Not only do we believe in the power of Jesus Christ to change lives, we also have seen many lives changed and bear witness to the genuineness of God's work in those who come to Christ.

We therefore unconditionally advocate for incorporating Christian ministry into the efforts of the Justice System. Lives changed by the power of Jesus Christ will positively impact our society and our world.

Justice and Mercy seeks to promote safer communities through justice system reform. For this to happen the system must be an effective agent of change in the lives of incarcerated individuals.

Sadly, the correctional system is too seldom corrective; the rehabilitative arm of the system infrequently rehabilitates; the justice system is not consistently just.

Upon commitment to a correctional facility or a jail, inmates routinely go through an evaluative process which involves a proscriptive plan mandating necessary programs to be completed before release. Within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, this process is administered in the Diagnostic Classification Center (DCC). Men receive this evaluation in the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill and women at the State Correctional Institution at Muncy.

Common programs for inmates include "Anger Management," "Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation," "Stress Management," and various life-skills training. All of these programs are excellent, and carefully planned and taught.

However, the recidivism rate remains frightfully high. The reason is clear: Lives are not changed.

A recent interview with Mark Earley, President of Prison Fellowship provides significant insight into this issue. See http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/november/36.70.html

Justice and Mercy believes that persons must change from the inside out--and that the power to change a life can only come from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the heart of the Gospel is the affirmation that "if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17; NRSV).

God is in the life-changing business. The Life Application Bible describes that change in its commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Col. 2:6-7). At conversion we are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life under a new Master."

Each word and phrase that constitutes the Apostle Paul's fundamental description of Christ-centered transformation is essential to understanding the process.

"So if": The possibility of life-change rests on the word "if"; that qualification must be met.

"Anyone": The offer of life-change is all inclusive, open to all who will comply with the qualification.

"Is in Christ": When we believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we are "in Christ," saved "by grace through faith" (Ephesians 2: 8,9). The life-changing power does not come from membership in any church or organization – it comes from relationship with Jesus Christ!

"There is a new creation": "A new creation" simply means a new person--one not merely reformed, but re-formed.

"Everything old has passed away": The change process is complete and total. It may not be instantaneous, but a new life begins at the moment of the new birth. As a new believer in Christ grows and matures, the change becomes more dramatic and more evident.

An old chorus by Stanton W. Gavitt testifies: "Things are different now, Something happened to me / When I gave my heart to Jesus; / Things are different now–I was changed it must be, / When I gave my heart to Him! / Things I loved before have passed away, / Things I love far more have come to stay. / Things are different now! / 'See, everything has become new!'"

The work of Jesus Christ in the life of the believer is comprehensive. The impact is wide-ranging; literally every aspect and dimension of life is impacted. This is the amazing work of our life-changing Savior and Lord!

That most familiar hymn "Amazing Grace," written by the former slave trader John Newton, expresses the firm conviction of Justice and Mercy that only Jesus can produce real change in the lives of individuals:

"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound / That saved a wretch like me! / I once was lost, but now am found; / Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, / And grace my fears relieved; / How precious did that grace appear / The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares, / I have already come; / 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, / And grace will lead me home..."

"Yours For Life" by Ron Hutchcraft: http://www.hutchcraft.com/yours/

"The Four Spiritual Laws" by Bill Bright and Campus Crusade For Christ: http://www.crusade.org/downloads/article/resources/4SpiritualLaws.pdf

"Steps to Peace With God" from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
 

Not only do we believe in the power of Jesus Christ to change lives, we also have seen many lives changed and bear witness to the genuineness of God's work in those who come to Christ.

Gina M. Stocker, founder and director of God's Treasure House, a transitional living center for women in Souderton, Pa., emerged from a life of pain and failure to find redemption and fulfillment through Christ.

Denied familial love and sexually molested periodically by trusted adults as a child, she drifted into a marriage strained by physical and alcohol abuse. The overwhelming stress of a life seemingly denied hope came to a head one day when she checked into a hotel in Baltimore.

