Most of these individuals, as in Jonah chapter 2, are going through their “belly of the fish” experience.  A time that for what ever reason they are at the lowest of their lows.

It is the mission of Pastor Stephen and Bobbie King of Song of Jonah Ministry  to take the message that God loves them and has a plan of salvation for them through His Son, Jesus Christ. Even if they are at the absolute bottom they can always look up and draw on the strength that only God can give.

Pastor Stephen and Bobbie are both certified by the Georgia Department of Corrections to visit any of the prisons in Georgia and they regularly hold church services at Baldwin State Prison and Baldwin State Boot Camp in Milledgeville. They also assist the Full Gospel Business Men in music and ministering in the services at Jackson State Penitentiary at Jackson.

Pastor Stephen is also cleared to enter several of the local county and city jails and frequently visit inmates as requested.

When released, State inmates are given $25.00, a Dept of Corr. Inmate I. D. Card, a bus ticket to anywhere in the state and they’re told not to come back. After being isolated from society for 5 to 20 years, without any assistance, do you think you would be able to pick up from this situation and make a go of it? Maybe this is why Georgia currently has an 80% recidivism (prison return rate). 

But Song of Jonah Ministries reaches out to break this cycle by doing more than just entering the prisons. Working in conjunction with Set Free After-Care Ministries, The Jacob House Project and the Dept of Corrections Faith Based Character Development Program, our goal is to direct the formerly incarcerated to a structured Christian environment designed to motivate and assist men and women recovering from life crises, incarceration, addictive behaviors, brokenness and homelessness.

The program is designed to help participants back to a healthy thought pattern and a better way of living by employing Christian principals. Our focus is on physical, mental and spiritual rehabilitation and growth by character building, accepting responsibility and becoming productive in society. We offer an environment that encourages the desire to be self-sufficient individuals, anchored in Christ, capable of taking care of themselves and also to eventually be able to pass along a “good Samaritan love” to their neighbors.

The fruits of our labors are obvious. Those who have participated in the Faith and Character Initiative of Song of Jonah Ministry have resulted in a success rate of more than 87% compared to 20% for those who have not had the opportunity to be involved.

It is our goal to operate on a self sufficient budget but it is only by your prayers and offerings that we will be able to “tend to these fields that are ripe unto harvest” and meet the need now. Today there are over 500 in prison that could be released if they only had an acceptable address. Some have been waiting 2 years.

There are many areas that anyone may be involved in this ministry. We welcome anyone interested in participating with us in a prison service.

Writing letters of encouragement and to witness to those who are incarcerated

Procuring donations of hygiene items for Christmas presents for inmates and guards.

Locating real-estate for transitional housing and enlisting House Managers to oversee them.

Enlisting mentors, counselors, teachers and advisors for rehabilitation.

Referrals of employment opportunities

Securing means of transportation both public and private.

Most of all, your prayers and support!

Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mat 25:35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mat 25:36  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Mat 25:38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mat 25:39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Investment in character pays the greatest dividends and rewards.

Rev. Stephen King 
                      revstephenking@yahoo.com or stephen.king@lmco.com