It’s little surprise that Wendy has become a prison chaplain, just like her parents and grandparents.
“My grandparents visited inside and led chapel services on a regular basis. My grandparents on both sides were Salvation Army officers and they cared for those inside as well as those doing it tough on the outside,” Wendy said.
“Some of my earliest memories are of waiting outside the old Boggo Road jail for my mother and father to finish chapel services on a Sunday. I do believe that my parents’ modelling of caring for all people and many other things played a large part in my journey.
“However, the Lord had a plan for me personally: a plan that took me in a number of directions collecting some necessary tools along the way before walking me through the doors of a prison.”
Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy volunteer chaplains such as Wendy have a positive impact on people in Queensland correctional centres.
“Making meaningful connections with prisoners and sharing God’s word is definitely what I enjoy the most,” Wendy explains.
“One moment would be the privilege of witnessing one of the seemingly toughest women come to faith and then being thrown into the solitary confinement detention unit for something she hadn’t done.
“Prior to her conversion, this would have been enough to see her cause all sorts of trouble. However, When I visited, she was all smiles and sure the Lord had organised it so that she would have time alone to study her bible and pray.
“The prison staff were absolutely amazed at her transformation.”
Wendy encouraged people of Christian faith who “have a genuine heart for offenders” to consider becoming a volunteer prison chaplain.
“If you think this may be where God is leading you, please reach out and have the conversations. We really need God’s people on the inside,” she said.
Anyone interested in volunteering with Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy can find more information on our website.
You can also partner with Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy to ensure our dedicated chaplains can continue to be available for people facing dark times ‘inside’. Please donate online at carinity.org.au/donations.