Letter from the CEO Archives - Prison Fellowship International

God, through the scriptures, encourages us to think on things that are noble, upright, noteworthy and true and to worship Him, as author and finisher of our faith, with His example of self giving love and grace as our motivation for service.

My role also allows me the privilege of hearing stories like the one I have shared below regularly. Each one is special, and is a reminder that it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. That I too have a responsibility to be an agent of reconciliation.

Please pray for the people of Lebanon at this time, for peace in the wider region and for Father Marwan and the amazing Prison Fellowship Lebanon team.

“If you had killed me in 2016, who would have visited you?”

The question hung heavy in the room, silencing the group of convicted terrorists. For Father Marwan, leading a session of Sycamore Tree Project, this was no rhetorical exercise. It was a pointed challenge to the men who, through their radical ideology, had taken innocent lives eight years prior. Father Marwan has spent years ministering to those in prison in Lebanon, encountering the darkest corners of humanity, but this was his first-ever course held with convicted terrorists.

It wasn’t easy for him to get to this access. Security is incredibly high in the unit where they are held, but he felt God calling him to reach these forgotten men. He began with small acts of kindness: delivering water filters, food baskets and medicine to the unit. Initially, everyone – even the prisoners – were confused – did Father Marwan not know who these men were? Did he not understand the atrocities they had committed in the name of their radical ideology? Of course he did. But he also knew God’s call to remember those in prison (Hebrews 13:3) and terrorists aren’t excluded from that mandate.

Despite being able to make deliveries, Father Marwan still couldn’t interact directly or meaningfully with the prisoners. However, his opportunity soon came in the form of a broken clothes dryer. The guards questioned why he cared about fixing it. After all, some of the men were set to be executed and none of them would likely ever step foot outside of prison again. But Father Marwan insisted. It was during the repair process that he was finally able to converse with the incarcerated men and find out more about them. To his surprise, the leader of the terrorist organization to which the men belonged expressed interest in wanting to rehabilitate and make amends with the communities their crimes had affected.

Father Marwan knew that Sycamore Tree Project fit the bill and quickly started coordinating with the prison officials to begin a course. Sycamore Tree Project is Prison Fellowship International’s restorative program that increases prisoner awareness of how crime harms victims, what is needed to make amends and how to be peacemakers in the future through eight weekly course sessions.

The first session began with the story of Zacchaeus, a man who was also despised by his community. “I know that there is still good in you,” Father Marwan told the group, “but no one wants to see it. No one wants to talk to you.” He drew parallels between Jesus dining with Zacchaeus, despite people urging that the tax collector was not worth His time, and his own efforts to engage with the men.

The second session saw the group participating more freely. In one discussion about the immorality of murder, the group initially disputed, justifying their actions as religiously motivated, how could they be immoral? Father Marwan took a different angle. “Do you believe that there are actions that please both God and other people?” “Of course,” the men agreed. They felt that getting their dryer fixed and Father Marwan’s visits were such actions. “If you had killed me in 2016, who would have visited you?” Silence enveloped the room as they contemplated the question that would become a turning point in their way of thinking.

As the course progressed, there was a change in the men’s rhetoric and hearts. They now recognized the harm they caused and expressed a desire to make amends with those they harmed, even though they knew that they would not enter society again.

But the story does not stop there. Time and time again, small circles of change create a ripple effect of transformation that grows throughout prisons and into communities. Father Marwan is already experiencing the next ring of this ripple.

Locked in solitary confinement are even more notorious Lebanese terrorists. Despite having little to no contact with others, they heard murmurs about the course happening in Unit B and have requested to attend Sycamore Tree Project themselves. Father Marwan is working to make it happen and already praying about the session where he will ask them the life-altering question, “If you had killed me, who would have visited you?”

The Importance of Community

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:25

God created humans with a desire for community. This innate instinct drives us to create families, make friends, worship together in churches and participate in communal events. The importance of community in spiritual growth and support are emphasized throughout the Bible as Hebrews 10:25 advises us not to forsake assembling together and Matthew 18:20 declares that God is among those who gather around Himself and in His name, underscoring the encouragement and power derived from fellowship. During the pandemic, we saw what a world stripped of in-person connection would look like. The negative effects of this isolation still linger in many ways throughout our society, and even in our organization.

Last month, for the first time since 2019, our regional staff was able to come together at our Washington Secretariat. There were some near misses – we weren’t sure if all of the visas were going to come through in time – but God provided what was needed. Throughout a busy week, our Global Impact team came together for meaningful discussion, strategic planning, working sessions, best-practice sharing and, of course, good food and lots of fun. On several occasions, the wider headquarters staff participated as well and everyone joined to glean from each other’s expertise and suggestions, and enjoy the time together in person. Having everyone together again, after such a long hiatus, underscored the importance of gatherings such as these. After all, “fellowship” is in the center of our name. This is renewing efforts to facilitate more regional connection through in-person forums in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa. Additionally, the Europe and Central Asia region is hosting a joint forum with the Middle East and North Africa region in March 2025, which is sure to be an insightful and engaging time.

