All In Community (AIC), West Ohio's ministry with justice-involved individuals, has received a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Evangelism to support the work of the Four Friends Speakers Bureau. 

The Four Friends Speakers Bureau is a group of returning citizens who share their powerful stories of redemption. Created from the vision of AIC leader, the late James Clay, this ministry’s focus is to use personal stories to inspire churches and communities to join in ministry with individuals impacted by crime and incarceration.

Four Friends speakers are trained, resourced, and deployed to churches throughout Ohio. They share their stories of God’s redemption to reduce justice-involved shame and stigma through conversations, and to encourage churches to join in justice-involved ministries. In sharing stories of transformation, Four Friends speakers serve as a catalyst for healing, both for speakers and congregants.

The Foundation for Evangelism grant supports AIC’s ministry goal of deploying Four Friends to 24 United Methodist churches throughout Ohio by June 2024. If your congregation is interested in hosting a Four Friends speaker, please contact Rev. Rae Lynn Schleif at rlschleif@gmail.com.