F.E.L.O.N.
Inside Whitworth Women’s Facility and Metro Transitional Center, something remarkable is happening. Women who once wondered what their future could possibly hold are earning college degrees, studying Scripture, and training to become Christian leaders.
This isn't simply a college program. It's a second chance.
Since 2018, HeartBound Ministries has partnered with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and now Truett McConnell University to provide an accredited Christian Studies degree program for incarcerated women at Whitworth Women’s Facility in Hartwell, Georgia. Fully funded by HeartBound, the program is changing far more than transcripts and résumés. It is changing lives and the ripple effects are reaching far beyond the prison walls.
One student’s written testimony shows just how powerful that transformation can be…
I was sitting in the county jail awaiting prison. I was trying to envision my future. It looked very dark and I could see no possible good. The reality of my situation was taking root in my mind. I was now a felon. I was seeing myself the way I perceived I would be viewed by others, as a F-E-L-O-N.
The F stood for: failure, faulty, fool, foul.
The E for: embarrassment, empty, exile, evil.
The L: liar, lame, let down, loser.
The O: outcast, odd, oppressed, and offensive.
The N: no good, nothing, negative, now nameless-nothing but a number.
I hit my knees and I cried out to God. I heard His voice so clearly in my mind. He said, “That’s not who you are. You may be a felon, but you belong to Me.”
“The F stands for: favored and fearfully and wonderfully made, for forgiven, and the faithful love I have for you, my fabulous daughter.
The E is for the everlasting love I have for you, and for how I am going to elevate and use you to encourage others and exalt My name.
The L: for loved and light. It's for life eternal through my gift to you, My Son Jesus Christ.
The O is for overcomer, opal, and the onward journey I have prepared for you, and
The N is for the new creation in Christ that you are. A noble woman of God who is loved with a never-ending love. My daughter Michelle.”
I chose that day which felon I would be.
Which felon do you choose?
The choice is yours. Choose Jesus. Choose life.
Your generosity is doing more than putting college degrees into the hands of incarcerated women. It gives them hope, purpose, and a new future. Thank you for believing in the power of education, faith, and redemption. This program ripples through prison communities, families, and generations yet to come. We are so grateful that you are part of that ripple.
With gratitude,
Andrea Shelton