TUMI

Yesterday I wrote about the Ronald Reagan Library. Although it was a wonderful place, the reason we went there was for a fundraiser dinner for a really great program.

The recitisism rate in California is 75%. That is, 75% of the inmates that are released from prison return there within 3 years. There is a great program, run by donations, that educate select prisoners to become clergy. The rate for those going through this course is 7%.

More importantly, those leaving prison are going back to their old stomping grounds. Think inner city neighborhoods were you wouldn't want to drive through much less live or work within. These parolees are the locals that are accepted as one of their own.

I'm not naive - I realize that when people are faced with incarceration, many "find the lord". At the same time, there are many that have never had the opportunity to really explore their beliefs. Even if they have, the cost to become a pastor can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. This group allows individuals to influence people in the very areas that most need it.

Here is an article written less than a month ago.

By Alyson R. Quinn | September 22 20110

A small crowd gathered in a downtown gymnasium. Graduates in caps and gowns smiled sheepishly, crossing a podium to receive their diplomas. It was like graduation ceremonies everywhere, except that two of the graduates were ex-prisoners completing their training to become urban pastors.
The ex-prisoners completed their coursework through The Urban Ministry Institute, or TUMI, a seminary-level curriculum developed by World Impact and taught by Prison Fellowship facilitators behind bars. Since its advent three years ago, TUMI has spread rapidly to five California prisons.
“[TUMI] is one of the best collaborations we have,” says Steve Cummings, director of advancement for Prison Fellowship.
Austin Chiang, one of the first ex-prisoners to graduate, heard about TUMI while incarcerated at California Rehabilitation Center – Norco.
“I was ecstatic,” says Austin, who enrolled right away. He relished the intense classes, the fellowship with volunteer Prison Fellowship facilitators, and the opportunity to become a leader.
With newfound confidence in his biblical training, he also started a thriving Bible study in his prison dorm.
Since being paroled in 2009, Austin has continued to lead. He took the additional TUMI classes he needed to graduate, and the house church that he started with his wife has blossomed into a healthy urban congregation.
With dozens of prisoners now enrolled in TUMI, Steve believes Austin is just the first of many inmates who will also emerge from prison to pastor churches.
Steve says, “If these guys find out there are people that believe in them and want them to become leaders in the Church, they take it by storm.”

I love this quote: "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."