top of page
Our Stories
At Along Side Ministries, we’re privileged to watch God move every day in the lives of the men and women we serve. Below are a few stories of transformation and redemption made possible through God’s grace and the support of our friends:
Breaking Chains Newsletter
A front-row seat to what God is doing through Along Side Ministries—stories of redemption, discipleship, and real-life transformation inside prison and beyond. Get updates, testimonies, and ways you can pray, give, and come alongside.
Along Side Ministries December 2025 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • December 2025 • Newsletter Call 602-995-9484 for details or go online www.asmaz.com A Transformed Life points everyone’s attention to God!
Along Side Ministries November 2025 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • November2025 • Newsletter Call 602-995-9484 for details or go onlinewww.asmaz.com A Transformed Life points everyone’s attention to God!
Along Side Ministries September 2024 Newsletter
Breaking Chains • September 2024 • Newsletter From Abuse and Neglect to Redemption and Restoration Matthew’s Story By the age of 14, Matthew’s parents, both alcoholics in a physically abusive marriage, divorced, leaving Matthew caught in a web of loneliness while moving between his dad’s, mom’s, and sister’s houses. It was years of no actual structure of family life. This led to an angry and confused Matthew, who took on the values of the world and away from his Catholic upbr
Freedom Stories: Alumni Testimonies
Meet the men and women whose lives have been changed through the Discipleship Training Program—testimonies of freedom, faith, and new beginnings. These are graduate and alumni stories of what happens when hope becomes a life rebuilt.
Graduation September 17, 2023
November 2023 • Newsletter Thank you for honoring our most recent graduates; Charlette Susie Chartier, Gregory Kouma, Henry Fischbacher, and Evan Weeks. “I see graduation not as an end of something but rather as a continuation of my transition into society and my walk with the Lord. It’s an obligation to give back to others who are released from prison and joining the Along Side program, to be a help and support to them as they start their transition on the outside.” — Henry
June Graduates – What Graduation Means to Me!
July 2023 • Newsletter ASM June Graduates (L-R) Verrone White, Jacob Welsch and Craig Chapman Along Side Ministries quarterly graduation ceremonies are always an event. Program residents, Board members, staff, volunteers, and donors all come together to celebrate the Discipleship Training Program and become Alumni. Verrone White – June Graduate — I see graduation as a time to pause and reflect on all the Lord has done for me and how much I’ve learned over the past nine month
Rising from the Ashes of a broken Life – Orion Everson’s Story
God not only transformed Orion’s life, He’s blessing him with a beautiful relationship with his daughter, Addison.
Faith In Action: Volunteer Stories
Real stories from real people serving in reentry, jail, and prison ministry—faith made visible through mentorship and presence.
Beyond the Bars: Prison Ministry Stories of Hope
A visit to Beyond the Bars at Along Side Ministries became more than I expected, encountering real stories of transformation, deep community, and the hope found in Jesus.
Inside Arizona Prison Volunteer Stories: Dan Norcott
"Because of you, hope walks into prison" - ASM Volunteer Dan Norcott What would it feel like to walk into a prison and see a church? Not a building with stained glass and pews — but a visitation room filled with orange uniforms and open Bibles. The inmates and volunteers call it “Orange Church.” And every week, because of faithful supporters like you, church happens in one of the darkest places imaginable. Serving these men is one of the most powerful experiences of my life.
Setting Captives Free
September 2020 • Newsletter “ Along Side is fantastic. They’re doing so many things right. I volunteer with other ministries and not many have this much recovery programming. The regular sessions each week, the one-on-one mentorship is all very good, plus they’ve got some very smart, extremely biblically sound, and caring leadership.” Ruth has a passion for pouring into the lives of women and helping them experience freedom from the lies and regret that holds them hostage. W
Hope & Help Resources
Tools, guidance, and support for families, donors, and anyone seeking help—clear next steps to connect, give, and find encouragement.
Four Ways of Helping Without Enabling: How to Walk With a Loved One in Crisis
Imagine this... You’re dealing with your day to day affairs and you get a phone call from someone close to you. They’re frantic and desperate. They need something from you and it’s no small ask. You oblige because you love them, but you know deep down you shouldn’t because it’s reinforcing a bad behavior. You’ve been down this road before and it’s frustrating. In fact, you pull back a little when you see their name come up on the phone and you hesitate to answer, hoping they’
Beyond the Bars: Prison Ministry Stories of Hope
A visit to Beyond the Bars at Along Side Ministries became more than I expected, encountering real stories of transformation, deep community, and the hope found in Jesus.
Help Change A Life And Take The Credit
November 2023 • Newsletter You can make a difference in the lives of the men and women in our Discipleship Training Program as they make a successful transition to independent living and the local church. Please consider donating to Along Side Ministries and receive an ARIZONA TAX CREDIT. The State of Arizona Charitable Tax Credit is available to singles up to $421 and couples filing a joint return up to $841. Please consult your tax advisor for how this credit may apply to
All Posts
From Death Row to New Life
September 2020 • Newsletter Chris grew up in a loving home, raised by his grandmother. He was a good student, very athletic and he loved sports. Aside from the missing relationship with his mother, who was always in and out of prison, he remembers being content with what he had. That is, until a sleepover opened his eyes to what he was missing. “I spent the night at a friend’s house and I couldn’t believe what I saw. His family had a swimming pool and a basketball court, the
A Prodigal Son Comes Home
September 2020 • Newsletter A lot can happen in 30 years. When Thomas was sentenced to prison, largely for following in his father’s footsteps, his dad was still on the loose as a longtime member of the infamous Hell’s Angels. Three decades later, when Thomas was released, his father was a different man. “He was on a dark highway out in Oklahoma one night when his truck skidded off a bridge and landed upside-down in a river. He survived. But at the hospital, God finally caugh
There's despair ... and then there's Joy. Deidre has lived in both places.
Now the hard work began. After prison, finding work is a challenge — especially in a pandemic. But thanks to generous friends like you...
Harriet's Story
May 2020 Perfect, perfect, perfect. A quick glance at Harriet’s résumé would tell you: She did everything right. Aiming for a career in politics, she headed down a sensible path of accomplishments: earned a degree from Ohio State, worked in corporate America, earned an MBA, went to law school in Tucson, established her own law practice. But something wasn’t perfect. Not completely. In law school, under that pressure, Harriet began drinking. “I grew up Christian,” she says tod
Behind Bars, Earl Had No Future Then Your Love Set Him FREE
April 2020 Look at Earl Carter today, and you’ll smile. He’s just that kind of guy. Bright, cheerful ... a “good soul.” You’d never know he did four years in prison. And he was “lucky” to get that deal. By the time the police caught up with him, he had 19 felonies on his record. Earl grew up in a dysfunctional home. His parents divorced when he was only 10. He watched his dad struggle with drugs. He was 14 years old when he fathered his first child. His girlfriend already had
bottom of page