What a joy it has been to know Austin and his father. In 2005, Forgiven Ministry received a letter from this young boy. The following are portions of his heart on paper: "Thank you so much for the July 16th One Day with God and my daddy. He went to jail when I was 2....
This beautiful young lady had one wish, that when she turned 16, her father could dance the first dance with her at her Quinceanera, or coming of age celebration. She had dreaded the day for years, and now it had come. Forgiven Ministry was able to get permission to...
These two four-year-old twin boys had not seen their father, DJ, since they were eleven months old. They have grown up in an environment where punishment meant having to fight with older siblings - and fight to win. When they came to camp, their aggressive tendencies...
Les Bonnett joined us as Ministry Coordinator in April 2024, bringing a diverse skill set from his background as a USAF veteran, preaching minister for over two decades, USMC Fitness Boot Camp Instructor, Health Coach, and co-owner of UXLGrowth, a marketing company. He holds Master’s degrees in Education and Ministry.
Les is married to Mary Holland from Prince Edward Island, Canada. They met during a visit to a nursing home in South Carolina, where Mary was working as a Speech-Language Pathologist. They have two sons: Pearson, who works at Liberty University, is recently married, and pursuing his MBA, and Nicholas, two years younger, with Down Syndrome. If you meet Les and Mary, you’ll probably meet “Nicks” too!
At Forgiven Ministry, Les will focus on leading One Day with God (ODWG) camps and promoting the ministry’s mission. As Ministry Coordinator, he’ll also manage the blog, facilitate connections with the community, and speak at events as opportunities arise. Outside of ministry, Les enjoys spending time with family, hiking, tackling home improvement projects, and restoring classic cars.
Les and Mary are delighted to be a part of Forgiven Ministry’s family!
Lauren’s passion for helping others led her to Forgiven Ministry. She was born in California, moved to Maryland at 11, and graduated with a degree in Interior Design in 2016. As a military spouse, she moved cross-country multiple times with her husband and now has two children. Lauren uses her creativity and attention to detail to create a welcoming and supportive environment for those served by the organization. Her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact is a testament to her character.
Karen is a valued member of Forgiven Ministry, contributing her extensive financial expertise as an administrative assistant for the past 18 years. Her deep-rooted compassion for inmates and their families stems from personal experience – she witnessed the effects of her sister’s five-year prison sentence during her early adulthood. This encounter inspired her to dedicate herself to making a positive difference in the lives of those affected by incarceration.
In addition to her work with Forgiven Ministry, Karen volunteers at local and out-of-state camps to provide assistance to those in need. Her passion for helping others drives her to go above and beyond, and her dedication is an inspiration to all who work alongside her.
Meet Sunny Church, Forgiven Ministry’s Administrative Coordinator and a proud Ohio native. With a talent for organizing both her own home and the ministry’s office, Sunny is a valuable member of the team. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband Steve and son Luke, whether traveling or simply enjoying a quiet night in.
Since joining Forgiven Ministry in 2022, Sunny has played an essential role in the success of the One Day with God Camps. Her natural organizational skills and attention to detail ensure that everything runs smoothly. Sunny also provides support to the ministry’s volunteers and the families who participate in the ODWG camps.
Introducing Pastor Mitch King, Ministry Coordinator of Forgiven Ministry! He joined us in August 2020 and has been a driving force in leading our ministry to new heights. Mitch’s journey to ministry started in high school, where he met his love, Angela Farr. Since then, their commitment to each other and their faith has only grown stronger.
With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Mitch felt the call of God on his life in 1993. He obtained his Masters in Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1997, and has served in various ministry positions since. Currently the Pastor at Smyrna Baptist Church in Taylorsville, NC, Mitch’s impact on his congregation and community is immeasurable. Mitch’s energy and enthusiasm for ministry make him an invaluable asset to Forgiven Ministry.
Jack and Scottie were married May of 1972 and began serving with Yokefellow Ministry at
Alexander Correctional. Jack loved working with the inmates and sharing the gospel with them
individually. He and Scottie were blessed to travel with Prison Fellowship’s Operation Starting Line for several years. In 2000 Jack and Scottie formed Forgiven Ministry and is busy sending inmates across the U.S. Bible studies. He is a soul winner and one of the best. He has been chosen so many times to share the gospel in prison segregations. Jack is a man of God who loves to study the Word of God. Kind, gentle and caring would be his attributes.
A verse that describes Jack is:
“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act
justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)
As the founder of Forgiven Ministry, Inc., Scottie counts it a privilege to lead a faith-based prison ministry dedicated to restoring, reconciling and reaching those impacted by crime through the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Living as a child of an inmate from age 4 to 42, God has taken the pain of her life and turned it into a
wonderful work of His making. At age 54, God placed a desire in her heart to serve Him
in full time ministry, surrendering all. The greatest reward of her life is to be a part of a family coming to know Christ and to reconcile with each other.
My Life Verse: Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.