Dr. Michael Reighard, President
Education:
M.A., Central Bible College
M.A. Pastoral Counseling, M.Div., D. Min.,
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
Since entering the Chaplaincy Ministry in 1989, Dr. Michael L. Reighard has served as Chaplain in three United States Federal Prisons, pasturing inmates of security levels from minimum to maximum. His pastoral experience at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners encompassed several types of Chaplaincy ministries, including correctional, hospital, HOSPICE, and mental health. During Michael’s previous ministries, he served churches in Wyoming, Iowa, and Idaho. He also ministered in Christian education fields (K-12) in the capacity of teaching and administration. In his post-doctorate teaching career, Mike has traveled internationally, providing education in diverse ministry topics. He is the founder and President of Jericho Commission, a Christ-based reentry ministry for ex-offenders. His administrative abilities, experience in leadership, superior skills in interpersonal communication, and his sincere desire for others to achieve, has allowed Michael to become a remarkable trainer to those who desire creative “front-line ministries.”
Joseph Williams, Vice President
Education:
B.A., William Tyndale College
M.A., Wayne State University
Joseph Williams is the founder and CEO of New Creations Community Outreach, Inc., an international ministry model for serving prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. He annually hosts the nation’s largest faith-based prisoner reentry conference and is the founder of the Christian Association of Prisoner Aftercare. He is also the author of Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing: When the Actions of a Christian Turn Criminal, a gripping memoir that recounts his powerful story of redemption and transformation. He received degrees from William Tyndale College and Wayne State University. Joe has worked with and inspired thousands of prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families since 1982. Recognized as a true visionary, he has become one of the most sought after prison reentry authorities in the country and is a frequent speaker and panelist at reentry forums around the nation. Joe has testified before numerous bodies, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the National Institute of Corrections, on the subject of prisoner reentry. He serves on the national advisory board for the Billy Graham Center’s Institute for Prison Ministry.
Joe has been married to his wife, Sharon, since 1985. They have two sons, Anthony and Stephen, two daughters, AnnDrea and Gabrielle, and one granddaughter, A’Layah.
Chaplain R. Steve Lowe
Education:
M. A. Talbot Theological Seminary – Biola University
MA, Pepperdine University
MA, California State University, San Bernadino
Doctoral Course Work, Claremont University
As a former probation counselor and therapist and today as a seasoned juvenile correctional chaplain, Steve has provided over 40 years of professional institutional service to California’s San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties. Supervising the Protestant Chaplaincy inistry for the Orange County Juvenile Justice Complex’s seven institutions since 1981, Steve’s purpose is to help fulfill the Great Commission with incarcerated and hurting youth, adults, and their families.
As the Founder, President, and Executive Chaplain for Pacific Youth Correctional Mnistries, an international chaplain-placing ministry, Steve also assists Christian organizations and penal agencies as a consultant in program origination and development. He has experience as an adjunct faculty member, specializing in criminology and juvenile delinquency.
Steve is an ordained minister and is joined in ministry by his wife Jan. Steve and Jan have three grown children: Jeff, Morgan (deceased) and Jessica.
Dr. David Schuringa
Education:
B.A., Trinity Christian College
M.A.R.; M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
Th.M., Calvin Theological Seminary
Ph.D., Theologische Universiteit te Kampen, The Netherlands
Dr. H. David Schuringa is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church with wide-ranging experience as a pastor, professor and theologian. Dr. Schuringa served as senior pastor of two established churches in West Michigan and planted a church in Southern California. He taught for nine years at Westminster Seminary California and served as an adjunct professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and Kuyper College in Grand Rapids. He has guest lectured in various seminaries and has served on a variety of boards and committees.
Dr. Schuringa is a member of the Speakers Bureau of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, serves on the Communities of Faith Advisory Council of the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University of Law and is a board member for the Campaign for Justice, as well as Faith Alive Christian Resources.
In 1999 Dr. Schuringa accepted the appointment to head the rapidly growing ministry of CBI. He founded The Center for Advanced Studies at Crossroad Bible Institute (2005) and Crossroad Correctional Services (2010). David travels extensively to speak in churches, schools, prisons as well as at seminars and conferences. He is also the host of the weekly radio program Crossroad Connection, a voice for restorative justice (www.cbi.fm).
Dr. Karen Swanson
Education:
B.A., Cornerstone University
B.S., Calvin College
M.A., Western Michigan University
Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Dr. Karen Swanson is the Director of the Institute for Prison Miistries (IPM) at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College. As Director, she oversees the Charles W. Colson Scholarship program at Wheaton College, serves on the Christian Association for Prisoner Aftercare Advisory Board, the Operational Starting Line Advisory Board, and pursues the goals of IPM through collaborations, networks and strategic partnerships that provide leadership and training to those engaged in correctional ministries for the advancement of the Gospel.
She began her correctional ministry by teaching in the Life Learning Program at Cook County Jail, Chicago, IL. She also served three years as the Executive Director of LifeHouse Ministries, a Christ-centered reentry program. She continues to serve in jails and prisons and on a reentry board of directors.
Karen serves as faculty in the Christian Formation and Ministry Department at Wheaton College and teaches courses in correctional ministry. She earned her doctorate from Northern Illinois University in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum Leadership.
