About Us
About Us
Embedded Files
History
New Mercies Reentry Network exists because there was a gap in Augusta county between the tremendous life changing event of criminal conviction and re-integrating into society. Folks returning to their community found that a lot of doors were closed to them. In particular concern to us, probationary rules prevented many of our members from finding a new church home, and indeed, church communities actively rejected others because of their past actions.
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The Bible tells us that we as living stones are the substance of God's people (1 Peter 2:5). God's people cannot be confined to a building, just as God cannot be confined to a building; it is a people that God has called and set apart to transform into His image (2 Cor 3:18). Being thrown out of the established religious spaces never stopped the Apostle Paul from going out to spread the Gospel, or from building new communities in private homes or public spaces. So the original steering committee members, those concerned with re-entry programs who saw this need and wanted to call in the rejected, met in a garage out in Middlebrook and formed the first New Mercies meeting.
Now several years later, we have become more established, growing to 40+ members including ordained ministers, re-entry activists, ex-inmates years distant from their incarceration, and people just out of prison, still looking to put their lives together. We meet consistently three times a month on Thursday nights in non-church settings so that all who want to may attend.
Testimonies
Testimonies
I was apprehensive before coming to my first meeting. But when I realized that I couldn't tell which people were the ex-felons and which were not, I realized that I had been holding on to a lot of resentment and judgment. Truely, all are made new by knowing Jesus.
We'd love for you to read these testimonies so that you can get to know our program better and hear how New Mercies has positively affected people:
PB:
PB:
"Soon after being released from prison, I started attending New Mercies. I have found the people unashamedly welcoming to everyone who walks through the doors. I have seen the kind of selflessness, generosity, activism, forgiveness, and acceptance in these people that many Churches preach, but few deliver. Though it started as just the Christian group I was allowed to attend as a newly released ex-prisoner, these people quickly became like extended family to me. I am so grateful for these people."
SR:
SR:
"When my son got in trouble and was sentenced to jail a few years ago, I felt abandoned. New Mercies accepted an embraced me from the first meeting. New Mercies is about fellowship to me: coming together with a community of people who are seeking Jesus."
SB:
SB:
"When we moved to Virginia, we needed a caring Christian community, especially because our son was getting out after 11 years of prison. Despite the “All Are Welcome” signs at many churches, we knew that most would treat us like lepers due to his criminal record. A friend told us about New Mercies, and right away, we felt accepted, loved, and understood like nowhere else. When our son was released, they welcomed him with open arms. It's a community where everyone supports each other’s growth in Christ; living out Jesus’s gospel of love and reconciliation for both ex-offenders and their supporters."
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