙e focused on the prison.鈥澨
Find out more about the and how you can support it.
听With听,听听ranks Columbia International University the听,听and 自慰视频 is #2 in the state for听Best College Campus.听自慰视频 also consistently ranks听among the Top Regional Universities in the South and a Best Value听Regional University in the South by U.S. News & World Report.听听on enrollment at CIU and听听or call听(800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.听
听