Good News Global is the largest organization of its kind placing Christian chaplains in jails and prisons around the world. Currently, Good News has 80 chaplains in the US and over 200 abroad. Good News chaplains serve 300,000 incarcerated men, women, and youth daily in 22 states and 24 countries worldwide. Their chaplains share the love of Christ with these inmates and staff while facilitating the ministry of thousands of volunteers. In many foreign prison systems, inmates are not fed, clothed, or provided medical care by the government. These essentials must be supplied through family or others on the outside.
Good News’ international chaplains step in the gap, often serving as the “humanitarian” providers and the spiritual lifelines for inmates.
Jonathan Miles Evans joined Good News Jail & Prison Ministry as the third President in the 60-year history of the organization in September 2013. Previously, he served as a volunteer in Anne Arundel County (MD) jails and as part of the Chaplain Support Team since 2001. He joined the Good News Board of Directors in 2005 and served as the Secretary as well as a member of the Membership, Executive, and Governance Committees.
Before joining Good News as a staff member, Mr. Evans served as the Vice President of Corporate Operations for L-3 Communications - D.P. Associates, Inc. responsible for overseeing all non-product development efforts including contracts, accounting, business operations, human resources, security, and corporate policy. He began at DPA in April 1997 as the first Human Resources Manager for the company rising to the VP (COO)position in 2004. Between 1997 and 2013 the company grew from 13 locations and 175 employees to 33 locations, 3 countries, and nearly 600 employees. Revenues during the period grew from $10 million to $ 125 million.
Mr. Evans has two master’s degrees from Capital Seminary and has completed additional graduate work in organizational communications and business policy development. Undergraduate work was completed at Washington Bible College in Christian education/sports and recreation administration.
Your entire career has been full of faith-based leadership positions, including years of volunteering as a chaplain, serving on the board of Directors, and as President of GoodNews Jail and Prison Ministry since 2013. From your encompassing point of view, what has been keeping Good News a solid, reputable, and relevant ministry for more than 60 years?
The entire 62 years of ministry of Good News has not been based upon strategic master plans – but rather upon the simple concept of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ behind bars to forgotten men, women, and children who are without hope.
The message of Christ is eternal.
And the method of Good News, deploying chaplains to correctional facilities has increased in need and relevancy. So, when you focus on the Gospel, and prepare to walk through the doors that only the Lord can open – the approach can be sustainable for the long term. All of this is made possible by the prayer and financial support of God’s people and His supply of called and committed men and women who are willing to serve with us.
22 States currently have Good News Jailand Prison Ministry chaplains working intheir jails and prisons, tending to the spiritual needs of inmates and staff. As a leader working with chaplains and thoughtfully placing them in ministry opportunities, what do you feel is fueling the recent resurgence, as well as a new generational interest, in chaplaincy as an in-demand job or career path?
The visibility of chaplaincy is rising, albeit slowly.
I think the plight of mass incarceration and the needs of correctional officers is enlightening people about the needs that exist behind bars – for inmates as well as staff. We feel like our recruitment efforts are somewhat in the infancy stage, but we believe the Lord will continue to provide chaplains today and in the long run as we continue to share the story of the amazing opportunity for the Gospel behind bars.
The day-to-day demands of leading employees and volunteers working directly in challenging and spiritually intimate, unpredictable situations certainly can offer a range of challenges. Many in Serving USA’s network work in similar spaces and would appreciate advice you can share which personally helps you maintain a positive work-life balance that keeps your family happy, you healthy, and genuinely present and fully available to continue helping others.
Augustine is credited with the quote: Pray as if everything depends upon God and work as if everything depends upon you.
There is much wisdom in that.
Ephesians 5:15 then says: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Most people tend to evaluate the work or the organization more than they evaluate themselves. I have found that LEADERSHIP principle number one is – Know thyself! Not just what you are good at or where weaknesses lie, but what your tendencies are and where your impulses tend to show up. Measure that against“healthy” (which may require external input) norms and then ask yourself – am I on the right path? The unexamined life -just doing what I do the way I think I am best suited to do it – leads to blind spots and ultimately leads to failure. Among our chaplains, we identify four critical dimensions of their function: Personal, Pastoral, Administrative, and Community. And we believe that failure in one leads to failure in all.
Good News Global's work transcends beyond prison walls. The Gospel's transforming power reaches those incarcerated, corrections staff, and families. The staff at Good News Global are able to witness the ripple effects of transformation, affecting generations and entire communities.
Phone: (804) 553-4090
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