Circumcision of the Heart Ministry
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus,
 and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
 
New Beginnings
Bishop J. N. Hall
Bishop J. N. Hall Jr.

Over the past eighteen (18) years of my incarceration, I have had the privilege of meeting a lot of frustrated and angry young men. Young men who as a result of some impulsive and dangerous decisions they’ve made, are left with difficult and mind boggling consequences that has seemingly stripped them of their sense of hope, will to dream, and strength to respond. Many who lost their way made some dangerous choices at a defining moment in their lives that brought them here federal prison.
 
For too many, in their minds, in their minds it is the beginning of the end. All because of the dangerous and thoughtless and long-term decisions made based on temporary attractions. There are so many infected with idleness that is a tragedy and evident of the great injury done to our young African American and Latino men. Unfortunately, more traumas continue to be visited upon them. Nowadays, however, the injury is not so much outward and physical as inward and psychological… or should I say, spiritual?
Looking into the eyes of many of the young men, conspicuous to me, is the enormous amount of pain and frustration each one of them tries so hard to camouflage with this “I can handle anything attitude. Even with their self-serving camouflage the hurt caused by the damage inflicted on their corporate pride, sense of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-respect is obvious.

Overwhelmed by so much pain and frustration, I needed to do something…I had to do something to help them to dream again, to hope again. To do nothing in this vast valley of hopelessness, disfranchisement, valley of depravity, valley of lifelessness would be deemed, in my opinion, selfish. I’m blessed to have my family and friends support. I have someone I can turn to. If I were released today, I would have a place to live and friends who would give me a job. But, there are so many here who can’t depend on anyone, so many who don’t have the basic life skills to make it on their own. In part this is one of the many reasons my family, friends, and I founded Circumcision of the Heart Ministry. It was also my primary concern when I started Circumcision of the Heart Theological Studies here at Coleman-Medium and also it is reason why I have supported all of the other inmate facilitated self-improvement programs.

We do not have the luxury of standing idly by waiting for the Bureau of Prisons and this institution to change our conditions or set priorities for our lives. We need to seek useful information, seek change for our lives, and educate ourselves in the preparation of entering back into the mainstream of society as soon as possible. It is our responsibility. So, I challenge anyone who will join us in helping incarcerated young men of America, take back and maintain their righteous mind and strive for a meaningful and purposeful life.


Acknowledgements:

Tyrone and Olivia Ferrell, Virginia Neal, David and Maggie Hall, Cleophas Hall, Ronnie Tate, Marcus Turner, Ronnie Glinton, Patrick Simmons, Shedric Graham, friends, and staff, who have taken a special interest in our ministry, programs, studies, and this project. I’ve appreciated their encouragement and help along the way.

 Thanks to all of you and may God continue to bless you all!