Rags, Riches, and Reaching Out
Rags, Riches, and Reaching Out
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Dallen Peterson, a Prison Fellowship board member and the business entrepreneur who founded Merry Maids, has been involved in prison ministry since 1974. In his autobiographical book Rags, Riches, and Real Success, Peterson discusses the balance necessary to run a successful business and maintain a solid ministry. Jubilee Extra asked him to share his advice and experience in bringing the love of Jesus Christ to those behind bars.
JUBILEE EXTRA: The incarceration of a family friend led you into prison ministry. What made you stay?
PETERSON: I ended up befriending all the inmates. I felt compelled to spend more time with them. And there was nothing spiritual going on in the prison at the time. My wife, Glennis, and I had been involved in youth ministry, and the inmates were all young as well. But for the grace of God, they could have been my own kids.
JUBILEE EXTRA: You have led prison Bible studies. You have overseen the mentoring of ex-prisoners. You have challenged your church in their prison ministry, even having a half-way house for a while. There must have been times of discouragement. How did you deal with that?
PETERSON: We had support from our church pastors. The congregation for the most part was very supportive. There were 20 to 25 couples visiting and communicating with prisoners. We started matching inmates with couples. It was difficult when inmates got out of prison. Most needed a structured life outside. We learned a lot; we trusted inmates sometimes more than they had earned. I remember co-signing loans for some vehicles and getting stuck. You just don’t change overnight, even as a Christian. But I was never so disappointed I felt like quitting. The blessing far outweighed the disappointment.
JUBILEE EXTRA: How did you manage to juggle your business, your family, and your prison ministry?
PETERSON: Glennis was very supportive. We had five children and took in additional “family” members, so juggling had kind of been our life before we took an active role in prison ministry. We probably wouldn’t be able to do it all today; I was younger and had more energy. There wasn’t much free time. We had to have a lot of discipline. But we were so blessed by the inmates—seeing them grow and mature and become responsible citizens on the outside.
JUBILEE EXTRA: Why do you believe so strongly in the ministry of PF?
PETERSON: Scripture is very clear on the call [to minister to prisoners]. Until the human heart is changed, crime is not going to change. I think Christian ministry is the only thing that’s going to work. I’ve seen hundreds of men’s lives changed. Many times they would have been a lost cause without the support of church volunteers. It was a tough ministry, particularly aftercare. It became a very demanding ministry.
JUBILEE EXTRA: What advice would you give people contemplating volunteering for prison ministry?
PETERSON: Pray to make sure they’re willing to make the commitment. They must be called; there is a real time commitment. And it’s not all glamorous. But for me there is no greater blessing.
