I have changed the name of the individual but I also will say that this story is common and can represent many who are or have been incarcerated.
I met Jake at a Bible study ina county jail several years back. He’s intelligent, thoughtful and seemed kind. Jake struggles with an addiction problem.
During Jake’s first time in, he decided to make a commitment to Christ and showed up to Bible study every time before his release. He seemed like a new guy and I believe he was.
When he got out, Jake found a church to get involved with. He felt connected and loved. the addiction that was silent started to grow in him and sadly he started slipping back into his habit. Jake got involved in an altercation and got arrested again.
When Jake was back in jail, he started attending Bible study as soon as he could. He totally admitted and accepted his responsibility for why he was back and blames no one.
One day a group Bible study, Jake asked a question. As he did, his voice started cracking and tears welled up in his eyes. “They (the people in the church) said they loved me and stay by my side but as soon as they realized I was struggling with my addictions again.” Then he paused, took some breaths as if he was trying to compose, and then asked, “Why do you think they abandoned me when they said they said they would be by my side through good and hard times? No one has even written a letter or visited.” He was now subbing and it appeared as it obliviously affected all the guys in that meeting.
Jake wasn’t in any reentry, addiction, or support programs, nor did he have a mentor or discipler. Statistics show that each of those on their own would have possibly helped him to make better life choices. It’s not the church’s fault for what Jake had done, he’s responsible for his actions, but what if he was involved in what I’ve just mentioned. What if they were offered and he was made aware of them?