Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association

Behind and Beyond the Bars - A Correctional Ministry Podcast from CMCA

Religion EN ↓ 4 episodes

Are you in correctional ministries or have been curious about serving and don’t know where to start? Correctional ministries, one of the most important ministries of our times- is about bringing hope, dignity, and transformation to men and women impacted by incarceration, their families, and the communities they return to. This podcast exists to equip, encourage, and connect those called to this work, so their ministry flows from compassion, wisdom, and lived faith. Join Jeff Shafer as he explores what it means to serve in one of the most rewarding and challenging ministries, through honest co...

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Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association

Episodes

From Inmate to Innovator: Transforming Lives Behind Bars | Nick Robbins | Behind and Beyond the Bars 23.06.2026 48:45

In this episode of Behind and Beyond the Bars, Jeff Shafer sits down with Nick Robbins, CEO of Returning Home, to discuss his remarkable journey from prison inmate to prison reform innovator. Nick shares how faith, mentorship, and personal transformation shaped his life and how he is now helping incarcerated men break cycles of addiction, homelessness, and recidivism through a groundbreaking appro...

How Prison Ministry Changes Lives - On Both Sides of the Bars | Ping Lieu | Behind & Beyond the Bars 29.05.2026 50:46

Jeff Shafer is joined by Ping Lieu, a former inmate whose life was radically transformed through faith, second chances, and the power of simply being seen. Ping shares his journey from incarceration and isolation to becoming a husband, father, and operations leader at a major tech company. Together, Jeff and Ping explore the deep challenges incarcerated men and women face, the importance of human...

The Forgotten Mission Field: Inside Correctional Ministry | Evelyn Lemly | Behind and Beyond the Bars 01.05.2026 48:20

This week we are joined by Evelyn Lemly, former president of CMCA and longtime leader of Kairos Prison Ministry, to share how she was called into correctional ministry and what she’s learned leading it for over a decade. She unpacks the far-reaching impact of incarceration on individuals and families, the role of forgiveness and belonging in true transformation, and why this often-overlooked missi...

From Prison to Purpose: Nobody is Beyond God’s Reach | Karen Swanson | Behind and Beyond the Bars 27.03.2026 40:37

Jeff Shafer is joined by Karen Swanson, co-founder of CMCA and leader of Wheaton’s Correctional Ministries Institute, shares her journey into correctional ministry and why it matters more than most people realize. She unpacks the full scope of the work—from prevention to re-entry—while challenging the church to move past stigma and step into meaningful engagement. WATCH: https://youtu.be/SfRoALpYb...