Starting Over On The Inside

A LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAM THAT EQUIPS OFFENDERS WITH THE NEEDED CHARACTER QUALITIES AND LIFE SKILLS FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO SOCIETY

52% of released prisoners reoffend

Without addressing prisoners’ real-life issues before their release and if their hearts aren’t transformed by the love of Jesus Christ, the revolving door of the national 52% recidivism rate continues

We want to change that crazy statistic.

Yesterday and Today

Starting Over on the Inside is about learning from failure and the ability to overcome it and succeed. For more than thirty years, the original Starting Over Workshop has helped over nine thousand people who have experienced life-changing setbacks who learn how to start over and experience healing, hope and a real sense of purpose.

In 2025, hundreds of inmates are participating in the “Starting Over on the Inside” program. Men and women are experiencing restoration through Jesus Christ, discovering His transforming love, peace, and purpose.

Inmates are acquiring essential life skills and character qualities that will help them successfully transition back into society.

Their life change impacts their families, communities, and the state of Colorado. This ministry plays a vital role in reducing the recidivism rate, which currently stands at 52% in Colorado and beyond!

Effective Results

As a result of the program’s success since it’s launch the Colorado Department of Correction’s Executive Director of Prisons and Director of Prisons, wardens, and the CDOC’s Volunteer Faith and Citizens organization has provided us access to all of Colorado’s Prisons.

Starting Over is available in both on-site and on video for all CDOC facilities. Since we began in May of 2021 the program has been in thirteen Colorado prisons with over 51 on-site workshops and over 1,500 on-site graduates and over 35,000 online graduates in 22 states since July 2024. See update below

We understand that to be successful, this program must be sustainable. As a result, we are training chaplains and offenders to run the program within each of their facilities so we can reach more men and women with our life-changing program.

Worthy in His eyes

Many of us have made poor decisions and for some those choices have led to incarceration. There are good reasons for being sentenced to prison, but a prison sentence does not change that people are created in God’s image and have worth in His eyes.

Prison is, however, a dehumanizing environment for most. Many prisoners have been forgotten and disconnected from family or friends during their time behind bars, but God has not forgotten them. He knows their names, and their stories and they matter to Him. Nor have we forgotten…

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison.
Hebrews 13:3

LIFE CHANGE IS A MATTER OF THE HEART AND THIS IS WHERE GOD BEGINS TO CHANGE THINGS

Stories of Life Change

Transforming Lives Together - Your Support is Making a Difference!

April 2026 Update

Thank you for your faithful support—your prayers, encouragement, and generous gifts have made a lasting difference. Your end-of-year donations helped us navigate the challenges of 2025 and step confidently into 2026. Since our December update, God has continued to open doors, and we’re grateful to share what He’s doing through your partnership.

On the Ground in Colorado
Our work in Colorado keeps bearing fruit. We recently celebrated our 52nd on-site course since 2021, with more than 1,500 graduates trained as chaplains, volunteers, and inmates equipped to serve others. This spring, we launched two new on-site workshops, with additional sessions planned across other facilities. At the same time, our tablet platform continues to expand its reach nationwide.

Nationwide Impact
Since launching in July 2024, our self-paced tablet program, Starting Over on the Inside, has seen remarkable growth.
As of April 2026, over 53,495 people have completed the English course and 19,100 have completed the Spanish course—for a combined total of more than 72,500 graduates.

Through these courses, thousands are hearing the gospel, many for the first time. Students study at their own pace, complete meaningful lessons and quizzes, and earn a Certificate of Achievement recognized by their facility. The result is real spiritual transformation that equips men and women for healthier lives and stronger reintegration into their families and communities.

Prayer Requests for 2026

More lives transformed by Christ through workshops, teaching, preaching, and the tablet program
Families witnessing the positive change in their loved ones
Increased funding through faithful donors, new supporters, and grants
New partnerships that help “Starting Over” reach even more inmates

2025 was a year of significant growth in changed lives, even as it brought financial challenges. Your continued partnership is what makes this work possible.

Thank you for remembering those in prison as if you were there with them (Hebrews 13:3).

As we move through 2026, the opportunities before us are greater than ever. With friends like you standing alongside us, we’re ready to walk through every open door.

In The News

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