Preparing for Release: Journeying Together on the Path to Freedom | Embraced & Empowered 2025

What happens in the months before someone leaves prison, and how can volunteers and churches help? Courtney Stewart, Tina Huston, Daniel Alexander, and Rey Aguilar (on Zoom) talk about why few people feel ready at release, the fears and practical needs of the first days out (IDs, phones, bank accounts, a place to live), and the spiritual footing that carries people through. Moderated by Jeanine Lambert, with audience ideas on connecting people with support where they parole and on understanding prison culture. Speakers • Courtney Stewart, CEO, The National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens • Tina Huston, Christian Science volunteer chaplain (Texas) and Christian Science practitioner • Daniel Alexander • Rey Aguilar, Substance abuse counselor, Partnership for Re-Entry Program (PREP) (on Zoom) • Moderator: Jeanine Lambert, Christian Science volunteer chaplain Chapters 0:00 Welcome, a moment of God's embrace, and the panel 5:42 Courtney Stewart: preparation should come from the church 7:53 Courtney Stewart: the day a church knocked on his door 11:44 Rey Aguilar: impostor syndrome after prison 14:24 Jeanine Lambert: "deer in the headlights" after release 16:25 Tina Huston: parole uncertainty and relying on God 20:52 Tina Huston: IDs, phones, banks, and shopping 24:50 Daniel Alexander: "You have everything that you need" 27:27 Daniel Alexander: shoveling snow with a dustpan 29:57 Daniel Alexander: "Man is not physical, he is spiritual" 33:33 Prison's unwritten rules vs. living under grace 35:20 Audience idea: map chaplains where people parole 37:47 A correspondence chaplain on the first 90 days home 42:01 What is prison culture? Courtney Stewart answers 49:45 Jeanine Lambert: divine Love permeates concrete walls 51:19 Rey Aguilar: expectations, reality, and life skills 55:39 Zoom comment: "Christian Science brought me a family" 1:01:32 Audience: "Who are you becoming?" Links • The National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens: https://thenationalreentrynetwork.org/ • Partnership for Re-Entry Program (PREP): https://partnershipforreentryprogram.... • Volunteer with Embraced:Fully (Angel Teams): https://embracedfully.org/volunteer/ Recorded May 2–3, 2025 at the 3rd annual Embraced & Empowered Prison and Reentry Ministries Conference, hosted by Embraced:Fully at First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D.C. Theme: "Partnering in the Path to Freedom: A Call to Action." All 2025 conference videos: 2025 Embraced & Empowered Conference Embraced:Fully helps people coming home from prison find a community of support, through church-based Angel Teams, mentors, and the free Ready for Reentry course for people still inside. Everyone deserves a community when they come home. Website: https://embracedfully.org/ Volunteer: https://embracedfully.org/volunteer/ Join our monthly Zoom calls: https://embracedfully.org/subscribe/ Support this work: https://embracedfully.org/donate/