REPURPOSED LIVES

FEATURING FARGO: JAIL CHAPLAINS DESSERT SOCIAL

By Jill Kandel

www.5foot20.com

More than 600 people attended the Jail Chaplains 2014 Dessert Social and Fundraiser. The event's theme was Repurposed Lives, and the evening included a silent auction, live auction, dessert with coffee, and several speakers.

Sherriff Laney said, "We strive to give inmates every opportunity to succeed and change their lives. Programming is growing in Cass County Jail because it works. The Jail Chaplains support not only the inmates, but the entire staff. They are our heroes."

Executive Director Gerri Leach said, "This year we added Chaplain Elizabeth Williams to our staff. 25% of incarcerated individuals are female. Chaplain Elizabeth is expanding our ministry with women. In 2014, Jail Chaplain volunteers have come from across the FM area and 11 different churches."

Chaplain Mike Sonju spoke briefly about the work he has done at Cass County Jail since 2007, sharing a message of forgiveness and hope through Jesus Christ.

Joseph Williams, author of Sheep in Wolves' Clothing and the event's keynote speaker, spoke about his own life of crime and renewal. A career criminal and heroin addict from the age of 15 to 28, he spoke eloquently about restoring lives, beginning with his own. Williams trusted Christ and went on to receive a B.S. from Tyndale College and an M.A. from Wayne State. He is the founder and visit: www.jailchaplains.com

CEO of New Creations Community Outreach and serves on the advisory board of the Billy Graham Center's Institute for Prison Ministry.

Nancy Schafer was the final speaker for the evening. "I'm wearing a lapel pin," she said, "It says, 'Put God in Jail.' And that's exactly what the Jail Chaplains are doing."

Each year 7,500 men and women pass through Cass County Jail. Many of them return to Fargo-Moorhead to live and work. Giving to the Jail Chaplains is giving to the community.