As a global family, let’s seek opportunities for gathering and fellowship with those who work alongside us to serve the incarcerated, their families and crime victims. Pray together, seek God together, laugh together and help bear one another’s burdens – as we are instructed to do in Galatians 6:2. Paul, in his letters, frequently emphasizes the importance of building each other up, nurturing a sense of belonging and mutual edification. Ultimately, fellowship serves as a reflection of the unity within the body of Jesus Christ. Let us go forward as one community, unified in our mission to share the hope of the Good News of Jesus.

God Protect This House

“Protect this house” is a popular phrase for many elite sports teams and was designed as a slogan and campaign by Under Armour to encourage athletes to believe in themselves, take pride and push their limits. The phrase “this house” is a metaphor for everything an athlete and their teammates protect, including themselves, each other, their families, friends, reputation and where they come from.

I was discussing this with a friend some weeks ago who married later in life, now has a younger child and has just acquired their first home. We talked about the difference between a house and a home and how, in my opinion, God really cares about the home we create. I believe that in mysterious, but very real, ways He dwells with us in our homes as places of sanctuary and shalom.

Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.’- John 14:23 NIV

One day, as the book of Revelation tells us, the whole of the Earth will be a home for God, with us as His beloved people, as the new Jerusalem descends from heaven forever.

One day, this transformation will be complete. In the meantime, we have the privilege and responsibility of creating these “advance houses” now, but we also hold the ability to destroy them.

As Andrea and I were bringing up our children, and the inevitable squabbles and disagreements occurred, we would often ask the kids whether their actions were building or destroying family. This mindset applies in real ways to all the environments that we are part of.

To me, this concept is throughout the scriptures. Think of the Lord’s Prayer, which we repeat often, asking for God’s kingdom to come and for His will to be done. I believe He answers this prayer continually. I also believe our actions welcome or repel the likelihood of this occurring.

Let’s be people who live in such a way that we see every action and word as constructive or destructive, ensuring that shalom and flourishing are the most likely outcomes, alongside our sincere prayers for it to occur.

Storms and Spiritual Battles

I’ve been meditating on Luke 8:22-35 for a while following an encounter with a beautiful 15th-century icon of Jesus and the disciples in the storm. It’s a story that we all know well and as I looked at the icon itself, it helped me think through two things that I hope will help you too.

First, it helped me insert myself into the story as one of the disciples. To think about my emotions as I get in the boat with Jesus with no idea what’s on its way. Hearing Jesus say, with the same authority that created the universe “Let’s go to the other side,” and obeying. Observing Jesus falling asleep as I’m left awake while a massive storm arises.

I’ve imagined myself in this violent, life-threatening squall and contemplated what may have been going on in the boat. Angry and reluctant sailors blaming each other: “You should have bought that new boat you were talking about. That would have got us across.” Matthew piping up: “Maybe we should have some faith?” only to be shot down by Thomas with the others and me joining in: “What do you know about this? You’re a tax collector.” Jesus remains asleep while arguments and self-destruction begin. I feel uncomfortable about the ‘self-and others’ destruction and blame/pity party in tough circumstances, but alas, I keep indulging it myself.

Yet, what I’m not appreciating in the moment is that Jesus has a plan. He has the authority to stand up and utter a few words for the storm to stop. He is teaching the disciples and me in this boat (and for the future boat called “life”) that we need to go through storms that come our way with trust and confidence in Him. Jesus can easily change the circumstances and stop the storm but He chooses not to so that we can grow.

My response should be (and needs to be for myself and others) to remain disciplined in the circumstances quiet within! Not lashing out or sharing my internal pain by transmitting it. Instead, sharing my internal pain with God, so that my heart will be reset to rest in Him. 1 John 3:19 says “This is how we know that we are of the truth and how we will set our hearts at rest in his presence.” The way out is through.

Another revelation this icon brought was that Jesus had a purpose in setting out to sea in the first place: to rescue a deeply troubled prisoner. I had not seen the linkage before because they’re separated by chapter headings in Luke’s Gospel. The picture linked them for me whereas the chapter had disconnected them. Take a look for yourself on the far left.

Jesus took the disciples through that storm both to build their faith (let them know they could remain calm in the storm) and because He wanted to show them that He deeply cared and loved (an understatement if there ever was one) this man.

This is the mission we’ve also been called to and continue to do. To follow Jesus into the prisons of the world, to meet Him there and to serve those who are otherwise discarded, disregarded and despised. To be bringers of hope and healing to our world and to people that are destroyed by the hideous effects of crime and its consequences.

