Meet the Staff:
Glen Fairweather
Ian Townsend
Richard Boonstra
Paul Hutchinson
Steve McKinnon
Cameron Brett
Meet the Board:
Prison Fellowship is governed by a National Board, comprised of members from each State and Territory. Our Board members are volunteers who bring their experience and skills from the legal, business, human resource, finance, social services and government sectors.
We asked each of them why they love Prison Fellowship:
Peter Hall
I love Prison Fellowship because it brings heaven the great joy Jesus spoke of in Luke 15:7.. "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Michael Wood
Nothing lifts my spirits more than the opportunity to share God’s love with others in prison. This is inexplicable to most people, but God has placed in my heart a love for those in prison. I felt this from the very first time that I went inside, to debate against the Spartans Debating Club here at Risdon Prison (TAS) almost 25 years ago. I feel it still, as strongly as ever!
Andrew Baxter
My involvement in PF is modelled off every story of Jesus’ interaction with others as accounted in the Gospels. His preferential love for, and treatment of the poor and the minority, is evident in each and every word He spoke. But what about the interactions that were not recorded? Who was Jesus when the crowds were not present, the scribes no longer recording, when He ministered and restored one on one to those unworthy and unwelcome? The Apostle Paul was a terrorist. He terrorised, tortured and imprisoned Gods people. But then He met Jesus and one of the results is... a former terrorist wrote half of the New Testament! It is up to us to reveal Jesus to everyone we come into contact with. My joy comes from coming into contact with those who others fear, discard, devalue and dislike.
Ruth McCrindle
Prison Fellowship reaches those people in our society who are the most marginalised and forgotten. Yet no one is forgotten by God or beyond the reach of the power of the Gospel to transform their life. I love that Prison Fellowship works in this space, transforming lives through Jesus!!
David Cormack
I love Prison Fellowship because of its focus on broken people, including myself, to have hope, a way forward, and reconciliation with God and our fellow human beings. Prison Fellowship to my mind, uniquely utilises people of the same faith across varied denominations to minister to those affected by crime, including children, friends, families, crime survivors and offenders. Prison Fellowship walks where few go, and lifts up the broken-hearted, offering peace and healing. Through all this, I see justice at work, flowing like a river. I see natural enemies finding commonality, and for some there is restoration; in others, hearts are healed, and overall communities are made safer.
Derrick Toh
I love Prison Fellowship as a ministry because it has a simple focus, to share the good news of our Father’s unconditional and extravagant love with those who have been condemned. I love Prison Fellowship as an organisation because the staff and volunteers are all one in reflecting the heart of the mission, and are able to deliver it effectively with passion and professionalism. I love Prison Fellowship for the lasting impact it is bringing to society, turning brokenness into wholeness, bringing hope from despair, and life where there was none.
David Berry
I love Prison Fellowship because it has a real way of connecting with prisoners and showing them there is an alternative way of living. It also supports people affected by crime including survivors, families and children.
Melissa Binks
Prison Fellowship connects with my heart because it truly focuses on reaching out and sharing God‘s love through relationship with those on the fringes of society. This is our Father’s heart in sending his son to close the gap so we could have an eternal relationship with Him. All of us are broken and need love and kindness, perhaps even more so those who have been left to believe there is no love for them. God’s very essence is love; when we love one another, we are fulfilling God’s most fundamental wish for our lives.
Tony Pisano
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