2025 RECAP- GRACE IT UP

On Thursday, December 18th, the Grace It Up (GIU) ministry team brought an abundance of holiday spirit, food, and the powerful message of Christmas hope to the residents and staff of Wilkes Correctional Center in Wilkesboro, NC! Despite the wet and cloudy weather outside, spirits were incredibly bright, making for a truly memorable day of service.

The day kicked off with an incredible partnership! Danny Teague arrived at the Wilkes Chick-fil-A, where the team was absolutely enthusiastic and grateful to be a part of the mission to serve our brothers behind bars. Danny loaded up 300 delicious hot sandwiches into warming bags and drove them straight to the correctional center on Statesville Road.

There, he met up with volunteers George Sowersby, Joseph Collins, Chuck Neely, and Dr. CD Osborne, who arrived with the rest of the feast: bags of chips, Oreo cookies, and bottled water. Together, the team brought the food inside the gates. The kitchen manager and a group of residents immediately jumped in to help, efficiently bagging the meals for the entire population. This partnership provided the undisputed BEST chicken sandwich in the world as a complimentary gift from their Christian brothers and sisters.

Later that evening, seven of us returned to the chapel for a powerful service attended by right at 40 residents. Many of the men expressed heartfelt gratitude for the hot meals and the fellowship provided earlier in the day.

• Worship: Our good friend, Chaplain Larry Ford, welcomed us as the Christmas spirit filled the room! The GIU worship team—John Barker, Mike Pern, and Chris Johnson—led the group in joyful Christmas songs that had everyone singing along.
• Testimonials: We were moved by the brief, inspiring testimonials shared by volunteers George Sowersby and Joseph Collins, who spoke about the transformative power of faith.
• The Message: We were privileged to hear from Dr. CD Osborne, a former All-American football and track star at Wake Forest University. He delivered a tremendous and powerful message that was warmly received by every man in the room.
• Fellowship & Prayer: After a moment of prayer and an invitation to rededicate lives to Jesus, we all joined in a beautiful rendition of "Silent Night." As the men left with smiles on their faces, GIU volunteers handed each one a Grace Bag filled with snacks and encouraging scripture.

We at GIU are all overwhelmingly grateful to Warden Duncan, Programs Director Mrs. Sloan, Chaplain Larry Ford, and the entire Wilkes Correctional Staff for the tremendous support and cooperation that made this day such a successful blessing. It was a true joy to share the life-changing hope of Jesus Christ at Wilkes Correctional, and we look forward to serving together again! 

On Thursday, December 11th, the Grace It Up (GIU) team witnessed the power of hope in action as we visited the Caldwell Correctional Center in Hudson, North Carolina. It was a day defined by simple acts of kindness, powerful worship, and the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit.

The mission kicked off as eight GIU volunteers arrived at the facility carrying a special delivery: 400 hot Chick-fil-A sandwiches, along with chips, cookies, and bottled water for every resident and staff member.

As we prepared the items in the cafeteria, the residents lined up single file to enter. Our volunteers stood ready, not just to hand out food, but to offer a genuine smile and a word of encouragement to every man who walked through the door. Along with their hot meal, each resident received a Grace Bag—a small package filled with essentials and reminders of God's love. It was a truly wonderful time of fellowship, proving that a hot meal and a kind spirit can break down even the toughest walls.

The impact of the day didn't end with lunch. Later that evening, nine of our team members went back inside the gates, heading to the chapel area for a specialized service. We were joined by over 50 Caldwell residents who were hungry for more than just physical food.

The atmosphere was electric as the Caldwell Correctional Choir and Band led us in powerful worship songs. Seeing everyone participate in praise together was a beautiful reminder that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Following the music, our volunteers shared moving testimonials of how God has moved in their own lives, leading into a tremendous and heart-stirring message delivered by CD Osborne.

The service concluded with a powerful altar call. Many men came forward to accept Jesus as their Savior or to receive personal prayer from our volunteers. As the residents left the chapel—each with another Grace Bag in hand—the smiles on their faces and the peace in the room made it clear that the Holy Spirit had filled our hearts.

We are overwhelmed with thankfulness for the people who made this day possible. We want to extend a huge thank you to:

• Warden Nichols and Assistant Warden Mills for their leadership.
• Program Director MRs. Kephart and the entire Caldwell staff for their incredible enthusiasm, support, and cooperation.
• Chaplain Randy Green and his wife Mitzi, who are a special blessing to us every time we visit. We truly love and support the vital work they do every day!

