Providing Hope for Offenders in Tough Economic Times

An Interview with Pastor Warren Schmalzer

Pastor Warren Schmalzer has served as an IFI volunteer and Bible studies leader in Minnesota for three years. During this time, God impressed upon him the importance of employment for those preparing to leave prison.  Lazarus Auto Detailing was started in response to that need. Lazarus has hired nearly 50 graduates of the IFI Program at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility in Minnesota and the Minnesota Teen Challenge Program for Adults.

Jeff Lundqust/IFI Reentry: Pastor Warren, tell us more about Lazarus Auto Detailing. What kind of work does it entail? Are there other companies involved? How did this all come together?

Pastor Warren: The Lord is 100 percent responsible for the vision. He placed it on my heart to begin a Ministry named “Room4U Ministries Inc.”  Room4U Ministries is the corporate umbrella over the ministry. I did nothing with it for approximately four years, but seeing repeat offenders returning to Lino—and not finding employment was part of the problem—the chhurch Board and I decided that I should step down from my ministries at the church and begin a ministry to provide employment for IFI graduates. As I continued to lead the Bible studies, I reminded the men that upon release they could contact me through my church when looking for both work and/or ongoing support. Cars have always been a hobby of mine, and one of our Board members is the corporate trainer for one of the largest dealerships in the upper Midwest.  So it was almost a natural for us to begin an auto detailing ministry in which we contract with the various dealers, under this dealership, and clean and prepare their used/trade in cars for the used car sale lot. Currently there are no other companies involved.  However, we are looking at the possibility of making housing available as well.

Jeff: As I understand, Lazarus Auto Detailing is much more than simply providing a job for an offender. In today’s economy what you are providing is incredibly helpful, but there are added benefits that you provide for these men in addition to employment. Would you please comment on that?

Pastor Warren: We do want to offer more than work. Knowing the daily support they were part of while in IFI, we wanted to offer Bible studies every Wednesday morning, which are required and built into their workday as a means to offer spiritual support during the 9-12 months while they are with us. Lazarus does not offer long term employment, but instead seeks to help prepare each man for his next step in securing something more permanent. So, in addition to the spiritual support, we also offer practical support by putting each man, after working nine months, into a Life Skills Assessment survey, where he begins to identify his strengths for the job market. Then begins the training of how he can prepare and enter the job market best suited for the individual. Having completed the training, we attempt to place them with an employer for employment. To date, seven men have entered into the work force.

Jeff: Approximately how many men have come through Lazarus? Can you give us a couple of stories that have been meaningful to you?

Pastor Warren:  I would estimate 40-50.  However not all of these are a story of success. There are a few who do stand out. Dan became an auto parts driver for a car dealership after he left our program. Nick was able to return to his previous employer as a landscaper. Dave was able to get his previous job back as a carpenter. And there are several other stories of men moving onto hired paid positions.

Robert stands out as one of the more meaningful stories. He was so angry when he first came to us. Robert had been down for 16 years and had never had a job prior to prison, which includes how to work with other employees and taking direction from a manager/supervisor. But I saw how God began to work a change in Robert to reduce his anger. He began to take pride in his work, that he could work an eight hour day and look back and see his progress, and that working under authority was not a “bad,” but a necessary thing.

Jeff: You have now retired, and have left the company in the hands of Steve Farrell. Will the vision and direction for this company continue? Do you see any changes?

Pastor Warren:  Steve and the current board members are all deeply committed to this ministry.  I see nothing but great things the Lord will continue to do at Room4U Ministries and Lazarus Auto Detailing as long as we continue to be committed to Him.

I’m sure there will be continued enhancements and new ways to improve the ministry of Bible training, character development, accountability, providing jobs, housing and community involvement, et cetera. The most important item is their spiritual walk and development with the Lord Jesus Christ, and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct them and not their own thoughts and desires.  This will not only develop them as a man and a believer in the Lord, but will also make them a better fisher of men for Christ.

Jeff: Warren, your dream and the following through of this dream has provided so much hope to offenders who face so many challenges upon their release, and I know because I have witnessed the “gratefulness” in the workplace during the times I have visited Lazarus. Thank you so much for all that you, Steve, and the others have done to reach out to those for whom Jesus tells us not to forget.