"I had sleeping pills with me, but before I took them I found a Bible in the room left by the Gideon's. On the front cover there was a phone number to call if prayer was needed. I flipped through the pages came to Galatians 3:13 where it says that Jesus became a curse for us when he bore our sins on the cross of Calvary. I called the number and spoke to a very sweet lady. I asked her about Galatians 3:13 and she insisted on coming over with her husband to talk to me. When they arrived she saw the pills immediately on the dresser and asked if I was planning to take them. I started to cry and she asked me if I knew who Jesus was. They talked to me about the plan of salvation, but I told them that I had to think about what they told me. I spent two days with them, and they made me promise that I would go back home to my family."

Her life on track, at least temporarily, Gina completed training and opened a success travel agency. But even "with all the money the travel agency was bringing in I wasn't happy; something was missing in my life."

Again, God intervened. "I met a beautiful Christian woman while in Baltimore and she would never leave my presence without telling me something about Jesus. She reminded me of the woman I met from the Gideon's in the hotel room. She invited me to visit a church that she and her husband were preaching in one Sunday and they gave a message of salvation. With tears streaming down my face I ran to the altar to accept Jesus as my personal Savior."

Even so, "I had so much unforgiveness and hatred in my heart against those who hurt me. How could God forgive me when I couldn't forgive?"

Several years later, after selling the travel agency, she was introduced to an evangelist whose tapes her Christian friend had given her.

"After a whirlwind courtship John and I were married. He was loving and very patient and I felt one day he would begin abusing me or walk out, but he didn't. He was a praying man and loved Jesus deeply. And here he was married to a woman like me.

"Friends of ours were in prison ministry and wanted us to get involved, but I wanted no part of it. What could be so rewarding about ministering in prisons? There was a tugging at my heartstrings, but I wouldn't give in."

God later would offer Gina a chance to reconsider prison-related ministry, at a time when deeper valley experiences would further mold her Christian character.

In the interim she accepted an offer to join the staff of Christian Broadcasting Network, initially in Philadelphia and later in Virginia. Rising quickly through the ranks, she was asked by founder Pat Robertson to open a new division, CBN Travel.

"The travel agency grew by leaps and bounds," Gina recalled. "The traveling and the meetings were numerous. I hadn't been to my home church for weeks and I used the mandatory prayer time to catch up on my work in the office. I hadn't been to mid-week Bible study for months. I was so tired; my poor husband would stop by the office at five to take me home only to have to stay with me until 10-11 pm most evenings. The stress level got higher than ever, and I was burned out physically, spiritually and mentally. "

Upon her doctor's advice, she resigned from CBN Travel and came back to Pennsylvania. The next chapter in Gina's life would be among the darkest--but also most formative and triumphant--in her life's journey.

"I got a job right away as an administrative assistant and controller of a large company, but I wasn't making near as much as what I made at CBN. My dad was ill, unsaved, and expenses were mounting up. I couldn't make ends meet. I began writing checks to pay my Dad's bills. As controller my signature was all that was needed to cash the checks. Satan had his foothold in my life."

"Even in my backslidden state, the Lord allowed me to lead my father to salvation. Then He spoke to my heart and said, "Gina, I stayed true to my promise to you. I saved your dad-- but where are you?" I got down on my knees and the only words that I could say were, "Jesus, please help me. Please help me.

"Soon after, I told my boss about the money. I didn't go through a trial; I pled guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

"I remember the first night in jail; Satan began attacking me once again. He came doing what he does best. He began to condemn me. He told me, 'Gina, you didn't really get saved. I told you that you couldn't live the Christian life. I told you not to walk down that aisle. You're no good and you will never be any good.'

"I got up from my cot and I told him, 'No more! No more, Satan! You will not have me any longer. You made the mistake in sending me to prison. You are under my feet and there you will stay forever for God is my deliverer and healer.' I didn't care who heard me in that jail that night. I got down on my knees and asked God to forgive me, heal me and deliver me form the past, and use me for His glory. Whatever He wanted me to do I would do. The love of Jesus penetrated my very soul."