We left Caldwell Correctional feeling blessed and inspired, and we are already counting down the days until we can return in 2026 to feed both the body and the soul once again!

What an incredible day! On Friday, September 12th, the Grace It Up (GIU) team, a powerhouse of 15 passionate volunteers, descended upon Gaston Correctional, ready to serve our brothers with boundless energy and a ton of heart! We arrived at 8:15 a.m., and the excitement was electric! As the barbecue sizzled, the team worked like a well-oiled machine, setting up tables and tents, making sure every detail was perfect for the residents' arrival.

The magic truly began at 11:30 a.m. as the residents poured in! GIU's own Chuck Neely kicked things off with a high-energy welcome, setting a fantastic tone for the day. Then, the amazing Shane Davis from our church sponsor, City Church, took the mic and had everyone buzzing with inspiring trivia and positive vibes! Residents were treated to a delicious feast of freshly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, all served with a smile and a side of chips, cookies, and refreshing lemonade. We were so happy to have enough food for everyone to get seconds, ensuring every single person left with a full stomach and a big smile!

The atmosphere was filled with powerful, life-changing stories! Formerly incarcerated individuals like Sarah, Matt, James, Noel, Joseph, Keith, and Kathleen bravely shared their journeys of hope and transformation through Christ. Pastor Steve Black, also from City Church, delivered a powerful message that culminated in an inspiring altar call, where young men had the opportunity to change their lives forever!

The day concluded with an outpouring of connection and kindness! Our volunteers spread out, offering one-on-one prayer and heartfelt conversations with the residents. Each inmate left with a special "Grace Bag" packed with goodies, a scripture cookie, and a card to start a Bible correspondence course with our friends at Prison Alliance. The joy on the faces of our volunteers was radiant as we cleaned up, feeling so fulfilled and grateful. We're also very pleased thatl for George from JumpStart and Jan from Kairos Outside shared about their organization's mission to serve  our friends inside the walls.A huge, heartfelt thank you to Warden Poteat, Program Director Mr. Cook, and the entire Gaston Correctional staff for their incredible partnership and support! We were truly blessed to have the opportunity to bring love and light to our brothers.

 GIU Day #12: Grace is Available at Foothills Correctional

On Friday, August 15, 2025, a team of 13 dedicated volunteers from the Grace It Up ministry gathered at the front gate of Foothills Correctional Center in Morganton, North Carolina. It was a comfortable morning filled with excitement as the team prepared to share the love of Jesus and their personal journeys with the incarcerated youth. The program's title, "Grace is Available," was a powerful theme throughout the day.

With Christian rap and contemporary music videos setting the tone as the residents entered the room, we connected with 17 youth. We set up tables with four youth and two volunteers at each, creating a safe and intimate setting for conversation. After a warm welcome, we broke the ice with a lively game of bingo, which quickly built bonds between the volunteers and the youth.

The heart of the day was a series of powerful testimonials and talks. We were honored to have seven formerly incarcerated men share their stories, including two who had served time in that very facility less than 10 years ago. Their willingness to be vulnerable and open resonated deeply with the residents, as they shared about their pasts ranging from murder to selling drugs that caused people to overdose and die. Interspersed with these testimonials were talks on the existence of God, our universal need for a Savior, the forgiveness that only Jesus offers, and the practical next steps of a new life. The Prodigal Son parable was also mentioned, and a contemporary video of the story was shown to the youth.

Following the talks, each table entered into small group discussions where residents and volunteers were encouraged to talk honestly about accepting responsibility and embracing the hope that Jesus offers, regardless of their circumstances. The day concluded with an altar call led by Pastor Brent Stine. One young man committed his life to Christ, while several others came forward to rededicate their lives or ask for prayer and more information about getting to know Jesus.

Delicious hot Chick-fil-A biscuits were served for breakfast, and Domino’s Pizza was served for lunch to refuel everyone. Each resident also received a Grace Bag as they left for the day. We left the facility with smiles on our faces and hearts full of the peace and joy that only Jesus provides. We are already filled with anticipation to return and continue loving our brothers soon.