The rising of the storm was not because the disciples (or His ‘now-disciples’ like you and me) were doing anything wrong or uncommitted to Jesus or in the wrong place and time or any other reason. My conviction is that storms arise because we are in a spiritual battle.

A well-known Bible teacher was once asked, “What is a sign that you’re filled with the Holy Spirit?” and they said, “Trouble.” Trouble is a sure sign that we are on track when it comes to participating in God’s kingdom.

This ministry of reconciliation and the precious audience that we are called to (prisoners, families, victims) comes with the force of a royal decree from the Creator and Lord of the universe so a far better perspective is to expect a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:10-20 reminds us what our responsibility is when we are in that boat and how we can stand firm in the middle of the battle.

May God bless you in all that you do, especially amidst the storms that come your way. Stand firm and have an inner calm until the King chooses to stand up and bring calm to our outward circumstances.

Unfolding God’s Kingdom Purpose

Prison Fellowship International’s mission inspires me: to transform the lives of prisoners, their families and victims through a global network of ministry partners.

This short sentence encapsulates some of the things God has called us to do. Why am I so confident in asserting this?

Because in Luke 4, Jesus (the God who both spoke creation into being and who put on flesh) stood up in a synagogue in Nazareth and is handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah which said, “The Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

That is what was spoken in Nazareth – a royal declaration that is utterly true and dependable, an official order that has the force of law. And Psalm 19:9 declares that “The Lord’s decrees are trustworthy.”

Many decades later, in Revelation 5, John sees a vision of a Lamb on a throne (another picture representation of Jesus) who takes and opens a scroll.

I can’t prove it, but it makes sense to me that the Holy Spirit is revealing the significance of the previous event in Nazareth that John may have seen or heard about. Whether this is the case or not, as John looks back on his life and what he has witnessed, he sees Jesus in a new light. He sees Jesus in His universal and cosmic kingship role – the only one who has the right to unfold God’s kingdom purposes on Earth because of His completed work in His life, death, resurrection and ascension.

The continued opening of the scroll (which is creating a massive impact in our world – one that you and I are involved in through our work) will not end until He comes again. It is royally decreed by the One to whom all authority and power has been given.

The same powerful person who spoke our world into being and inspired the words that were spoken in the synagogue in Isaiah has called you and me into His service, into something big, something beyond mere human comprehension.

Here at Prison Fellowship International, we are here to serve you, dear brothers and sisters. Five years ago, we updated our mission statement to identify you, the amazing people on the front lines, as the people that we serve alongside prisoners, their families and victims.

I want to honor you today and say thank you. Thank you for all that you are doing. Thank you for your vision. Thank you for your obedience to God’s call. Thank you for walking the faithful way over the many, many years that you have served. Now is time to recommit ourselves and kick on. Now is the time to continue moving forward in this God-given mission.

An Unshakeable King

I don’t think anybody would deny that we live in interesting times of great shaking and challenge. Psalm 2 has always been a comfort and an assurance for God’s people since it was written 3,000 years ago. It is written as a declaration of God’s intent:

Do you know why God laughs? I think it is because He knows the end from the beginning and has stated, “I have chosen this man to be King, and he will rule on Zion, my holy mountain.” His confidence, passed onto and through His people, is that there is already a King on the throne. Nothing can alter that fact. Not only is there a King on the throne, but we are also His people and His ambassadors.

And He’s chosen us to serve prisoners, their families and victims in our daily work – groups that many others say “no” to care for even though He’s chosen them too.

We are privileged to do this work. No matter what challenges come against us, God declares, “I’ve installed my son as King.” And we know from elsewhere in the Bible that in Him, by Him and through Him, all things have been created and there is nothing that can stop what God is doing in our world through Jesus Christ. It began on Resurrection Sunday and will continue into eternity.

We are involved in something really important. In Isaiah 61:1, the Son of God (the King that God refers to in Psalm 2) stands up and announces His Kingdom mission and mentions the prisoner twice. That double mention assures us that this is Kingdom work of the highest order.

Through His own grace and mercy, this is what God has called us to. And though the challenges may be significant and various, we can have confidence that allows the same joy in our heart that causes God’s laughter to be ours too.

This is the fight of faith: what the Bible defines as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. When we are tempted to doubt this, remember that we are the people He has called to do this work.

We are not here by accident. And because of this, He will empower us and provide everything that we need. He is our refuge and strength and utterly reliable. This is great news when all around us seems to be shifting and shaking.

So today, again, let’s trust the King’s power, promises, authority and strength as we go about our daily tasks. Selah. As the Book of Common Prayer so beautifully says, “worthy are you to be praised and exalted forever.” Selah.

