Prison Fellowship is a non-profit Christian organization founded by Chuck Colson, a man whose personal story is one of amazing transformation ~

In 1974, Chuck Colson, a former top aide to President Nixon, voluntarily pled guilty to obstruction of justice on a Watergate-related charge and served seven months as a new Christian in Alabama’s Maxwell Prison.
 
I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea that God had put me in prison for a purpose and that I should do something for those I had left behind.
 
In his best-selling memoir, Born Again, Chuck wrote, “I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea that God had put me in prison for a purpose and that I should do something for those I had left behind.”
 
Colson emerged from prison with a new mission: mobilizing the Christian Church to minister to prisoners. He founded Prison Fellowship® in 1976, which has become the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform.

 
Here’s the story of one man whose life has been dramatically changed through the Prison Fellowship Academy, at the Carol S. Vance Unit in Texas ~
 

For Dennis, it’s the Academy staff and volunteers who have had the most impact. He doesn’t take them for granted. “They could be at home doing so many other things,” he says, but “they sacrifice their time and their effort just to come and to hang out with you, and to pour into you and to encourage you to do better and to be better.”
 

Not that long ago, Dennis was given a choice—he could be released soon, or he could stay at the Academy and be released later. He chose to stay.
 
While at Carol Vance, Dennis has had the chance to reconnect with his son and daughter. Had he pursued his release, he would have been too focused on himself to allow God to restore his family.
 
Had he gotten out, “There [are] so many things I would have missed. I would have missed a tremendous amount of blessings that I have received since I’ve been here.”
 
“I used to be a selfish person,” Dennis says. “A lot of times I was only concerned about myself and no one else. I didn’t care about anyone else. But through Prison Fellowship I have learned to be considerate of others.”
 
God has worked in Dennis’ heart and called him to reach out to others, especially younger men and women. He hopes his life can be a testimony to others—an example that inspires the next generation.
 
“If you’re traveling a road of being in trouble, then let my life be an example to you [of] where it goes,” he says. “You don’t have to take that road.”

 
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Related:

Fallen from Pride… Landing in Grace ~ A post I wrote shortly before Colson passed away in 2012.