One of my favorite times of year is almost here: Second Chance Month! Prison Fellowship leads this nationwide effort every April to remove barriers for millions of Americans with a criminal record.
My friend Quovadis (“Q”) is one of those people. You may be familiar with his story. And if you met him today, you’d never guess that he once led a dangerous life. In high school, he was involved with a gang. Then at age 19, he faced up to 10 years in an Iowa prison for armed robbery. Q went to prison, leaving behind his then-girlfriend, Angela, and 2-year-old daughter, Kaylee. He had to make a decision: Just do the time or do something to change.
Soon, Q joined a Prison Fellowship program where he met caring Christian volunteers. In a healthy community, they encountered Jesus together and embraced biblical values. As Q rediscovered the faith of his childhood, he continued to become a better man and a better father.
God used His people to make an impact in Q’s life—and not only Q’s, but his daughter’s, too. The local church, in partnership with Prison Fellowship, embraced his family with the love of Jesus. After his release, Q began attending the same church that had ministered to his family during his incarceration.
Today, Q is a church planter and the pastor of Hope City Church, one of the fastest-growing congregations in Iowa. He serves on the Prison Fellowship Board of Directors—the first Prison Fellowship program graduate ever to do so. He and his family find joy in serving others together alongside their congregation and Prison Fellowship. Hear him share from his heart in this video!
The Lord is moving in hearts and minds behind bars, and when people come home, they should have an opportunity to live out their second chance. Since the first Second Chance Month in 2017, the movement has taken on a life of its own. Every U.S. president since then, along with a majority of state governors, has issued an official Second Chance Month proclamation year after year. Thousands of people have joined us through prayer, Second Chance Month-branded clothing and accessories, social media campaigns, and other events to raise awareness and advocate.
I want to invite your church to host a Second Chance celebration to share a message on second chances. You can join congregations like Concord Church in Dallas, Texas, which will host a special Second Chance Sunday service with a message by Pastor Bryan L. Carter on April 13. You can tune in live or watch the recording here.
Last year, more than 880 businesses, churches, and organizations joined us as Second Chance Month partners. And with resources, toolkits, and more, you can help us unlock more second chances for men and women in our communities who dream of a better tomorrow. Partner with us today!
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