Honoring Those Who Serve Behind the Walls
The Neighborhood Christian Center was honored to partner with the Morgan County Jail in celebrating Correctional Officer Appreciation Week. This year's theme, "The Dream Team," recognized the dedicated men and women who faithfully serve behind the walls each day with professionalism, integrity, and compassion.
Throughout the week, NCC staff and volunteers expressed their gratitude by providing meals, snacks, games, daily devotional, encouraging notes, and door prizes as a small way of saying "thank you" to the correctional officers and jail staff. Their work often goes unseen, yet they serve in a challenging environment that requires courage, professionalism, and compassion.
One of the highlights of the week was welcoming Reformation 319, a Christian nonprofit founded by retired Federal Bureau of Prisons lieutenant Jason Zaharis. Their ministry exists to encourage correctional officers by promoting personal, mental, and family wellness while helping officers integrate their Christian faith into every aspect of their work. Reformation 319 also seeks to improve relationships between correctional staff and those who are incarcerated, fostering a culture of dignity, hope, and transformation.
At the NCC, we know firsthand the sacrifices correctional officers make. Through our ongoing jail ministry, we have the privilege of serving alongside the staff at the Morgan County Jail each week. We are deeply grateful for their partnership, which allows volunteers to share the hope of Jesus Christ with hundreds of men and women each year.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to every correctional officer and staff member at the Morgan County Jail. Thank you for your commitment to protecting our community, maintaining safety within the facility, and treating others with professionalism and respect. We pray that God will continue to strengthen, encourage, and bless you as you faithfully serve others.
Throughout the week, NCC staff and volunteers expressed their gratitude by providing meals, snacks, games, daily devotional, encouraging notes, and door prizes as a small way of saying "thank you" to the correctional officers and jail staff. Their work often goes unseen, yet they serve in a challenging environment that requires courage, professionalism, and compassion.
One of the highlights of the week was welcoming Reformation 319, a Christian nonprofit founded by retired Federal Bureau of Prisons lieutenant Jason Zaharis. Their ministry exists to encourage correctional officers by promoting personal, mental, and family wellness while helping officers integrate their Christian faith into every aspect of their work. Reformation 319 also seeks to improve relationships between correctional staff and those who are incarcerated, fostering a culture of dignity, hope, and transformation.
At the NCC, we know firsthand the sacrifices correctional officers make. Through our ongoing jail ministry, we have the privilege of serving alongside the staff at the Morgan County Jail each week. We are deeply grateful for their partnership, which allows volunteers to share the hope of Jesus Christ with hundreds of men and women each year.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to every correctional officer and staff member at the Morgan County Jail. Thank you for your commitment to protecting our community, maintaining safety within the facility, and treating others with professionalism and respect. We pray that God will continue to strengthen, encourage, and bless you as you faithfully serve others.
From Angola Prison to Preaching the Gospel
Ashley Collins first met Kyle Hebert at a conference, where they quickly connected through their shared passion for jail and prison ministry. After hearing part of Kyle's incredible testimony, Ashley knew it was a story the men and women at the Morgan County Jail needed to hear.
Kyle spent 22 years at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola Prison, after receiving a 40-year sentence in 1999. During his incarceration, God radically transformed his life. He surrendered his life to Christ, earned degrees in biblical studies and a Master of Divinity.
Currently, Kyle works at Deltak Manufacturers in Walker, LA, is a licensed minister, serves as a chaplain, continues to teach in prisons, including Angola, and travels the country sharing the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
We are grateful Kyle took the time to share his story with the men and women incarcerated at the Morgan County Jail, offering hope, encouragement, and the reminder that God can transform any life surrendered to Him.
Kyle spent 22 years at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as Angola Prison, after receiving a 40-year sentence in 1999. During his incarceration, God radically transformed his life. He surrendered his life to Christ, earned degrees in biblical studies and a Master of Divinity.
Currently, Kyle works at Deltak Manufacturers in Walker, LA, is a licensed minister, serves as a chaplain, continues to teach in prisons, including Angola, and travels the country sharing the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
We are grateful Kyle took the time to share his story with the men and women incarcerated at the Morgan County Jail, offering hope, encouragement, and the reminder that God can transform any life surrendered to Him.
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Trust the God of Commas
Two words have shaped both Ashley Collins’ personal walk with Christ and the NCC Jail/Prison Ministry: But God. What started as a simple “yes” to serving inside local jails has grown into a calling to share hope with men and women who feel forgotten. This ministry is not about programs or platforms; it is about people. We have watched participants surrender their lives to Christ, reconnect with family, and step into a new direction after release. Some who once attended as inmates are now encouraging others, reminding us that transformation is possible when Jesus meets someone right where they are. Ashley has witnessed firsthand the power of God to redirect lives. Each week through the jail ministry at NCC, she and other staff and volunteers meet individuals carrying heavy pasts—addiction, broken relationships, and deep shame. Yet inside those walls, we consistently see hearts soften, faith grow, and lives begin to change.
