Judson College Launches Women’s Prison Program in Florida
Mary Asta Mountain | August 22, 2024
On August 21, in the largest women’s prison in the state of Florida, the only Florida prison with inmates on death row, 20 new students of Judson College gathered for their first fall convocation. Following convocation, this coming Monday will mark both the beginning of classes and the launch of Southeastern’s third Field Minister Program, established at Lowell Correctional Institute in Marion County, FL.
Judson College’s Field Minister Program exists to train and disciple incarcerated men and women to become ambassadors for Christ and fulfill the Great Commission in their context. Upon their graduation from the program, equipped with theological education and training, these Southeastern alumni are sent out in teams as field ministers throughout their state’s correctional facilities.
At the Marion County Extension Center (MCEC) in Lowell Correctional, students in the Field Minister Program have the opportunity to earn a fully accredited Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in either psychology, ministry to women, or justice and social ethics. These women will be taught primarily by adjunct Southeastern faculty from the Ocala area.
Nick Colton, two-time graduate of Southeastern, serves as the assistant director of Prison Programs for the Florida extension center and is eager for the start of the new program. Reflecting on the fall semester and the beginning of these students’ journeys, Colton was struck by God’s goodness.
“As I look to the future, I’m most excited about seeing field ministers being sent out to serve as gospel ministers in other state prisons. Envisioning the moment when the graduates will be sent out strikes me as a beautiful redemption story,” he shared.
Envisioning the moment when the graduates will be sent out strikes me as a beautiful redemption story.
In the months leading up to the fall semester, he has seen God’s provision through local churches which have enthusiastically stepped forward to provide support for the program and its students.
During a meeting with the Marion County Baptist Association, Colton had the opportunity to share with local pastors and church leaders about God’s work through the Field Minister Program. Many of those in attendance that day have since offered their time and experience to serve as tutors and mentors for the students in the MCEC program.
In the launch of the new extension center, Southeastern is thankful for the partnerships of Lowell Correctional, the Department of Corrections in Florida, and Prison Seminaries Foundation. Because of the eager cooperation of these organizations, participants in the MCEC program not only have the opportunity to purse higher education but also are being equipped as disciple makers and proclaimers of the gospel.
Despite the gravity of many of these women’s circumstances, God has called them to a mission field that is often unseen and neglected. Southeastern is excited to be a part of this work and to equip these new students for the ministry that God has called them to.
To learn more about Southeastern’s Field Minister Program and ways to get involved, visit The College website here.