We are incredibly grateful to Chaplain Gary Lambert, Mrs. Kizer, and the entire Foothills Correctional staff for allowing us the privilege of serving these youth. All glory to our Savior Jesus Christ!

Despite a cloudy sky and the threat of rain, over 30 volunteers gathered at Catawba Correctional in Newton on Friday, May 30, for a special cookout hosted by Grace It Up Prison Ministry. This event, aptly named "Grill and Grace," was made possible through a wonderful partnership with Christ Church. To beat the weather, the festivities kicked off 45 minutes early at 11:45 AM, serving over 300 residents and staff. Two large grills were brought in and set up just outside the gates, aiming to replicate the warm, inviting atmosphere of a home cookout as they cooked hamburgers, hotdogs, and grilled corn fresh for everyone.
Attendees enjoyed a hearty meal of hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled corn, potato chips, a cookie, and watermelon, complemented by fruit punch or lemonade. Residents found seats on the outdoor basketball court, where they dined to the inspiring sounds of the Christ Church worship team playing contemporary Christian music.
Between songs, Buzz, Terri, and Diane shared powerful testimonials about how their lives were transformed by Jesus during their incarceration and their continued success on the outside. The volunteers also presented a contemporary skit of the Prodigal Son, illustrating God's unconditional love and acceptance.
Matt, Jason and James from Christ Church delivered impactful speeches, recounting their personal journeys and how their time behind bars reshaped their relationship with faith, highlighting their struggles and subsequent triumphs. Pastor Brent Stine of Christ Church concluded the ceremony with a moving message, emphasizing that it's never too late to accept Jesus, drawing parallels to the thief on the cross who found salvation in his final moments.
As residents departed, they received a "Grace Bag” filled with snacks and "Grace Cards" featuring inspiring Bible verses and simple prayers. A special thanks is extended to the entire Catawba Correctional administration and staff for their outstanding support and cooperation, with Grace It Up Prison Ministry eagerly anticipating their next visit!! 

Hear Her Story: Continued Power and Hope at Anson Women's Correctional - Day Two

The second day at Anson Women's Correctional proved to be just as profoundly impactful! On Wednesday, April 16, starting again at 6:30 AM, with the same welcoming setup and heartfelt services, a dedicated team of about 25 Grace It Up volunteers gathered to serve over 800 residents and staff.  A thoughtful assortment awaited each resident upon entering the gymnasium: a hot Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit or sandwich, a bag of Lay's potato chips, two Grandma's Chocolate Chip cookies, a bottle of water, and a water enhancer. 

Just as the day before, Sam and John kicked off each service with vibrant worship music, setting a powerful and unifying tone. As the residents continued to arrive, volunteers formed welcoming lines at the gymnasium entrances, greeting each woman with enthusiastic "thanks for coming," fist bumps, and handshakes, creating an immediate sense of value and connection.

The morning then unfolded with deeply resonating testimonials from women who understood brokenness firsthand. Becky shared her powerful story of how Jesus had redirected her life after many wrong turns. Sara spoke with heartfelt gratitude for Jesus's saving grace that had delivered her from past mistakes. And Tylie, a certified pastor at the young age of 21, shared her inspiring determination to share the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with others.

Setting the stage for the featured speakers, Pastor Leah Lewis once again delivered an inspirational message on the unique and unwavering love that only Jesus offers – unconditional love. The featured speakers for the day then shared their compelling stories. Terri recounted her 17-year battle with heroin addiction and how incarceration ultimately led her to a life transformed by Jesus. Now a grandmother with a loving family and meaningful employment, her story was a testament to radical change. Towanda bravely shared her journey of enduring the trauma of being raped by a family member at a young age and navigating a chaotic upbringing, emphasizing how Jesus had been her constant strength through it all.

Once again, Pastor Deon Lewis extended a powerful altar call, and the response was overwhelming. More than half of the residents came forward, with as many as 40 women surrounding Pastor Deon as he ministered in prayer. Simultaneously, GIU volunteers fanned out across the gymnasium, offering one-on-one and small group prayer opportunities to those seeking connection and support. As each resident departed, they received a tangible reminder of the day's message – a Grace Bag.

What an AMAZING day it was to witness the Holy Spirit at work in such a powerful way! The tangible presence of God's love and the deep hunger for connection among the residents were truly awe-inspiring. It was an incredible privilege for every volunteer to be a part of this team, sharing the life-changing love of Jesus Christ.