Returning to Center Court

When I was a younger man, I played a lot of sports, and one of my favorites was squash. Squash is like tennis, but it’s played in a very small room. It’s an incredible game – you must be fit, you’re constantly moving around and it’s very mentally taxing. There is a secret to playing squash and is that you must return to the center of the court. Wherever you are on the court, you must move back to the center to play your best game. I think there are spiritual parallels here, which for us is the cross and our relationship with the resurrected Jesus.

We’re in a civilizational and cultural moment right now. All we have to do is switch on the news, listen to the radio, read the newspapers or talk to friends. We are in a time of stress and strain.

For us, for the people of God – what does that mean? What does it mean to be living in these times of civilizational and cultural moments and movements as people of God? What does it mean to be in the center of the court that God has called us to play on?

What an inspiring and magnificent word, not only for us, but for those who have come before us and those who will come after us as well. David was inspired by God Himself to write this Psalm. As we pray these divinely inspired words, we join both David and Jesus Christ, God incarnate, in the prayer, so we can return to the centrality of our faith which is Jesus Christ and the fact that He is with us, for us and by His Holy Spirit, lives in us.

How is your tactical game going? Are you constantly returning to the center in order to take part most effectively? I hope you will see a little more of Jesus in your leadership, anchored to the center of the court and nowhere else.

An Easter Reflection

Walking is a slow and intentional activity. We walk at approximately the same speed as our heartbeat.

Jesus never moved at any other pace so far as we are told. He walked with his disciples, at the pace of being known and knowing them. Running is great, but you don’t encounter others at that pace.

Some may point out that walking occurs at the same speed as thought. Imagine that…the creator of the universe walked slowly and intentionally towards his own death propelled by purpose and love.

Plenty of time to think, plenty of time to refuse and turn away from his mission, plenty of time to indulge in fear and plenty of time to contemplate the prize. Which is us, all of us. The mystery and the wonder dawns on us slowly and results in praise and adoration.

And thank you for being part of this ministry, walking alongside those in prison and their families around the world. Together, we are growing and uniting as a body of believers, following the path forged by the footsteps of our Savior.

Children of prisoners from across the world who are enrolled in The Child’s Journey helped create this video of reflection and hope for this Easter season. I encourage you to take a few moments to watch it, knowing that your heart will be blessed by this powerful message.

Trusting the Story

Father, this is about you. We’ve already committed our time to you, committed our year to you. We’ve asked you for wisdom. God, you say that you are bringing about, through your kingdom, a planting for your own splendor. That’s the story, Lord. We trust you above all. We trust the story of your redemptive power and action in our world. Lord, grace us with skill and gifting beyond what would be ours without you. God, we commit our year to you and thank you for involving us in your amazing mission and calling us into a relationship with yourself.

Recently, I was talking with a great friend who I have not spoken to for about six months. He said to me, “Andy, there are just some times when you need to trust the story.” What a great bit of advice: trust the story that we are in the middle of.

So, what is that story for us? That story is God’s work in our creation, His kingdom, of which there will be no end. Everything is created by Him, through Him and for Him. At the heart of His kingdom are the poor, the oppressed, the prisoners. That’s God’s kingdom. That’s what we’re invited into.

I know we’ve got great people within the Prison Fellowship International family. I know our teams have really solid strategies. I know we’ve got commitment. I know that God is with us. The rest is an open book. I can’t predict what’s in front of us, but I believe it’s going to be a great year. I’m trusting God for a great year, but if it’s not, then I’m going to trust the story.

As I encourage you to also trust the story, I don’t want you to think, “Andy’s worried that we’re going to have a down year.” That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that whatever comes through the gate, God is with us.

Psalm 46 tells us that “God is our refuge and strength.” This means that whatever happens, He’s always with us. We know that we can trust the story, one of a God who puts on flesh. One of a God who twice mentions the people whom we are serving daily when He first announces the launch of His kingdom. What a great privilege.

I want to encourage you at the beginning of this year. I hope that this will be a great year. I think it will be. Like last month’s prayer said, “God, give us wisdom. We need more of it than ever.” As we orientateourselves around and adopt the posture of this prayer, we are able to trust the one who made the story in the first place. The one who says, “I am your refuge and strength.” As much as we need great strategy, that’s not what we should be placing our trust in. As much as we need resources, it’s not that either. God is the basis of everything we need in 2024.

Recently, I have been asking God to crown our year with splendor. When we pray and articulate, we are praying things into being as well. That’s why our prayer is so important. I don’t know if you’ve ever thought of prayer in that kind of way, but there’s a creative act that occurs when we articulate, inspired by the Spirit of God, aligning ourselves with the Word of God.

Restoration in Lebanon

“If you had killed me in 2016, who would have visited you?”