The 1930 Central Prison IRM Ministry Team

Pastor Training Program

The Pastor Training Program (for pastors who find themselves in prison) began in 2010, though the God-given vision for that Pilot Program began in 2008 with International Reconciliation Ministries founder director, Arlene Tatum. The Pilot Program was initiated in three prisons: Rilima, Nsinda and the 1930 Central Prison.

Pastor Roger and translator Pastor Peter

In 2009, Pastor Roger Stevens answered God's call to be the lead pastor in developing the first lessons for the program. The Kinyarwanda Discipleship Booklet written by Arlene (with additional lessons on Servant Leadership and Integrity by Pastor Roger), comprised the materials for the three day training. Pastor Roger, along with team member Jon Johnson and interpreter Rwandan Pastor Peter Deyali, compiled the first ever IRM Pastor's Training Team. Also attending the training were three Rwandan teams, each consisting of one Chaplin from Prison Fellowship and one Pastor from the Foursquare Gospel Church Rwanda. These teams will return to their designated prison once a month to encourage the prison pastors, track the pastor's work within the prison, and then turn in reports on their findings to IRM.

Jon and translator Pastor Peter

Prisoner Pastors expressed their views concerning the training they received saying "their conscience had been sharpened with regard to their holy calling. They were able to make a distinction between head-knowledge about Christ and receiving Christ Jesus in one's life and heart as Savior and Lord. That understanding was gained on how to carry on with ministry, aspects of team work, having proper knowledge of God's purpose for their lives while in prison and living for HIS glory in word and deed."

Wardens commented that what IRM is doing in the prisons is highly cherished and held dear in the prisoner's lives, having done much to shape the prisoners unity as they have been reconciled to God and to each other. They also noted that "IRM's biblical training materials are not denominational and you have brought together pastors and religious leaders in harmony and peaceful co-existence. This has never been done before in the prisons and it is exactly what the government is looking for, IRM's efforts will not go unnoticed."