Men in prison face stark and bleak lives – often lives without peace. This is especially true at Christmas, when loneliness, regret and depression can be at their peak.
Yet, surprisingly, in this second week of advent, we are finding peace at Waupun Correctional Institution, as a result of our prison seminary – Operation Transformation.
There are, in only our first cohort, reports of a reduction in violent encounters among inmates and staff and our seminary is getting the credit for the trending peace.
Our students are experiencing Christmas peacefully and deeply in ways never realized before. Until now, Christmas was Santa and the secular glitz that comes with it. They didn’t think much about Jesus or what God has done for us. Now we have the power of 40 transformed men appreciating, more than ever, what the peace and promise of Christmas is all about.
Most of our students say that they have a deeper appreciation for their families this year, now realizing how much they mean to them. They are improving their kinship relationships and bringing peace to their families.
Recently, students reflected on Christmas with one of our deans, Robin Knoll, and said they never felt loved as much at Christmastime as they feel this year. They are overwhelmed with the love that our donors have for them, the reason they’ve been blessed by that love, and the gifts that have been given, that allow them a new chance at life. They are humbled. As are we.
We’re humbled by the many prayers our ministry receives. Those answered prayers are bringing peace to Waupun, its inmates, guards, and staff. But there is still more to do.
It costs $8,000 per year, per student, to operate our seminary. If you haven’t made a donation yet this year, would you please consider making a gift that’s meaningful to you? If you’ve donated this year, thank you, and would you consider a supporting monthly gift in 2019 to help us reach our financial goals? Without your prayers and resources, we cannot sustain our ministry. Our students need you!
To donate, click on the button below to be taken to our secure website.
Thank you for your continued support and Merry Christmas from the students, faculty and board members of WIEA and Operation Transformation!
Prayer Requests
Please pray for our supporters, that they continue to open their hearts to our ministry by sharing their prayers and resources with us.
Please pray for our 40 students, that they continue to find peace in their deepening understanding of our Lord.
Please pray for our faculty, that they are able to guide our students effectively in both their academic and spiritual formation.
Please pray for our leadership, that they continue to energetically guide WIEA with grace and wisdom.
And finally, please pray for our efforts to assist the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in getting the message out to other prisons, about the application process for the next cohort, before it begins in February.
“The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.” -Number 6:25-26
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