For the Press & Standard
January 21, 2023
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace - Ephesians 1:7 NIV
SHIELD Ministries is committed to being available to God to aid men transition through prison, prison re-entry, and prison intervention services. Our program addresses all re-entry barriers which prisoners face. We provide evidence based cognitive behavior learning programs which include onsite housing services as well as counseling, job referral, and skills training services. We ensure that our participants understand legal and court-ordered requirements of their release to aid in successful completion. Our participants become successfully employed and become contributing members of society.
Recently, a campaign was launched against us attacking who we are as people with false accusations and misinformation attacking the work that we do because of our plans to establish a third educational housing facility in Walterboro, SC. This facility would house 55 men and become a hub of healing. We would, as we do with our other two facilities, provide case management and assessment services through Munissions Re-entry Software and partner with licensed counselors, trainers, and facilitators to equip the men on their road to redemption.
Those opposing our expansion to Walterboro have claimed that we are a ‘pedophile ministry’ and that we are bringing pedophiles to the community. These statements are untrue. Statements that we do not have licensed counselors providing services to the men are untrue. SHIELD Ministries partners with licensed professional counselors who provide weekly and bi-weekly onsite counseling services and also provides transportation to Charleston Mental Health.
The men we work with are seeking to be changed and be given a second chance. So, we teach them how to think, choose, and build correctly using an evidenced-based, Christian curriculum. This curriculum promotes healing, provides educational opportunities designed to help men overcome re-entry barriers, promotes accountability and responsibility, and provides residential stability and workforce readiness, all of which reduces recidivism.
What is true is that we have a heart to serve and believe that God gives everyone a second chance. We believe that we are admonished not to judge others, and that we are called to love God and love our neighbors, our brothers as ourselves.
We have heard the concerns of the Colleton County community and have made the decision to not admit registered sex offenders at that location. Sex offenders are only a part of those whom we serve. We serve men in South Carolina Prisons, county jails as well as those who are re-entering back into society. For FAQ’s see www.walterborolive.com.
