05/16/2026
What a difference one month can make.
Last month, a young man from southern Minnesota walked into his first Mission 29:11 Reentry Breakfast alone. He was carrying the weight of isolation, loss, rejection, and fear. A friend of our ministry had encouraged him to come, but showing up was still a courageous step.
As he sat by himself, one of our mentors noticed him. This mentor has been walking alongside men in prison for nearly fifty years. He did what mentors do: he sat beside him, welcomed him, and reminded him without many words that he did not have to sit alone.
Today, at this month’s Reentry Breakfast, that same young man returned.
This time, he came over smiling ear-to-ear, eager to share about his month. He talked about meeting with a pastor, attending worship services, and hearing messages on anger and suffering that were exactly what he needed to hear.
One month ago, fear had him feeling like his skin was crawling.
Today, he could not stop talking about hope, connection, and next steps.
This is why we gather. This is why mentorship matters. This is why a warm welcome can be more than kindness; it can be the beginning of belonging.
At Mission 29:11 Reentry, we believe no one should walk the reentry journey alone.
