A homeless man wins college scholarship…

There are six ways Wayside Cross Ministries is standing against the brokenness of the world, through the power of Christ, by meeting people wherever they are on the walk of life. This story of faith deals with two: Master’s Touch Recovery for Men and New Life Corrections Ministry. Both work hand-in-hand to restore the homeless, convicted felons, and ex-offenders as well as those dealing with other issues of brokenness and sin.

By Donna Matthewson,
a volunteer at Wayside Cross Ministries

“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their Righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory” ~ Isaiah 61:3-4

One day, after a really savage beating, James grabbed a Bible and started to read it. He also started praying for the first time ever. After years of rejecting God, and trying to fill that God size hole in his heart with drugs and alcohol, he realized what he needed.  He realized that God had been beside him all through his struggles and He was just waiting for James to realize He was there. That realization really softened James’ heart and allowed him to completely shift his perspective.  All that pride that had kept him separated from God, began to disappear and he gave his life to the LORD in that horrible place.  He was saved in prison along with some other fellow inmates. This group of believers kept James focused on God as they got involved in prison ministry.  They spent time singing worship songs that have stuck with James through all these years and even when he was homeless and living in a car those worship songs sustained him. God became very real to James. He still cannot fathom how he could have rejected God for so long.

A Divine Appointment

James was really moved by the ministers and chaplains who came into prison and selflessly ministered to them. They travelled a few hours each way to minister to this small group of new believers and they really fanned the flames of their faith.  James is still in awe of how the Holy Spirit worked through those men. After a couple of years James was paroled and was able to get an interstate transfer to his home state of Illinois, he found himself back in the Chicago area. He worked at many menial jobs he hated because he had those felony convictions hanging over his head. A few years ago, the felony convictions were reduced to misdemeanors and he started getting better jobs.

During the spring of 2023, he was working in a mental health facility, but living in a friend’s car for a couple weeks and he was really struggling. A good friend of his called him out of the blue, he hadn’t talked to her in a couple of years. He knew that God was involved because she was a strong sister in Christ and God led her to reach out to him.  He shared with her what was going on, and immediately she told him about Wayside Cross.

Asking for Help

James had never heard of Wayside, even though he had grown up in the area. He started doing a little bit of research and looked into the Master’s Touch program. After that initial phone call, his friend put him in touch with a business partner, who is now his mentor. He strongly recommended Wayside as well. He was part of the New Life Correction prison ministry, having benefitted from this life transforming program himself.  He put James in touch with Steve Madawick, the director of the program. When James entered the Master’s Touch Program, he was able to really focus on God and put Him first in his life. The programs have been life changing for him, just like it is for so many other men.  James has felt a real fellowship with the other men in the program. He had felt so isolated prior to entering the program, what a difference being surrounded by community made. There is a real brotherhood there that has sustained him.

Setbacks Don’t Have To Be Permanent Defeats

It hasn’t been all clear sailing for James.  After he was in the program for three months, he slipped back into his old ways and began drinking.  He confessed his failure and was told he could return to the program in two weeks which he did and he is so grateful that Wayside gave him a second chance. God never gave up on James and neither did Wayside or the Master’s Touch. James knows he is a work in progress and he really appreciates the encouragement and help that the other men have been to him.

From The School of Hard Knocks To College Bound Scholar

Recently, James, a resident in the Master’s Touch program, was awarded the R. Steve Lowe Scholarship from Wheaton College! God planted the seed for serving in prison ministry back when he was in prison and James now can look back on his experiences and see that God wanted to bring beauty from the ashes of his life.  This Scholarship is the fruition of that seed planted by God back in the LA County Jail. When he got the call that he had been chosen for the Scholarship he was surprised but excited. James can look back and see God’s hand in his life, guiding him and going before him, making a way for him to realize this dream of getting into prison ministry. God has put so many great people around James that have supported him through the application process, writing recommendations for him and praying with him.  James feels that he couldn’t have done this on his own, but only with the help of this wonderful community that he has found at Wayside and in the Master’s Touch Program.

The S. Steve Lowe Scholarship provides educational support for ex-offenders who feel called to the ministry and want to further their education.

“God is opening doors for me,” says James, preparing him for the work God has in store for him.

James really wants his past to be used for God’s glory.  He wants to be able to preach the Word with authority and to help others find the way he has been helped.  James recently had the opportunity to go to the Pacific Garden Mission on a Sunday to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the men. There were about 200 people there and James was excited to see what God would do through his testimony. James is looking forward to going to the DuPage County jail with his mentor.  “God is opening doors for me,” says James, preparing him for the work God has in store for him. It’s an exciting calling that James finds God beckoning him to.

A Hope And A Future

This Scholarship and the education that it is affording him is really thrilling.  James has always craved adventure, but this is bigger than anything he could have picked for himself.  Classes started in April and he will be able to take them online.  James will be able to take the classes from his Wayside apartment. James hopes to graduate in June. Though it’s been 20 years since he has been in college, he is not scared about this new opportunity but cannot wait to learn and grow and see where God leads him. God is bringing beauty from the ashes of his life and today, his future is bright.

The R. Steve Lowe Scholarship was established in 2020 at Wheaton College.

Chaplain Steve has held a high level of commitment to education and training for all who serve in correctional ministry since 1970. Steve has attended and been an instructor in correctional ministry courses including, the American Chaplains Training School (ACTS), the School of Correctional Ministries at Wheaton College, courses with Christian University GlobelNet and the team to relaunch of the Correctional Ministry program at the Correctional Ministries Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wayside Cross’ Bible-based, God-honoring recovery and transitional housing programs

What are the requirements for staying in the Wayside Cross Ministries recovery program or living in the transitional housing apartments?  Residents in good standing who have graduated Phase 2 are invited to Phase 3, 4 or 5 if they are working or looking for work.  Residents in all our phases must maintain their sobriety, participate in all aspects of our Bible-based and work-readiness curriculum, maintain membership in a local Bible-believing church and check in weekly with their program director. 

Is there a charge to stay at Wayside in the recovery program? No. Only when people graduate and begin working a regular job outside the ministry in Phase 4 or 5 will there be a monthly program fee to stay here. The rate is very low and based on individual circumstances and weekly income. It’s significantly lower that renting an apartment on their own. While in Pans 4 or 5, residents still have access to free meals, clothing, etc.  The goal of Phase 4 and 5 is to make independent living possible and allow individuals to have more of their hard-earned income to save for more permanent housing arrangements in the future.

Are people required to work while they are living at Wayside.  Yes. While in Phases 1,2 or 3 Residents will take part in the care and maintaining of the facilities. In addition, they will have other job details or assignments like maintenance, housekeeping warehouse management which are a vital part of the program and ensure that our housing and recovery programs remain free.  During these phases, residents in good-standing can earn a small stipend for incidentals. They also must participate in all class work can diligently work towards their GED or other job-readiness certifications.