Out of all the years of being in active addiction in and out of the Polk County Jail there were always two specific people I could count on – Chaplain Jerry and Rich Thomson. Everyone serving in the Polk County Jail Ministry always had their way of making me feel better about the situations I was in. If it was a prayer or making a special stop to the unit I was on for a weekly conversation, they really know how to make your day better. Waking up on Sundays and watching Jerry’s sermons also helped me escape the stress from being in jail.
I’ve been in recovery for almost five years now. Unfortunately, I’ve had some setbacks in those five years, but for my life as a whole, I have five years in recovery. I am truly blessed. Today I have completely given my life to God. I’m very active in my home church that I also get the privilege of crossing paths with Jerry on Sundays and an occasional weekday. I am in the word every day. I am free from addiction. My mental health is better than it’s ever been. I have a beautiful wife and three kids. I’m a mentor, and I have a job that I love. God has worked so many miracles in my life.
The best part for me about the Polk County Jail Ministry is that they’re not just there for you while you’re in jail. There are plenty of opportunities to reach out and connect with them when you get out as well. Rich Thomson still to this day sends me a daily Bible verse, and he will never understand how much that means to me. Every Sunday I can always look down the row and see Chaplain Jerry waving at us. Thank you to all who serve in the Polk County Jail Ministry.