The call to write a book was no easy task, but Ashley obeyed and wrote ,but God: Stories of Hope and Grace from an Alabama Jail. She wanted to share real stories of changed lives and redemption that only come through God’s grace. And the place she found them was a place she goes to every week, behind bars at Morgan County Jail. The devotional connects Scripture with testimonies of redemption happening right here in our community.
Each day highlights a but-God moment from Scripture paired with authentic stories of second chances, practical encouragement, and biblical truth designed to strengthen faith. This devotional is not just for those who are incarcerated or walking through a difficult season — it is for anyone in need of encouragement, hope, and the reminder that God is still writing their story.
And the comma in the title is not misplaced. Be prepared, after the comma, God does amazing and miraculous things. We serve a God of commas, not periods. Your story is not over.
Ashley Collins is a first-time author with a passion for those incarcerated. With the sale of every book, she will make a donation to support NCC Jail/Prison Ministry. To purchase her book you can stop by the Neighborhood Christian Center or visit her website at www.ashleybcollins.com.
The call to write a book was no easy task, but Ashley obeyed and wrote ,but God: Stories of Hope and Grace from an Alabama Jail. She wanted to share real stories of changed lives and redemption that only come through God’s grace. And the place she found them was a place she goes to every week, behind bars at Morgan County Jail. The devotional connects Scripture with testimonies of redemption happening right here in our community.
Each day highlights a but-God moment from Scripture paired with authentic stories of second chances, practical encouragement, and biblical truth designed to strengthen faith. This devotional is not just for those who are incarcerated or walking through a difficult season — it is for anyone in need of encouragement, hope, and the reminder that God is still writing their story.
And the comma in the title is not misplaced. Be prepared, after the comma, God does amazing and miraculous things. We serve a God of commas, not periods. Your story is not over.
Ashley Collins is a first-time author with a passion for those incarcerated. With the sale of every book, she will make a donation to support NCC Jail/Prison Ministry. To purchase her book you can stop by the Neighborhood Christian Center or visit her website at www.ashleybcollins.com.
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If your church, conference, or ministry is looking for someone to share about jail ministry, redemption, and the faithfulness of God, Ashley would love to connect. Contact her at [email protected].
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NCC’s Journey in Prison Ministry
In December 2008, on the men's side of the jail ministry, the Neighborhood Christian Center began its work at Limestone Correctional Facility. Over the course of about 14 months, we taught four days a week, and during that time, 215 inmates graduated from the Jobs for Life program, each receiving 32 hours of training. However, in February 2009, changes were made to the Pre-Release program, which prevented us from continuing to teach Jobs For Life. We were able to teach from 2009-2016 Life’s Healing Choices, with 80 inmates graduating each year. Limestone Correctional Facility is also where Tim Bolding began working with Kairos and Prison Fellowship. We continued to participate in both programs until the onset of COVID-19, which paused our efforts at the facility. We hope to resume classes at Limestone Correctional Facility in 2025.
In 2012, we started teaching classes and hosting half-day seminars at the North Alabama Community Work Center (formerly known as the Decatur Work Release Center). At the request of Chaplain Baggett, we helped plan the start of Kairos at the Work Center, which has since become the most active Kairos site in Alabama since Covid. Jesus Lopez and Art Mann currently teach a weekly class for NCC at the North Alabama Community Work Center.
Following our work at the North Alabama Community Work Center, we expanded to Hamilton Aged & Infirmed Prison, offering classes and half-day seminars. We are expanding to three weekly classes at Hamilton A&I and will continue to hold five special events annually, with help from our volunteers, serving 55 male inmates. Jesus Lopez will start two classes on Tuesdays as part of the CORE program, while Tim Bolding will help lead a weekly Bible study at Hamilton A&I.
In 2012, we started teaching classes and hosting half-day seminars at the North Alabama Community Work Center (formerly known as the Decatur Work Release Center). At the request of Chaplain Baggett, we helped plan the start of Kairos at the Work Center, which has since become the most active Kairos site in Alabama since Covid. Jesus Lopez and Art Mann currently teach a weekly class for NCC at the North Alabama Community Work Center.
Following our work at the North Alabama Community Work Center, we expanded to Hamilton Aged & Infirmed Prison, offering classes and half-day seminars. We are expanding to three weekly classes at Hamilton A&I and will continue to hold five special events annually, with help from our volunteers, serving 55 male inmates. Jesus Lopez will start two classes on Tuesdays as part of the CORE program, while Tim Bolding will help lead a weekly Bible study at Hamilton A&I.
The NCC teaches and assists with classes in the local jail and prison systems 7 days a week. We are very fortunate to be able to teach as many classes as we do. Classes range from Bible studies to general life skills classes like relationships, job skills, and anger management as well as book studies including Boundaries, Purpose Driven Life, and Life's Healing Choices.
Once a class is complete, we have a graduation with certificates and delicious meal. Most of the time, the graduates can't wait until the next class begins. As you an imagine, with around 40-50 classes a week, there is a lot of curriculum and books that go with each class. The NCC chooses to provide, at no cost to the inmate, any books and supplies that are needed for each class. With our Education & Discipleship Ministry being our primary focus, we raise a lot of funds for this one ministry. If you would like to contribute to this ministry, you can donate below. Thank You!
