Letter from President
Andy Squires
God first called me into the prison ministry in 1979. I started out
ministering at Lowndes State Prison by an invitation from my
father-in-law. Prior to this ministry I was a businessman and worked with
inmates on a work release program in the early 70’s. After my store was
burglarized, I overheard an inmate’s plan to rob a place when he got out of
prison. I then realized that the Word of God was much needed in the prison
system in South Georgia and North Florida. Azalea City Prison Ministry was
founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1985.
We exist as a Christian organization consisting of ministers from all denominations in the surrounding community. As of 2013, we minister in 37 prisons across Georgia and Florida. We have jail ministries in Lowndes and Brooks County jails. Our youth detention ministry, JENERATION, goes to three different Youth Detention Centers. We conduct over 200 spiritual revival meetings at the prisons during the year and approximately 800 jail services each year.
Approximately 80% of our prison population is totally indigent, meaning no one will contribute to their monetary, emotional, or spiritual needs. During the year we try to support the Chaplaincy program with literature and toiletries when possible. At Christmas, we try to provide soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, lotion and some type of snack and soda to all of the institutions we minister in as well as others who request help. This year, we anticipate distributing to about 50,000 inmates.
In 2001, we purchased the property for our “whole-way” house, the Refuge of Hope. We are excited about what God is doing and how He has provided each and every thing we need for this ministry. Not only did he provide the ability to purchase the 46 acre property but also everything on it. We have a 4,000 sq. ft. dormitory that will accommodate 19 men. We have an amphitheater where community events and fund raising events can be held. We have a visitation and recreation building that currently serves as chapel and classroom space. We are almost finished with our new multi-purpose building which contains a large chapel, a nice modern kitchen and dining room, several offices, a sick bedroom, bathrooms, and a library. The Lord has also provided a bus, tractor, mowing equipment and all the things we need to accomplish His work every day.
God is at work on behalf of the incarcerated. We are happy and excited to be a part of this work.
Andy Squires
President and Founder
Andy Squires
God first called me into the prison ministry in 1979. I started out
ministering at Lowndes State Prison by an invitation from my
father-in-law. Prior to this ministry I was a businessman and worked with
inmates on a work release program in the early 70’s. After my store was
burglarized, I overheard an inmate’s plan to rob a place when he got out of
prison. I then realized that the Word of God was much needed in the prison
system in South Georgia and North Florida. Azalea City Prison Ministry was
founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1985.
We exist as a Christian organization consisting of ministers from all denominations in the surrounding community. As of 2013, we minister in 37 prisons across Georgia and Florida. We have jail ministries in Lowndes and Brooks County jails. Our youth detention ministry, JENERATION, goes to three different Youth Detention Centers. We conduct over 200 spiritual revival meetings at the prisons during the year and approximately 800 jail services each year.
Approximately 80% of our prison population is totally indigent, meaning no one will contribute to their monetary, emotional, or spiritual needs. During the year we try to support the Chaplaincy program with literature and toiletries when possible. At Christmas, we try to provide soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, lotion and some type of snack and soda to all of the institutions we minister in as well as others who request help. This year, we anticipate distributing to about 50,000 inmates.
In 2001, we purchased the property for our “whole-way” house, the Refuge of Hope. We are excited about what God is doing and how He has provided each and every thing we need for this ministry. Not only did he provide the ability to purchase the 46 acre property but also everything on it. We have a 4,000 sq. ft. dormitory that will accommodate 19 men. We have an amphitheater where community events and fund raising events can be held. We have a visitation and recreation building that currently serves as chapel and classroom space. We are almost finished with our new multi-purpose building which contains a large chapel, a nice modern kitchen and dining room, several offices, a sick bedroom, bathrooms, and a library. The Lord has also provided a bus, tractor, mowing equipment and all the things we need to accomplish His work every day.
God is at work on behalf of the incarcerated. We are happy and excited to be a part of this work.
Andy Squires
President and Founder