The Theotherapy Project

05/04/2026

We will soon be wrapping up our first class this year at the Deborah Johnson Rehabilitation Center Annex and the women are already asking for another one.

Please pray for Janice who is one of the first participants in this class. She gave me permission to share her story.

Janice has the typical story of a childhood filled with sexual and physical abuse, which then became drug abuse, then crime, then prison.

In the fall of 2024 her brother held her is his arms on the bathroom floor begging God to save her when she was dying from a drug overdose.

God answered her brother's desperate plea and saved her life. As a result of this miracle, Janice surrendered all to the gracious God who saved her. She had been hiding from the police but in obedience to Him, she turned herself in after celebrating an early Christmas with her siblings, children and grandchildren.

Janice was transferred to the DJRC annex just as our new class was beginning.

Janice's brother unexpectedly passed away a few weeks ago. The day he died, the chaplain shared with me that she saw someone walking in the prison yard with her back to her, lifting her arms in praise. As the chaplain approached, she realized it was Janice with tears streaming down her face because of her brother's passing. Janice said, “I am praising God in all things because that's what He wants me to do.”

Thanks to all of those who support this ministry! Without your faithful support and prayers these classes would not be possible.

This is a picture of a handcrafted card Janice gave to me after our first meeting.

03/08/2026

The Theotherapy Project has started two new classes this year: one at Turney Center Industrial Prison for men, led by Dorothy Dresser and Susan McFarland, and one class at the Deborah Johnson Rehabilitation Center led by Dana West.

We see such a hunger and thirst for the message of God's wonderful, healing love.
Please pray for us and for the ladies who have chosen to begin this journey with Christ to Emotional Freedom.

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

11/28/2025

Some of our followers have requested a link to the Belmont Youth group worship recordings from the 90’s. Here it is: https://youtube.com/?si=Eb-SPgCSuO_7NSxj

11/16/2025

Had another awesome night at support group last night. One of the former inmates joined us for the first time. It was so good to see her…last time I saw her was a couple of years ago at DJRC.

It’s such a blessing to get to reconnect with everyone.
The video call went very well with those who attended that way.

We not only had some amazing things shared by each person, but we talked about some pretty awesome plans for the group going forward.

I will share what we talked about soon but it’s going to be really good! God bless you all and happy Sunday! ❤️
Mark

10/04/2025

09/24/2025

Last Saturday night’s support group meeting was one of the most amazing times of ministry I have ever experienced.

One of our group members came in desperately needing ministry. She had recently lost her son and had to drive a long way to be at the meeting.

As I began to minister, something powerful happened. The other's who were there joined in together to minister to this wounded saint. I saw some of the most Holy Spirit motivated compassion, insight, revelation and ministry skill pour out right there in front of me. I was so in awe of the incredible work these folks did…I just sat back and watched what God did through them.

They were like five fingers on the same hand. Each one had incredible insight, wisdom and their ministry skills kicked in to full gear. It was like watching a textbook Theotherapy session and I just sat back and watched God do His work through them.

I was reminded that the truths we teach in Theotherapy are biblical, timeless and Holy Spirit empowered. Even though some of them have been out of prison for many years…the principles and facilitating skills came forth like cool, life-giving water from a deep well.

Watching those whom I had spent a decade or more ministering to and training in ministry step up and flourish was just the medicine this old guy needed.

I am so very grateful for these dear brothers and sisters who each have their own painful stories…yet they stepped up to the plate and enveloped the person we were ministering to with love, compassion and genuine care. It was epic.

I wish you all could’ve been there. It only reinforced my belief that God has indeed orchestrated the timing and deep relevance of this group.

I love every one of you in this group whether near or far away. You are all winners and overcomers and I’m so proud of you. God bless…until we meet again next month…❤️🙏
Mark West

08/18/2025

"Mark, Theotherapy completely changed my life. I will be forever grateful for it and yourself as well as all the other facilitators.

It takes a truly special kind of person to have come into the prison system with so much love, respect, and a nonjudgmental attitude to a bunch of broken and hopeless inmates.

I haven’t been in jail in 20 years. I still recommend the book to so many people and sent it to many. I am in Kansas for the time being. I moved back and took care of my mom before she passed.

Without Theotherapy I would have never had the relationship with her I did. Let me know when you have the information for the zoom call!" From Leah

08/12/2025

In 1991 God called Mark and I to serve in the youth ministry at Belmont Church in Nashville, TN.

Our offices were in a little old house that Belmont Church owned. It was located just behind the main church building.

God called us away from Belmont in 1995. In 2002 He opened the door for us to minister in various prisons throughout the state of Tennessee.

Earlier this year, God began speaking to us about starting a support group for those who participated in our prison program and are now living in the free world.

One of the things we needed was a place to have this support group.

We prayed about it and God, in His sovereignty, has put us right back in that old house behind Belmont Church.

We have many good fun memories of being in that old house and are very grateful to Belmont Church for their generosity in allowing us to meet there.

When Mark began reaching out to those who had graduated from our program, they responded with such enthusiasm and eagerness to participate. Many don't live in Nashville so we are starting a Zoom call for them.

Stay tuned to hear what they are saying and how things are going.

Thank you to all of you who have either served with us inside the prisons or have faithfully supported us financially and through prayer!

We hope to have our supporters join us sometime either in Nashville or on one of our Zoom calls!

05/16/2025

The Theotherapy prison ministry brought the Biblical principles of “God’s Healing” into the corrections environment 23 years ago.

We ventured into the State of Tennessee’s Turney Center Industrial Prison to offer those same principles to the inmates housed there 19 years ago.

In that very first class in 2006, I met Robert Richmond who was pursuing God with all of his heart and he immediately grabbed hold of the principles of “God’s Healing”.

Rob not only was a faithful participant in every single Theotherapy class at Turney Center for many years, he also became a very accomplished teacher and small group facilitator. He really bloomed where he was planted.

A few years ago, Robert was released from prison and he busied himself with transitioning back into society.

He continued to work on his issues, found gainful employment and quickly became a leader with Men of Valor, a transitional housing ministry in Nashville.

Eventually Rob enrolled in the Ministry Leadership course at the esteemed Williamson College in Franklin, Tennessee.

Not only did Rob work a job, he also managed one of the transition homes for men all while attending classes and completing assignments.

Rob worked long and hard and endured all of the challenges, frustrations, joys and satisfaction that earning a college education brings with it.

It was tough, it was grueling…but he stuck with it and determined in his heart to finish well.

Last Friday, I had the very great honor and privilege of attending the college graduation of Robert Nelson Richmond as he earned his Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership.

As he stood there with his fellow graduates, received his parchment, moved his tassel from left to right and received a standing ovation along with his peers…I couldn’t help but praise God Who “doeth all things well”!

The future is bright for Robert Richmond. May God continue to make his path straight in every way. Glory to God!”
Mark West

Please donate to The Theotherapy Project here:
https://theotherapyproject.com/donate

04/23/2025

"I was blessed to not only be a participant in this awesome ministry, but to also become a facilitator!

I was an inmate at TPW and Theotherapy helped me to heal in so many ways. Mark was an awesome facilitator!

I have been home for 12 years in June. JESUS is the GREAT PHYSICIAN and HE will make you whole if you let HIM in.

That means trusting HIM to take
the trauma, abuse, rejection, low self esteem, and anything else that is stealing your joy or keeps you in bo***ge"

❤️ Sonya Ashford

https://theotherapyproject.com/donate/