Soon special people were helping Gina discover the fullness of Christ's redemptive love.

"God sent me a love note one day in the form of a woman named Joy. Chaplain Johnsen had introduced us through a letter. She became my spiritual advisor at the prison and would visit me weekly. She wrote such encouraging letters and they would always come at the right moment; the Lord knows what we need. These letters continued throughout the eight years I was incarcerated. She walked more than the extra mile for me.

"There was a Christian psychologist who the Lord allowed to help me in a four-month class of healing of memories. In that class God set me free of unforgiveness, hatred, and bitterness once and for all. The greatest hindrance that kept me from living a victorious Christian life is that I harbored so much unforgiveness and bitterness. When I genuinely forgave all those who hurt me I was able to feel God's forgiveness. I realized then that I was not responsible for what happened to me when I was a young girl, but I was responsible for the wrong choices I made as an adult which led me to prison.

"I was able to write to my mother, realizing that perhaps she did love me, but because of superstitions and fears she had lashed out at me when I was a child. She came to accept Jesus as her Savior through my husband John, who visited her every day for several months. I talked to her on the phone daily when I knew her time was short, telling her how much Jesus loved her. The last words I heard from her were, 'I love you, Gina.'"

The prison ministry Gina previously had rejected now drew her in.

"The Lord allowed me the privilege to lead many to Christ. We would meet every evening for prayer and devotions and we had Bible studies on the unit on weekends for hours, sometimes going from 8 in the morning until 11 in the evening. I had always dreamed of going on the mission field; God answered my prayer and gave me a mission field to work in."

"God didn't send me to prison, wrong choices did, but what Satan meant for evil, God turned to good. Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

"Prison will forever be a part of me, for in those eight years I lived a lifetime -- the anger, the hatred, the unforgiveness, the utter hopelessness. But because God is my Redeemer, He has redeemed those awful times, replacing hatred with love for those who hurt; replacing terror with confidence in His sovereignty; replacing hopelessness with hope.

"I could never repay Jesus Christ for what He has done for me -- to lose everything, to be reduced in life to nothing, to be among the most powerless people on earth, then suddenly to be given everything. Jesus became the living answer to all my doubts, all of my pains, all of my problems. I can say today that prison has been the most rewarding and awesome experience of my life because of Jesus who changed my life completely."

It was through the experience of incarceration that Gina was led to embrace what she considers her life calling.

"While I was in prison God gave me a vision for God's Treasure House Ministries, a place where God stores and restores the 'trophies of His Grace'"! God's Treasure House is a transitional living center for women who have made a commitment to Jesus Christ while in prison and upon release have the desire to make a change in their lifestyles.

"We are uniquely equipped to understand the circumstances of God's beloved daughters who will come to stay at this house. We are well aware of the diamonds hidden beneath layers of pain. We know that only God can break the chains that bind and blind and hold God's children captive. We know that only the blood of Jesus Christ can cover and cleanse the stains of sin and shame. We walked through the darkness in the victory of God's Holy Spirit to conquer sin, self, and Satan."

Sandra Whiting overcame an attitude of hopelessness and anger before submitting to God's love and the caring nurturing of Christ-centered staff and programs.

"My life has been filled with abuse and one institution after another, and I felt as if God Himself had turned deaf ears to my cries for help. It was like a dark funnel sucked me in. I went to the bottom of my soul with self-pity, resentment, anger and fear. All that I thought about was how bad things were, how they would never get any better, and how scared, frustrated, and angry I was about everything. I turned off emotions.

"In April of 1998 I was assigned to the chapel detail at State Correctional Institution in Muncy (Pa.). I had no intention of keeping this detail. After all, what had God done for me? The good news was and still is that God had His own agenda. As I look back I realize that God had heard me all along. He had already set His Master Plan in motion and was moving in my life.

