Formed and operated by The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) graduates and students, Testimony Ministries is a vibrant, flourishing outreach in Los Angeles County. Thousands of individuals every year are witnessed as Testimony Ministries shares The Gospel and discipleship with men and women, intending to change lives for the benefit of their communities and families.
Testimony Ministries recently held their 2nd Annual Testimony Reunion: A Celebration of Freedom 2023 event at The Chapel of Change Church in Paramount, CA.
Every TUMI student was invited to the reunion, and nearly 200 previously incarcerated students and/or graduates, and some major supporters also attended.
In partnership with Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA), Testimony Ministries’ founder, Jarrett Keith, organized the Reunion event. Together with Fuller, they are also providing services to justice-involved citizens via the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Act, which when applied and adhered to can provide second-chance education and employment opportunities.
This partnership opens doors for TUMI graduates to continue their seminary education, and possibly receive some courses free of charge.
Additionally, Fuller University and Testimony Ministries have begun bringing Fuller’s courses into The California Department of Corrections, with classes being offered to inmates and led by TUMI graduates. Dr. Don Davis, founder of TUMI (The Urban Ministry
Institute) was present at the Reunion and shared a challenge for attendees to,
“do something different from the Christian Church of America.”
Speaking of how different church on the ‘inside’ is compared to church on the outside, he identified what an opportunity it can be to provide ministry and build
churches that are on fire for Jesus like the inmates are experiencing on the ‘inside’.
At the Testimony Ministry event TUMI Graduates Robert Hernandez and Jarrett Keith
presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to longtime volunteers Roger Ziegler and
Rick MacAfee. Serving USA’s Program Director Jon Lowry was also honored with a
Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and faithfulness to the initial
introduction of TUMI into the prison system, and its expansion into more than 20
States across the country.
This hard work has resulted in a dramatic reduction of recidivism as well as the establishment of thousands of successful Christian leaders throughout the United States.
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Each month Serving USA publishes a newsletter featuring our amazing ministry partners. We are so blessed by them as they work to make an impact with veterans, women in recovery, and individuals who have been incarcerated.
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