Leaving a Legacy: Remembering the work of Gershom Donner

Introduction by Andy Corley, CEO of Prison Fellowship International

One of our board members recently referred to our friend and brother Ian Elliott, former chairman of PFI, as being “of blessed memory”. I hadn’t heard this phrase before and it perfectly described how myself and many others feel about Ian.

Ian often used to say “the world is full of amazing people”. He, of course, meant his friends all over the world and PFI in particular.

Gershom Donner is one of the amazing people that Ian would have had in mind.

I didn’t know Gershom well, but I met him on several occasions and always felt privileged to do so. Attending his celebration funeral service a few weeks ago made me wish I had known him better. I wanted his story to be recorded in honour of him and of the thousands of others around the world who are part of PFI.

It was very clear that Prison Fellowship Colombia and PFI had been a big part of his life and as a global family we are grateful and all the better for it. The article below is part of Gershom’s story. We give thanks to the Lord Jesus for his life, alongside great sadness and mourning with his beautiful wife, Angelica, two daughters, Dieneke and Lauren, and overarching hope in our Lord.

At just 16, Gershom Donner began his volunteer journey with Prison Fellowship Colombia by visiting Bellavista Prison in Medellín. From that very first visit, he forged deep connections with countless prisoners, initiating conversations in a way that felt uniquely his own. Their talks ranged from the everyday details of life to the complexities of the country’s socio-political climate and the harsh realities of prison life. Yet, more often than not, their discussions revolved around football, especially Gershom’s unwavering support for Atlético Nacional. They explored everything from the Colombian league, to World Cup qualifiers, the Champions League, European leagues and the big Latin American leagues like Argentina’s and Brazil’s.

Through these meaningful conversations, Gershom didn’t just talk; he listened. He learned the personal stories of many prisoners, uncovering the paths that led them to crime, the risks they faced, and the legal battles they endured. Among those who formed a strong bond Gershom was Jorge Enrique Rivera and a man everyone called “Pocholo.”

Jorge Enrique Rivera was born in 1967 in Cali. He is a husband, a father to two daughters and a grandfather to five grandchildren. He served as a police officer during the chaotic 1980s and 1990s, a time when Pablo Escobar waged a brutal war against the Colombian state. Escobar’s methods were ruthless—bombings, assassinations of public officials, politicians, civilians and police officers, leaving a trail of tragedy in his wake.

Rivera was part of a group of police officers who, deeply affected by these attacks, took unauthorized action against hitmen targeting law enforcement. This led to an investigation, and Rivera found himself arrested and imprisoned at Bellavista. Initially sentenced to 37 years, his term was eventually reduced to 22, of which he served 10.

It was in mid-1997 when Gershom began his visits to Bellavista, joining leaders from Prison Fellowship Colombia twice a week. During these visits, he formed a strong bond with Jorge Rivera, who had become a respected leader among the Christian community in the prison. Their friendship deepened as they shared their personal stories, with Jorge opening up about the reasons behind his incarceration and his experiences in law enforcement.

One particular story that Jorge shared with Gershom featured a conflict with a notorious figure known as “Pocholo,” a leader of a criminal gang operating in various parts of Medellín. The police had clashed with Pocholo’s gang on multiple occasions, resulting in several armed violent confrontations.

A few months after Jorge’s imprisonment, Pocholo was also captured and brought to Bellavista. With this knowledge, Gershom decided to seek out Pocholo, eager to introduce himself and establish a connection. Their shared love for Atlético Nacional became the foundation for this newfound friendship.

Gershom excitedly informed Jorge that he had met Pocholo and was gradually earning his trust. Seeing an opportunity, Jorge asked Gershom to deliver a gesture to Pocholo—a soda, some money and a letter expressing regret for the turmoil Jorge had caused Pocholo’s gang during his time as a police officer.

When Gershom delivered these items to Pocholo, he accepted the soda, took the money and tore up the letter. Jorge attempted this approach two more times, but each time, Pocholo discarded the letter.

Undeterred, Jorge found out that Pocholo had a young daughter and sent her a gift along with clothes for Pocholo. He included money, soda and yet another letter. This time, something changed. Pocholo accepted the money, drank the soda, received the gift for his daughter, carefully read the letter and then told Gershom, “Tell Rivera that I forgive him.” But Pocholo didn’t stop there; he penned his own letter, extending forgiveness while acknowledging his own past mistakes.

Years later, Pocholo was transferred to a prison in the southern part of the country, eight hours away from Medellín. Gershom advocated for the President of Prison Fellowship Colombia to visit Pocholo, and together they made several trips, playing a vital role in his transformation. It was through Gershom that Pocholo encountered the Gospel, leading to his baptism in prison. He even got married while still incarcerated, with Gershom attending his wedding.

In mediating the conflict between Jorge Rivera and Pocholo, Gershom truly embodied the role of a peacemaker, living out the principle of Jesus’ teaching: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Today, Pocholo embraces the Christian faith and lives in another country. Meanwhile, Jorge Rivera pursued multiple university degrees in theology, psychology and law. He currently serves as a Coordinator for Prison Fellowship Colombia, overseeing a program focused on reconciliation and criminal mediation.

Gershom’s legacy lives on in the lives of those that he shared the peace and hope of the Gospel with.