program faculty
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Mark Thompson, PhD
Director of the Arkansas Prison Initiative, Assistant Professor of Church History, Missions and Theology
Email: mthompson@mabts.edu
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Daniel Jones, PhD
Director of the Colorado Prison Initiative; Assistant Professor of Theology, Old Testament and Hebrew, New Testament and Greek
Email: djones@mabts.edu
Academic Programs in Prisons Are Right on Mission for Mid-America
Mid-America is widely known for its mission to equip biblical leaders and encourage evangelism, Our Prison Initiatives accomplish both objectives in an innovative new program that is growing and poised to expand even more.
Launching a program in Arkansas in 2019, Mid-America is now beginning its second prison ministry, establishing an accredited degree program at the Limon Correctional Facility in Limon, Colorado.
The Prison Seminaries Foundation contacted Mid-America about establishing seminary education within state prison systems to promote moral rehabilitation. As a result, Mid-America began offering an accredited Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies program at the Varner Supermax Unit in Varner, Arkansas, which is overseen by Dr. Mark Thompson. The new Colorado program will be led by Dr. Daniel Jones.
Inmates who participate receive an education tailored to equip them to minister to other inmates. As Mid-America students, the exact academic expectations and moral standards of Mid-America apply. Upon graduation, the department of corrections invites eligible inmates to participate as field ministers in the prison system. Tasked with various assignments, the department of corrections uses these field ministers to help promote moral rehabilitation within the prison they serve.
Inmate students learn to communicate biblical truth with conviction, be missional and evangelistic, make disciples, promote a peaceful community, serve others, and lead by example. Inside a spiritually dark and violent place, Mid-America’s inmate student body demonstrates Mid-America’s core values in the general population as they share the Good News of Jesus Christ among their peers.
In these prison settings, we inquire of inmates interested in our initiative, “Are you ready to answer the call of God to impact the prison system for Jesus’ sake?” Similarly, we ask you…Are you ready to answer God’s call to become a Mid-America student or support Mid-America’s ministry as a donor? If so, prayerfully consider applying or giving today.
Discover more about giving to programs like Mid-America’s Prison Initiatives and the many other ways we are equipping biblical leaders.