Ten years! Ten years of transforming lives, not just of the incarcerated students enrolled in Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI), but also the lives of those whom they impact daily. This impact has been observed on the Handlon Campus by other inmates who are not enrolled in CPI. Moreover, family members and friends who receive phone calls and make visitations with CPI students have recognized the transformation. In essence, CPI has affected change in thousands of lives beyond prison barriers simply because the program grants its students an opportunity to grow, defending them against remaining in a dormant state, arrested in their development due to problematic experiences from their pasts.
At the 2024 Fall Convocation, Shirley Hoogstra gave an awe-inspiring speech concerning how important each students’ experience is to their learning. As she shared stories which have made significant impacts on her journey, she spoke about a “rear view mirror,” and how each of us can view our own pasts as a means to measure our growth—individually as well as in community. While reflecting through the “rear view mirror,” CPI students have recognized a full decade of transforming lives and creating more space to positively affect entire communities when acclimated back into society, carceral or otherwise.
As part of Calvin University’s Global Campus, CPI graduates, students and staff would like to share experiences which have fostered growth and propelled change from behind walls of incarceration. These stories are shared from the very first cohort of students up to the incoming tenth cohort, as well as experiences from CPI staff, in the hope that doing so will elucidate our investment in navigating the complexities of life with compassion. As Hoogstra also stated, “Nothing is wasted in God’s economy.”
There is a saying in modern society, “Stay in your own lane.” Its intent is to warn others not to meddle in affairs that are not their own. However, we feel this saying is part of a larger narrative which restricts or excludes people from attempting to accomplish something outside one’s own personal abilities. Quite simply, if we were to have “stayed in our own lane,” we would have been prevented from joining this community. Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, is an exceptional example of how a community can foster growth in order for people to achieve extraordinary success. If we had remained in our own lanes, we would have never applied for CPI. If we had remained in our own lanes, we would have never entered the space necessary to mature out of criminality. Moreover, if Calvin University and the Michigan Department of Corrections had never collaborated, we would not be here to testify to the strength of cooperation and commitment by these very different institutions.
The following thoughts from various past and present CPI students echo these thoughts as they offer statements on behalf of their class cohorts:
“Aleksander Solzhenitsyn once said, ‘the greatest disasters may overtake a man in the best of places, and the greatest happiness may seek him out in the worst.’ Calvin University and Seminary bringing CPI into the Handlon Prison brought the greatest happiness into one of the worst places. Prison is a place of disillusionment and despair, dashed hopes, and shattered dreams where human beings are condemned to fruitless activity, emptiness, and hopelessness. CPI staff saw the infinite capacity and value in us, and carved out a space not only in the prison, but in our hearts and minds for us to see it as well. From the very beginning, CPI staff saw us not as prisoners, but people. By shaking our hands, calling us by name, asking our opinions, and honoring our experiences, they gave us back our humanity and sense of dignity and self-worth. But they didn’t stop there. No, they challenge us in every course and conversation to see in others what they saw in us, and they encouraged us to live the motto: ‘think deeply, act justly, and live who heartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal,’” said Eric Boldiszar, representing the first cohort.
“CPI has created a safe and productive learning community. A community which inspires and motivates returning citizens and prison personnel to communicate and build a shared vision for a safe and inspirational learning environment. An environment which propels all individuals forward into a wholesome and transformed future. One filled with new and blessed opportunities, which will help us to propel God’s kingdom into the world,”said Ivan Becthol, representing the second cohort.
“Being members of CPI’s third cohort restored our sense of humanity, of belonging, and having purpose. Working together as a group, we broke down the bonds of institutionalization in order to lift each other up for collective success rather than individual. Whether we were sprinting through Dr. Burge’s New Testament Survey course in a compressed three-week period (you read that correctly — class every day), or discovering how to continue learning during a novel worldwide pandemic halfway through our education…no matter wat we faced, we handled it together and continue to do so. Thank you to everyone that helped along the way, for your incredible faith, and for providing us what a second chance; we will be forever grateful for the life-changing opportunity. God bless you and yours always,” said Nathan Gilmore, representing the third cohort.
“Each Calvin staff member embodied the love and wisdom of God, creating a learning environment where we could develop and cultivate our purpose in Christ. Overall, CPI is a transformative experience that equipped us with the necessary tools to serve our community the way God intended,” said Marcus Johnson, representing the fourth cohort.
“The CPI program has given us the opportunity to grow as a prime citizen and as prime citizens our whole purpose in life is to bring shalom wherever we reside. This college experience has equipped us for life in our faiths. We believe that the quality of our lives can be measured through the relationships that we build and maintain,” said Cornell Richardson and Kris Stidham, representing the fifth cohort.
“During our time at CPI, we have been allowed to take part in a transformation that is bigger than ourselves. The transformation that has taken place within us has impacted the lives of our families, friends, as well as other inmates. Not only have our family members recognized transformation in us, but we have helped to change how they now view the world. The transformation CPI has set in motion is a ripple effect that impacts the lives of people beyond these prison walls,” said Aaron Rose, representing the sixth cohort.
“Although our experiences with CPI are varied, we are one in our sense of gratitude. Prison inmates are long accustomed to being regarded as a contemptible subclass, a societal order comprised of the ‘least of these.’ The mission of CPI turns this paradigm on its ear; giving freely of themselves, the faculty and staff labor with the aim to provide something precious to those who can give nothing in return. In them we daily see the marks of a sincere and vital faith, and thus the glory of the living God who has imbued them with a servant’s heart. We are truly grateful (Matthew 25:34-40),” said Mick Fletcher, representing the eighth cohort.
“The ‘Knights of the Ninth’ have all expressed that their Calvin experience has been one of the most insightful and transformative journeys thus far. Likened unto the stories of Lazarus being raised from the dead, or the dry bones coming to life in Ezekiel, members of the ninth cohort have been reinvigorated through this extraordinary educational experience,” said Dathan Price, representing the ninth cohort.
“Our Calvin experience so far has been challenging but very informative. This is a great opportunity for each of us. We look forward to developing more skills, as we begin to understand what it means to be a part of a community. Furthermore, we are committed to fulfill Calvin’s mission. Go Knights!”said Cameron LoCash, representing the 10th cohort.
The following personal testimony represents many of the experiences CPI students have encountered during their time in the program:
“In 2015, as a mentor in a prison youth-deterrent program, I was approached by a staff member who had already recommended and endorsed me (on the facility level) for CPI. I was flattered, but I declined because I did not think that a degree in faith was a fit for me. Five years later, I thought “Why not me?” So, I applied and was accepted. Now as a senior in CPI, in my 10th semester of being expanded and reshaped — spiritually and academically — I see how shortsighted I was back then. I find that not only is a degree in faith a fit for me, but I was divinely made to fit into the vocation that CPI works to prepare us for—taking our place as agents of renewal in God’s kingdom. My CPI story is a testament to God working in my life well before I had any inkling that He was priming me to eventually be a member of the Calvin community, and to align my heart with His purpose. As the 10-year anniversary of CPI approaches, I am honored to be in league with the other men who have also stepped up to take their place in the kingdom; I am joy-filled to be linked with all Calvin University students and alumni; I am forever grateful to the visionaries who started CPI, and who welcomed me into the fold; and I am proud to be a Knight for Life! Blessings,” said Robert Moore, a student from the seventh cohort.
