Who We Are
Who We Are
Broken and Beautiful started weekly Christian services at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia in 2014. In 2022 we expanded our weekly services to the other Missouri women’s prison, Chillicothe Correctional Center (CCC). We now have over 200 women a week attending our services or classes in prison and close to 500 signed up for our after-release support.
We use our in-prison services and classes to develop a trusted relationship with the incarcerated women based on our common pursuit of a relationship with Christ. Before release, we offer assistance with their home plans and pre-release counseling. After release, we offer our support by providing counseling, peer support, Bible study, a discipleship program and Christian centered classes. Through this we have created a community of women with a common past, united by their relationship with Christ.
Our Mission
Our in-prison ministry is inspired by the woman at the well where Jesus demonstrates His love to a Samaritan woman by revealing His divine appointment. We are inspired by this story as it represents Jesus’ acceptance of this woman regardless of her past and social standing. As she realizes who Jesus is, she immediately feels a love, joy and freedom and acceptance that has evaded her. Through her belief, others came to see Jesus as who He is and believe.
Our message in prison is that there is freedom, love and acceptance for those that accept Christ, and through this you shed your old identity and embrace your new identity in Christ. You join with us as fellow sinners in God’s family! John 4:4-42
Our Vision & Goal
We are a Luke 7:37-47 ministry, as we celebrate women who demonstrate their intense love for Jesus as they are transformed into a life free from the sin, pain, and rejection into a new freedom with Christ.
In these verses, the Pharisee represents a worldly judgement of success and piety. In stark contrast, the woman loves Jesus unconditionally, wiping his feet with her hair and tears. She pours expensive perfume on his feet. She has experienced a transformational life change through Christ, and it is evident in her humbleness, gratitude and love.
We believe those that have been forgiven much, love much, and this is a great example of a women freed from sin and demonstrating her great love for Jesus. This inspires us!