A special ceremony recently took place at Phillips State Prison in Buford, Georgia. Faculty from Truett McConnell University gathered with prison staff, family and friends to celebrate 24 offenders who received their bachelor’s degrees in Christian studies.
The graduates were part of a joint program between the Georgia Department of Corrections, TMU, and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, which provided the funding. The offenders, many of whom are serving life sentences, will become part of the prison system’s chaplaincy program. The hope is for these men, equipped and trained to minister to others with the Word of God, to serve as missionaries sharing the gospel throughout the system.
Ken Ellis, prison chaplain at Phillips State Prison and Statewide Chaplaincy Coordinator, said “The inmates working on this degree is a game changer and a second chance to do something great in their lives. My hope is that these men will share the knowledge, hope and love with other men who are down and about to give up. I hope that this educational experience changes the lives of future generations.”
Life-changing
The program’s impact on the graduates has been life-changing, and many of the inmates have expressed their eagerness to share that change with fellow offenders.
“I want to bring thousands of people to know, love, and submit to the truth of God, but I may be only able to affect a change in a few,” one graduate wrote, “However, those few, newfound believers, may then go to preach the gospel and remain faithful until the end.”
“I plan on… utilizing what the Lord has gifted me with for the advancement of His Kingdom,” wrote another.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Henry Durand and originally published by the Christian Index.
