History and Birth of the International Ministry
The primary emphasis of Good News Jail & Prison Ministry since its inception has been
providing Chaplains to America’s Jails and Prisons. However, the need for prison ministry in other countries was always the vision of Dr. William L. Simmer, Founder and President Emeritus of Good News. The international ministry began in 1976 when Rubens Dos Santos was appointed as the first full-time international chaplain. After 16 years of faithful ministry, the Lord called Rubens home to Heaven in 1993. In 1979 Mithra and Dayamani Satuluri were appointed as chaplains in India. Nigeria became the third country for international ministry in 1979 when Nelson Akpan was appointed a chaplain. Nelson went to Heaven in July 2007.
The Growth of the International Ministry
In 1997, Good News Jail & Prison Ministry entered the second phase as the international ministry began expanding. There were 13 chaplains appointed in Latvia in the fall of 1993 after Harry Greene participated in the graduation class for those trained under Chaplain Harry Howard, retired chaplain of San Quentin State Prison. As the Lord continued to grow the international ministry, the Board of Directors saw the need to provide some structure and guidance for its future growth.
In March 2000, Robert Thompson, Chairman of the Board, appointed a committee to guide Good News in its expansion internationally. The Committee established a basic philosophy governing the international expansion as well as emphasizing three guiding principles. The basic philosophy was: Good News Jail & Prison Ministry will not aggressively seek international expansion, but will be ready, by faith, to enter the doors of opportunity as God opens them. The guiding principles involved (1) to ensure accountability, (2) to maintain quality, and (3) to control cost. In 2003, Dr. Harry E. Fletcher’s title and responsibilities as Vice President of Ministry were changed to Vice President of International Ministry as a reflection of the need for a full-time staff person to oversee this growing segment of Good News Jail & Prison Ministry.
The Present Status
Good News provides 322 international directors/chaplains serving in 22 countries and one US Territory. There are other countries asking for help, and Good News is prayerfully waiting upon the Lord for His direction and provision. As one missionary statesman said,
the future is as bright as the promises of God!
In Our Wonderful Lord,