Benefit for faith-based agency Oct. 19
By Jessica Bassett Of the St. Louis American
A shoplifter by trade, Richard Jackson spent 11 years in and out of prison. He knew God and, by his own admission, was trying to become more holy. In 1989, and still incarcerated, God told him to start a ministry called Manasseh, “A cause to forget.”
“It’s about forgetting what you did wrong and starting over,” said Jackson, now an assistant pastor at Barak Christian Church.
Manasseh Ministry is a not-for-profit faith-based agency that provides people in need with support, donations and prayer through the love of Jesus Christ. It was started by Jackson’s family in 1990.
The newest addition to the ministry is the ex-offender employment program, which provides prison ministry and employment recruitment for ex-offenders, as well as social support for women with imprisoned mates, headed by Jackson’s wife, Rhonda. To strengthen its vision, Manasseh Ministry began the program last year in partnership with Better Family Life.
“Ex-offenders can look at us and see how God has blessed us,” Jackson said. “We can be shining lights for those coming home because we’ve been where they’ve been.”
Every day ex-offenders return to the streets, he said, and more needs to be done to help them reintegrate into society.
Therefore, Manasseh Ministry invites all ex-offenders and the local community to join them for their dinner and jazz fundraiser EX-MAD: Ex-Offenders Making A Difference from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the New North Side Family Center, 5939 Goodfellow. This year’s theme is “Locked Down Leaders,” in which two ex-offenders will be honored for changing their lives and making a difference in their communities.
The campaign is designed to inspire young men and women to accept their leadership gifts and connect them with resources, in and out of prison. Two scholarships will also be awarded to children of incarcerated parents.
“There are many contributions being made by ex-offenders who turn their lives around,” Jackson said. “But they’re not being recognized.”
Guest speakers for this semiformal event will include KMOV news anchor Vickie Newton and CEO of City Capital Corporation Ephren Taylor. Presentations will begin promptly at 7 p.m.
Donations are $55 per person and $550 per table. All proceeds will benefit Manasseh Ministry. The organization is looking to purchase a much-needed cargo van to transport donations and a database to help ex-offenders find employment, mentorship, education and counseling resources.
In addition to the ex-offender program, Manasseh Ministry offers several services, including new clothing, school uniforms and supplies, household necessities, emergency funds, resource referrals, counseling and home fellowship to children and residents in shelters, nursing homes and substance abuse centers.
In 2006, they assisted 3,770 persons with over $183,000 of in-kind gifts.
“If you’re serious about helping people, get involved, don’t just say it,” Jackson said. “If you want to help, but don’t have the time, support the people who do.”
Next year, Manasseh Ministry is looking to start an after-school program for at-risk children and expand its prisoner visitation program to teach inmates parenting, budgeting, life and job skills six months prior to their release. These persons also will be matched with churches and mentors to provide them with extra support for when they come home.
Statistics show that offenders who improve these skills and have family support are less likely to go back to prison than those who do not.
“If I’m not willing to go out on the frontline and see the need of the people, although I have the power to help and will not, then there’s no need for me to preach anymore,” Jackson said.
For more information on Manasseh Ministry or to buy tickets call, Rhonda Jackson at 314-655-8840 or Richard Jackson at 314-732-7340.