"There was a way out for me. But that could not and would not happen till I asked for help and acknowledged that the way I was going was not nor would it ever work for me. God placed at my disposal one of His servants and all the knowledge I would need. My questions became answers and the answers became the birth of my soul. Through services provided by the chapel and the chaplain I began to realize that I had not given God a chance. I was busy trying to do things my own way, running and getting nowhere. One dead-end after another.

"Bible studies showed me where to look and when I didn't understand, the chaplain was there to show me where else to look. "Life in the Spirit" gave me roots, slowed me down, and taught me to sit quietly, listen, and allow God to guide me. Weekly worship provided me with praise. Many hours of one-to-one with the chaplain gave me hope. Music taught my heart to sing--so much so that you can hear me humming or singing from 'Amazing Grace' to 'Goin' Up Yonder.'

"Had it not been God's love for me first, and then the many services provided through the chapel, and the many unselfish hours given by the chaplain, I wouldn't have that thread of serenity, or a harmonious way to live with myself. I wouldn't have learned that it's the hand of God guiding me and leading me through my heart. I wouldn't know the power of prayer or the need to follow God's Word. The Bible would still be a storybook put away in the record box under my bed. Instead, it has become my lifeline with everything already spelled out and provided for me. I give God all the praise and I thank Him for placing the chaplain in my life when I needed guidance, understanding, and pure love through God the most."

T.D. moved fro the crushing burden of painful memories and guilt into the loving embrace of Christ and fellowship that glorifies Him.

"Serving a life sentence, I tried to hide from all those painful feelings and memories of my past. I believed if I got involved with many things the pain that I was holding inside would disappear. I did get involved--in education programs (computers, college courses, tutoring), activity programs (weightlifting, softball), and some counseling--but I wasn't going to church nor was I praying because I thought God didn't care what happened to me. I was in a homosexual relationship and it made me happy. Everything seemed to be going well for me.

"After 7 ˝ years of incarceration, all the painful memories came to the surface. There was no way for me to hide from them. I refused to deal with them so long ago and now the pain was truly excruciating. I was afraid to deal with the abuse of my husband (I hated myself because of the scars I saw when I looked in the mirror), the death of my son (he was the world to me), losing custody of my daughter (knowing I would never be able to see her again) and the guilt I felt for all those people that I hurt in some way or another.

"Then one day, for some reason, I was brought to my knees beside my bed and for the first time in my life I prayed to God, carrying to Him the painful feeling within me. Tears flowed so easily and I couldn't stop. I blamed myself for everything. As I prayed and asked Christ to forgive my sins, I knew He was right there listening to my prayer. I felt such a peace come within my heart and my soul… something I truly never felt before!

"Since then God has been working in my life. I was taken out of isolation and six days later, I was given a job in the chapel as clerk typist. That was truly a blessing for me. I had the opportunity to work more closely with the chaplains. Throughout my nearly three-year stay in isolation, each day I received spiritual guidance from the chaplains. Even if it was just a kind word or smile, it truly made the day better because someone really cared.

"In so many ways, the chaplain reaches out to help each of us with our spiritual growth. For me, I've come a long way because I'm very active in the chapel. I'm a member of FISH [a Christian Service organization within the Chapel], the choir, Yokefellowship, Life in the Spirit, and Spiritual Uplift. The Chaplain also has a Bible study class. Each of these programs is very helpful to the many women who attend. We need these programs to continue our growth."

For S.R., the wholeness that Christ brings is a nearly indescribable miracle.

"It's hard to explain exactly what He means, because Jesus means so much.

"He is everything and a few words can't describe it. Only through Jesus is it possible for us to have a chance to enter Heaven. He gave us that hope. Without His birth, death, and resurrection, we would be cut off from God. Our existence would mean nothing. Jesus loved me enough to lay down and die. That could only be unconditional love. He is also forgiving. The same people who cursed His name, spit on Him, betrayed Him, and crucified Him, He still forgave--loving them and giving them hope. Although He could perform miracles and was the Son of God, He remained humble and unselfish. He gave of Himself over and over again. He freely taught us the way of the Lord, showed us how we should live and never took any credit for Himself.

