Onesimus Ministries of Norfolk, Inc

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Chesapeake, VA
Onesimus Ministries of Norfolk, Inc

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Providing a supportive community for those men transitioning from jail and prison.

10/26/2026

I like to think Keith "Big O" as my “man from Macedonia.” The man whom the Apostle Paul envisioned as he was seeking the Holy Spirit’s leading on where to go next in his missionary journey. It was Keith who prepared the ground for me when I taught the Bible in my first cell-block. And it was Keith who encouraged me to accept to accept convicted “violent offenders” into the Onesimus Transition Center. I remember Keith writing me a letter from the Virginia State Penitentiary in Richmond, Virginia’s oldest and most violent prison. He was writing in response to an early Onesimus newsletter he had received where I had proclaimed that Onesimus would only accept nonviolent offenders upon their release. Keith asked, “does this mean I would not be able to come to Onesimus upon my release?” His question humbled me and was a wake-up call. How could I not open the door to keith. The man who was so
instrumental in my early ministry? I soon changed and began accepting offenders like Keith, including him.

10/24/2026

The Onesimus Ministries Founder and Director William Twine Retires after Nearly 50 Years of Service

Most of us know Rev. Twine by his easy smile and generous bursts of laughter. Many know him by his steadfast work at Norview Baptist Church. Some know him by his many years as chaplain and minister to men who have been impacted by incarceration. And still others know him as a fiercely competitive basketball player. But there is something far more impactful about this man. His legacy has been built through his love and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through Rev. Twine’s astonishing record of continued lifelines thrown for second, third and fourth chances (and sometimes even more), countless men have had the opportunity to transform their lives (this honored writer being one of those and in tears as I write this tribute.)

As an ordained Southern Baptist minister, endorsed by the North American Missions Board, he served for 30 years as Chaplain at The St. Brides Correctional Center. In 1982, he co- founded The Onesimus Ministries, which has grown to include the Training Center/14-Bed Housing Unit in Chesapeake, VA, as well as two senior graduate houses in Virginia Beach. Through “Onesimus,” men who were once considered useless are provided housing, food, clothing, transportation, open doors to worship, employment and educational opportunities and more… all leading to a successful transition from incarceration back into the community.

Rev. Twine has announced he will “Step Down” as The Onesimus Ministries Director on Dec. 31, 2026, but continue to support and advise the ministry. We thank this man, whose legacy has changed lives.

10/20/2026

You all come!

09/26/2026

Thanks to our friends at the Church of Great Bridge for their generous donation that made it possible for us to purchase this 2023 Honda Minivan for the Transition Center.

09/14/2026

9/11 memory

It was a September morning, sky the color of November, no clouds. I had two things to do: pick up a young man from jail and go to work at the prison. At the light on Princess Anne Road, NPR reported a plane hit the World Trade Tower. Not sure yet if it was an accident. The young man I would pick up in a few minutes wasn’t aware of the news. He’d been inside a year and the world he was coming back to was breaking open. I had to be the one to tell him. By the time we got to the halfway house, the television had already said everything. An hour later I was walking the prison units. In the Youthful Offender unit, they were watching MTV. I asked one of them why he wasn’t watching the news. He said, “I don’t know no one there. ”He was probably right. I didn’t know anyone there either, but I knew the magnitude of what the rest of the country was watching. Later I found out that one of the Youthful Offender’s mother was stationed at the Pentagon. My mutual fund managers were on the 100th floor, a former classmate’s nephew was a firefighter, who went in and didn’t come out.

I still think about the kid. Not because he was wrong, but because twenty-five years later I’m still trying to figure out what it means to know someone there.

08/18/2026

Come check out the event.

07/18/2026

It’s Fishing Season 2026 at The Onesimus House and Resident Michael Adger leads the team with the biggest catch so far! He pulled it out of his favorite spot near the neighboring bridge over the Pocaty River. Friend and fellow resident Ray Welsh was there to cheer him on and help bring the trophy in. Dinner (flash-fried catfish) was on Michael that night!

04/18/2026

trying to teach Henry (an old dog) new trick.

Address

Chesapeake, VA
23322

Telephone

+17574212553

Website

http://onesimus-ministries.org/

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