THE FIELD

The Polk County Jail Ministry Inc. exists to bring
the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus
Christ to those incarcerated and to all the staff
of the Polk County Sheriff’s offices. This logistically includes the main and interim jails, the administration offices, court-house, training and development offices, as well as patrol and dispatch on the Northeast side of Des Moines. Most of these county positions include three shifts of personnel. Altogether there are 490 Deputies, staff and 1150 inmates. This is a combined total of nearly 1600 people! After stating these figures one can see the magnitude of the ministry to which God has called me.

THE MINISTRY

With those incarcerated the window of opportunity can be brief. Some inmates are only in the jail a short 24 hours. Others can be housed for up to a year while awaiting sentencing. It is very critical that while working in this ministry I am sensitive to divine appointments.

MY PREPARATION

God has placed a call upon my life to be the Chaplain of the Polk County Jail. I have been uniquely prepared to be a Missionary to this ministry. Most recently, I was on the staff of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative for 3 ½ years. This ministry, which was started by Chuck Colson, is a faith based ministry to the incarcerated in the Newton Correctional Facility. This ministry is only in four states and has brought about phenomenal results. Prior to this I was heavily involved in men’s ministry, teaching and pastoral services in a large local church. My previous interactions with inmates has truly given me invaluable experience for my present post at the jail.

THE RISK

The average tax payer has no idea that statistically the state in their efforts to reform the incarcerated through behavior change sees over 70% going back to prison. With the faith based method only 6% go back to prison or jail. What a huge difference when one is truly transformed by the power of God! Those who experience brokenness are candidates for God’s transforming power. They are counseled one on one, sign up for Bible studies, challenged to stay in God’s Word, attend a Bible teaching church and commit to finding a mentor. All of these help to keep them accountable. Remember the window of opportunity for me to come along side the inmates varies from 24 hours before they post bail and are released, or up to one
year. I try to be strategic, flexible, and intentional.

MY CALLING

I am on call 24/7, every day. I could be called upon to give a death notification, officiate a funeral or offer comfort to the sick or dying. I could be asked to perform a wedding ceremony for deputies, or ride along with them while they are on duty. As I get to know the officers, I am given opportunities to encourage them, and to minister to them and to their families. I am available to offer marriage and family counseling, and to help them cope with the often difficult tasks they are called upon to perform. Hospital visitation of Deputies or their family members are opportunities to build relationships. I try to attend roll calls of the different shifts in order to introduce myself to the Sheriff’s Deputies. They are a close knit group and it takes time to develop relationships of trust with them. As public servants assigned the task of protecting our community, they are under a lot of stress as they are the disciplinarians and the enforcers of justice. The task of building bridges into the Deputies lives is slow, but rewarding work, and I am honored to serve them.