"When I really think about it, it's unbelievable. All that good in one man, carrying the burden of the world, knowing His life is about to be sacrificed, and never tried to change it because He only wanted to do God's will.

"Jesus to me means hope, love, forgiveness, humility, unselfishness, strength and my only way to God. Without His birth, I would be lost, and now Christmas will take on a whole new meaning to me as well."

"I had always done things my way," Jeff Galitsky admits, and when he accepted Christ in 1977 "with my head and not my heart" he left himself open to trouble. Sixteen years of "doing life my way" resulted in a "seven to twenty" in Pennsylvania for drug sales in 1993.

"When I got to county after my sentencing I had a talk with God," Galitsky recalls. "I said, 'O.K. I've done things my way and this is what it got me. So let's do it your way, because my way certainly doesn't work." So I gave my heart and my life to the Lord, and started reading my Bible and studying and asking questions.

"When I got to Camp Hill I signed up for as many Bible studies as I could. I started doing correspondence studies and growing in the Lord. I did all my programs and support groups and completed all the things that were demanded of me.

"I left prison in January of 2000 and went to a halfway house on pre-release status. God was blessing me all the way through. After five months in the halfway house I got my own apartment. I was paroled in September of 2000 and continued living in my apartment, still making right choices and following through with my decisions.

"I was going to church and studying, tithing to the Lord, paying my fines and my child support. Within six months God blessed me with my own home.

"I also joined Christian Motorcyclists Association, and learned that they went into the State Correctional Institution at Quehanna every year. I filled out a clean check, and the Lord moved, allowing me to be approved to go in even though I was still on parole. I got to share my testimony and be a blessing to the inmates there. It felt great to be giving something back. I soon learned that the only way for me to keep what I had inside was to give it away.

"God miraculously opened another door: In 2001 I was allowed to go back inside SCI Camp Hill for the prison run-a-thon that benefited Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Lancaster County. The staff had to fight for me to get me approved, but God opened the door and I went in and have been going in every year since.

"Inside I encouraged the men, ran with them and prayed with them. God blesses us to be a blessing to others.

"In the beginning of 2006 God did some things that I could barely believe, including allowing me to be approved as a mentor in a new program that was started at Camp Hill Prison.

"The next thing God did really blew me away: When I was in Camp Hill I lived for about three years with a lifer who was a strong Christian brother. He impacted my life, giving me a whole new outlook on my sentence and the way I looked at almost everything. I kept in touch with him after I was released so he could see what God was doing in my life. It was a way of him seeing some of his fruit.

"I wrote to him and asked what it would take for him to get me on his visiting list as his spiritual advisor. The next thing I know, I received some paper work from the chaplain and, with God moving once again, I became his spiritual advisor.

"I'll never forget our first visit. I hadn't seen him since 1999, and there we were sitting face to face. I looked at him with tears in my eyes and said, 'Only God could have pulled this off.' So now I can pour something back into the life of this Christian brother who had poured so much into me.

"The last thing God did this year was to open another door at Camp Hill Prison. I am now approved as an official chapel volunteer with Yokefellowship Prison Ministries. As a rule, no-ex inmates are permitted into state correctional institutions, especially when they are still on parole.

For Jeff Galitsky, the glory belongs to God. "When you give God a willing life and you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, there is nothing God can't do. I carry my very first prison ID card in my wallet because I never want to forget where God has brought me from."

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Lives can be and are being changed through the transforming power of Christ. The testimonies of the incarcerated who have found peace and purpose by allowing God to make them "new creations" are dramatic, poignant, inspirational and abundant.

That transformation is a witness to God's almost inconceivable grace.

We therefore unconditionally advocate for incorporating Christian ministry into the efforts of the Justice System. Lives changed by the power of Jesus Christ will positively impact our society and our world.