Church Empowers 8 Inmates in Bong County

About eight inmates have graduated from the Ambassadors for Christ Evangelistic Ministries Reform Training Program at the Gbarnga Central Prison in Bong County. The nine-month training was intended to change the lifestyle of the convicts to enable them become productive persons in their respective communities.

The graduates through their President James Chorwo, welcomed the reform program at the prison, noting the training has helped them to build their moral capacity in biblical counseling, conflict resolution, stress management and living a Christian life.

They said after being empowered with vocational education, while in prison, they now look forward to making meaningfully contributions to the society.

Giving a brief history of the training program, Pastor Moses Mykpan said the Ambassadors for Christ Evangelistic Ministries was founded years ago to restore hope to individuals, who have been found guilty of contravening the law.

He said the Ambassadors for Christ Evangelistic Ministries is operational in major courts and detention facilities in the country, including the Gbarnga Magisterial Court; the Liberia National Police Headquarters, and the Bong Central Prison.

Pastor Mykpan said with necessary assistance, he will move mountains because the inmates are willing to learn. He said if those behind bar are given attention, especially through the Gospel and vocational education, they will never return to their usual attitudes.

Most of the graduates of the program are inmates serving long- term imprisonment. Amongst the graduates was Modesco Nyander, who was last Tuesday sentenced to death by hanging by the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court for murdering one Annie Kpakilah in 2007.

The convict was seen preaching as he held papers with various colors in his hands. “This gold color you are looking at shows how we will walk in the golden streets of heaven as Jesus Christ came and died for our sins” he said in his message to fellow inmates.

Modesco believes their sins will be forgiven by Jesus Christ as they work toward repentance. “Jesus is our true Lord and savior, if you regret your action, he can forgive you” he said, and admonished his colleagues to be prayerful in their difficult times.

The graduation program, which was held within the facility of the prison, was witnessed by representatives of UNMIL and local authorities and some family members of the convicts, including a female, who is serving a life sentence.