About MEC
Every week MEC puts on approximately 90 services in Twin Cities jails. Every week hundreds of men, women and youth hear about the life-changing grace of Christ that is able to transform their lives in this world and enable them to access eternal life. Yet we could easily be doing more! With more volunteers we could provide services on some units that do not have them and/or support volunteers who would like someone to work with them. We need more volunteers if we are to fill the ministry vacuum that currently exists.
History of MEC
Missionary Evangelism to Corrections started in the late 1970's when Jon Bartosik went into a jail in Hawaii with his brother Rick who was a chaplain there. He realized that the incarcerated men who knew Christ had more freedom in their hearts than he did, and committed his life to Christ. Attending Northwestern College in Roseville he began to volunteer with the juveniles and adults at Lino Lakes' correctional facility.
Jon had transitioned from working with his carpet cleaning business to full time ministry, which was his passion. He had leukemia and was sometimes hospitalized. We never heard him complain. As soon as he was out, he would be back in the jails sharing the gospel with youth and adults. In the late 70's he formed a trust and a board to oversee the ministry. He continued directing it until the Lord took him home.
Rick Barker took leadership of the ministry and in 1990 incorporated MEC as a nonprofit agency. Saul Selby was on the board and when Rick moved to Florida, Saul was asked to lead in 1992. Because he was working at a full time job and could not oversee it in the same manner as before, the Lord directed him to get volunteers to come and help.
Word spread that MEC was an interdenominational, scripture based ministry sharing the love of Christ in jails and we started to grow. Volunteers would call wanting to help and program directors were open to having volunteers meet the religious need of inmates. As we matched pieces and prayed for the Lord's direction, church services were begun by those that could volunteer one time a month and Bible studies were started with those who could go weekly.
Karen Selby was hired part time in the office in 1998, became Director of Volunteers in 2001 and became full time Associate Director in 2005.
Others who have come along aside volunteering their time in the office are as follows:
- Grace Schmidt has faithfully volunteered each week since 2007.
- Over the years Selena Pagano, Connie Lebeau, Jan Erickson, Laura Kunde, Lonnie Farrell, Doreen Kapfer and Patti Wiltgen have given volunteer hours in the office.
- Mary Crouse has helped with mailings and continues to do so.
- Ron and Sharon Peterson did so for some time, and David Hughes also helped. Many others have helped with calling.
- Angela Brandt completed an internship for a masters at the University of Minnesota and helped develop the reentry program. This was active in three facilities for some time and is now down to one. Brian Connery keeps that going.
- Some Teen Challenge ministry students have done leadership internships with us.
Employees who have been part-time office administration:
- Sheree Meader – 2009 - 2011
- Michelle Nelson – 2011 – 2013
- Dori Benson - 2014
- Sandy Hanson – 2010 – Today (Sandy started as a volunteer in 2009 and has gradually expanded her paid hours while continuing to do her community service here.)
- Lori Hoskins – October, 2017 – Today
- Nadine Behrens – April 2019 – current
Others who worked briefly for pay in the office are:
- Anya Waskey in 2015
- Daniel Selby in 2014
As MEC has grown from 5-8 services to 80-90 a week we have watched the Lord provide opportunities and laborers to this, one of His fields. We also have intercessors and strong opportunity for intercession for your community.