Welcome to our volunteer testimonial page! Here, you’ll discover inspiring stories from those who have dedicated their time to serve and witness the transformative power of faith in action. Each testimony reflects the unique ways God has worked through their service, bringing hope, healing, and purpose to others—and to themselves. Be encouraged as you read about their journeys and the incredible impact of their commitment.
Serving in prison ministry was a true blessing for 15 years; you think you will bless inmates but you get the blessing: teaching bible study, visiting inmates or delivering gifts to inmates’ children through Angel Tree. Taking turns with other servants teaching a bible study, mainly in Middlesex County jail; from several women up to 40 in attendance! Lastly, years ago I regularly visited inmates (Phillip Reardon included), in Trenton & Rahway State Prisons as well as visitation of one woman in the women’s state prison in Annandale NJ.
Olga Sawuk
Prison and County Jail/Angel Tree
It has been our joy to serve with OFPL as board members and visiting with our youth group and then ourselves at Trenton State and Rahway through the years. We have participated in Angel tree and were blessed to do several deliveries on behalf of incarcerated dads.
I, Pat, taught Bible study along with Debbie at Freehold County Jail. Our greatest blessing is to have true relationships with our brothers who though behind bars, were growing in Christ. They became our friends and encouraged us as many times as we tried to encourage them.
Tim & Patricia Bowditch
Monmouth County Jail / Trenton / Rahway State Prison /Angel Tree
While I have served OFPLM in various ways over the years, it’s only because this ministry first served me. Debbie introduced me to Jesus at a very dark time in my life and then poured into me for years. I’ll be forever grateful!!
Susan
Middlesex County Jail ex-inmate
I corresponded with prisoners. Sent birthday/ holiday/ Christmas cards to prison inmates for about 10 years. I was blessed to see lives changed as only the God’s holy word can change them. What a beautiful proof that the Bible is truly God’s word and not man’s.
Mary
Helped OFPLM Prison Ministry with Correspondence
The Lord has truly blessed me since the beginning of my serving in the OFPLM prison ministry about 28 years ago. In my visits which were most often with Carlos at Trenton State Prison, we encouraged each other in our faith and trust in the Lord, and corresponded through the mail with updates and prayers. Several times I went with Debbie to visit an inmate’s family
for encouragement or to bring Angel Tree Gifts.
Gail Corti
Visited : Trenton / Rahway prisons / Angel Tree and Correspondence
The prison ministry continues to be a blessing to me. I have visited Mustapha several times in 2024, and plan to continue. God is so good — introducing me to these men who love Him and His Word and often know more about the Word than I do! I have learned so much from my brothers-in-Christ. Sharing life with men who have fallen but know without a doubt about the forgiveness and mercy and love of our King has been a literal Godsend for me.
Bill
Visited at Rahway State Prison and Angel Tree
For 20 years I co-taught the Christian Discipleship class Bible study that Bro. Philip organized in NJ State Prison in 1997. What a great blessing it has been to minister with a “master discipler” in discipling new believers, many if whom he led to the Lord
Clem Berard
Bible Study at Trenton State Prison
We have served together for 25 years as part of the OFPLM “Angel Tree” Ministry (both purchasing and delivering gifts) and the Prison Visitation Ministry and, in 2019, were officially installed as OFPLM Executive Board members.
Throughout the years of serving in the OFPLM work, first at Trenton State Prison and then at East Jersey State Prison (Rahway), we have been privileged and blessed to minister to several brothers in Christ and also their families. We also maintain a close relationship with one of our brothers in Christ in Rahway via e-mail correspondence.
We initially sensed the Spirit calling us to “visit those in prison” to have fellowship with
the men and to bless and encourage them in the Lord. We didn’t expect to be so amazingly blessed ourselves through the interaction with these men and their families and through the impact they’ve had on us personally. It has been especially moving to hear how our brothers in Christ daily live out their faith in an extremely difficult and challenging environment inside the prison walls. “To God be the Glory for the Glory for the things HE has done!”
Wes and Chris Whalen
OFPLM Executive Board members
Over the last 6 or 7 years I have been our church’s coordinator for Angel tree. I call the parent/guardian of the prisoner’s children to see what the child would like for Christmas and find out how the card should be signed and give out the information for those buying gifts as well as mail out the gifts and verify that they were received. (Our church has out-of state families.) This has been such a blessing to me since we usually have the same families. Merry Christmas.
Janet Emma
Angel Tree Church’s Coordinator
