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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry

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Grand Rapids, MI
Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry

Bringing the Good News to the Forgotten. Providing hope and salvation in Michigan county jails.
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Founded in 1966 to be the hand of the Lord in 34 MI county jails by providing chaplains, a comprehensive spiritual program, and enlisting the strength of an army of over 2,000 volunteers to reach the incarcerated. Our hope and prayer would be that every departing inmate starts a new life that honors our Savior, Jesus Christ and never returns to jail. We have a long journey and much work to do but

with God as our leader and your support, we will make great strides. Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry is a 501c3 organization, meaning that all donations are tax-deductible.

06/21/2026

Another Father’s Day is upon us, and it has me reflecting on the many stories fathers carry. Some are filled with joy and gratitude. Others hold pain, loss, regret, and missed opportunities. Every father’s story matters.

As I read Father’s Day articles celebrating dads, I noticed something missing: the fathers behind bars. Men whose relationships with their children have been disrupted by incarceration. Men who may spend this day carrying guilt, regret, and longing for restoration.

These are father stories too. And they are worthy of our prayers.
Psalm 103:13 reminds us, “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.”

This Father’s Day, may every dad, wherever he is, know the compassionate love of his Heavenly Father. May hope overcome despair. May the forgotten be remembered. And may we pray for all fathers, especially those still waiting for healing, restoration, and peace.

Written by Rick Eschenburg, Director of Mission Advancement at RTF

06/19/2026

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:3

Every organization experiences challenges, differences of opinion, and difficult conversations. The goal isn't to avoid them; it's to learn how to navigate them faithfully.
This year, our team has continued learning how to approach disagreements with humility, curiosity, and a desire to understand one another.

When we handle conflict well, trust grows. Relationships deepen. And our ministry becomes stronger.

We're thankful for the guidance and resources provided by The Colossian Forum as we continue to pursue healthy, Christ-centered ways of engaging with one another.

06/18/2026

For 60 years, God has been faithful.

What began in one Michigan county has grown into a ministry serving 33 counties across the state, bringing Christ-centered hope and healing to incarcerated individuals and their families.

The roots of Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry have always been the same: Christ, prayer, faithful churches, volunteers, chaplains, donors, and ministry partners who have trusted God through every season.

As we close out our fiscal year, we praise God that there is no financial gap to fill. Because of faithful supporters like you, we are entering a new year from a position of strength and gratitude.

Will you help us begin the next chapter strong? Your gift today helps ensure we are ready to continue serving every county where God has called us.

For sixty years, God has been faithful. And because of faithful partners like you, the story is still growing. 🌳

Give today: https://jailministry.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donations

Learn more about RTF: https://jailministry.org/

06/16/2026

Last month, we were thrilled to host fundraising banquets in both Newaygo County and Osceola County for the first time since 2018! 🙌

These evenings gave us the opportunity to reconnect with longtime supporters, welcome new faces, and share stories of the lives being impacted through jail ministry in each community.

We are grateful to see these events return and excited to watch how God continues to grow and strengthen these ministries. Thank you to everyone who joined us, we are so thankful for your support! 🙏❤️

06/14/2026

More highlights from our Spring Banquet season – this time from Bay County!

We are thankful for every opportunity to gather with supporters, share stories of God's work inside our county jails, and celebrate 60 years of ministry through Reach the Forgotten.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. ❤️

06/10/2026

Sharing a few more of our favorite moments from last month’s fundraising and worship events in Montcalm County and Livingston County! 📸

We are so grateful for opportunities like these to gather with supporters, churches, volunteers, chaplains, and community members to celebrate what God is doing through Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry.

As we celebrate 60 years of ministry, we continue to be thankful for the communities that come together to witness and support the work God is doing in these places.

06/08/2026

Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry (RTF) was honored to sponsor the 2026 Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA) Summit at Wheaton College, where correctional ministry leaders from across the country gathered for encouragement, training, and collaboration. We were also excited to have three RTF team members lead workshops on fundraising, church engagement with returning citizens, and trauma-informed ministry!

Ottawa County Chaplain Jon Deur shared:

“The most encouraging part for me was connecting with like-minded chaplains and leaders who have a heart for jail ministry. It is always encouraging to know you are not alone in the difficulties, struggles, and joys of jail ministry. I appreciated seeing how others approach ministry, while also learning some new ideas, tools, and strategies that I can bring back to Ottawa County. Overall, it was a very encouraging and refreshing few days, and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend.”

We are grateful for opportunities like CMCA that equip leaders and strengthen the work of bringing Christ-centered hope to those impacted by incarceration.

06/06/2026

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord..." - Colossians 3:23

June, Professional Wellness Month, is a reminder that healthy ministry requires intentional investment.

At Reach the Forgotten, we regularly set aside time for staff development, reflection, and learning because caring for people well begins with being healthy ourselves. Through our ongoing partnership with The Colossian Forum we've been challenged to think deeply about how we work together, communicate, and pursue Christ-centered growth.

Healthy ministry doesn't happen by accident. It is cultivated through prayer, learning, accountability, and a shared commitment to the mission God has given us.

06/04/2026

We are so excited about this project!

Address

1480 Buchanan Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, MI
49507

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16167844620

Website

http://www.jailministry.org/

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