The Impact of Aftercare
- Marco and Amelia Lodewyk
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Back in June we took a day to reflect. We recommitted to dreaming big dreams again, praying big prayers, and being proactive as we stepped into the winter season here in Cape Town!
A few of our dreams & prayers that are actively coming to life:
Amelia started leading a weekly connect group for young families - focusing on moms with babies under three! We have completed two mini series so far and can't wait to dive deeper into the Bible!
We're at the beginning phases of writing a book that we'll publish hopefully in 2027!
Our Hillsong Prison Ministry volunteer team attended the second part to a counselling training, and it was really inspiring, activating, resourceful and equipping! We were handed practical tools that we'll be able to outwork when we serve clients behind bars!
We will be hosting our first ever Prison Ministry Seminar in September!
Also, we wanted to reshare with everyone an overview of what exactly we do in Cape Town, South Africa. Marco and I (Amelia) continue to lead our Hillsong Prison Ministry team that hosts Sunday church/ worship services behind bars, as well as midweek programs, and Aftercare counselling.
The organisation we serve under is: HILLSONG AFRICA FOUNDATION
VISION - BUILDING LIVES THAT WILL BUILD A NATION
MISSION - To help restore families and combat the staggering cycles of poverty, addiction, abuse, and violence in our nation. Our approach is holistic and addresses body, mind, and spirit in order to meet the needs of the whole person and whole family through our various programs.
>> HILLSONG PRISON MINISTRY MISSION STATEMENT <<
To facilitate a successful reintegration of ‘Returning Citizens’ back to communities; equipped with the tools to be law abiding citizens, and healthy and employable members of society.
>> SUNDAYS 2025 WORSHIP SERVICE STATS (JANUARY-JULY)
16 SERVICES
1126 CLIENTS REACHED
557 SALVATIONS
1 SISTERHOOD GATHERING
(Baptism services were postponed - pray with us for favor and opportunity for the future!)
>>MIDWEEK One of our midweek programmes that we lead at the male section is called "STRENGTH," and it is a 6-week course based on the foundational concepts of significance, resilience and courage, while exploring topics including: Identity, Relationships, Anger, Habits & Addictions, and Purpose. This year we've completed 3 courses with over 60 participants.
We have recently launched the female programme called SHINE! We can't wait to share some impact stories from this course soon.
But what happens to the men or women in our programs behind bars when they are released you might ask? Well we have created...
>> AFTERCARE - PATHWAYS FOR RETURNING CITIZENS (or formerly incarcerated clients):
1. RESTART SUPPORT -
Upon release we can bless a Returning Citizen with a Restart Pack (a bag including a Resource booklet, a journal, pen, and hygiene kit). We can take them for a coffee/ light meal and work out a pathway forward for their Aftercare journey.
2. PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT -
We connect an individual to a local psychologist/ social worker/trauma counsellor to evaluate them and their varying level of needs. If they need to reach resources such as rehabs, hospitals, and outpatient programmes we can help point them in the right direction.
3. SKILLS DEVELOPMENT -
To help them become an employable member of society we can connect them to a job journey course which is a programs that they can journey with a coach to pursue a career and give them helpful tools and knowledge for the workforce.
4. NETWORKING & OPPORTUNITIES -
We encourage them to build positive connections through meeting potential employers or attending events that can be beneficial to supporting their reintegration into society and further equip them.
5. SPIRITUAL GROWTH -
Through our Pastoral Care and Local Impact Teams at our local Hillsong Africa Church locations Returning Citizens can find:
CONNECTION - A point person, a mentor, a friend, a familiar face on a Sunday
PRAYER - A person(s) who can pray over an individual's prayer requests and celebrate their praise reports with them in person (or via a phone call during the week).
INTENTIONAL INVITATION - A person who can talk to them about the next steps they can take in their faith, one of which is joining a connect group or upcoming events or gatherings at church where they can find further discipleship and fellowship through Equip Courses such as:
Hopefully that paints a better logistical and strategic picture in your mind. Now, we want to share a few of our recent impactful Aftercare Stories with you:*Please note we use pseudonyms and cover their facial features for our clients on this blog-site for the privacy of the individual.
ETHAN - AFTERCARE STORY
Through our Strength and Agricultural programs, we built a relationship with a young man from Mitchells Plain. After his release from Pollsmoor Prison, we visited his home and began a journey of support and restoration. Ethan has since met regularly with our social worker and is making intentional steps toward a better future. He’s working towards getting his driver’s license and dreams of using his taxi to bring people to church. His love for the local church has inspired his whole family to get involved. With continued support, we believe Ethan will keep moving forward with strength and purpose.
MARTIN - AFTERCARE STORY
We met Martin at Pollsmoor Prison, where he stood out as a leader in our Bible studies and small groups. Since his release, he’s worked closely with our social worker, courageously confronting his pain from the past and is now choosing a new path. Despite challenges, he has stayed committed to change—turning away from old influences and staying rooted in a healthy church community. Martin recently secured a job, signed a new contract, and remains determined to live a life his family can be proud of. His journey is a powerful testimony of hope, healing, and perseverance.
JOSHUA - AFTERCARE STORY
Joshua spent a few years in prison at Pollsmoor. He got involved in our Strength program. He actively participated and shared his deep desire to not return to the correctional centre. He had so much potential and strong leadership qualities, and we knew that with the right guidance, he could build a better future. After his release, we were able to help him find temporary accommodation. Later, we assisted him in securing employment, where he quickly became loved by both staff and management. Joshua demonstrated remarkable resilience—despite facing many challenges, he never gave up. This year marks two years since his release, and he has been employed for a year and a half now too. He currently works at a local restaurant, rents his own apartment, and attends one of our local Hillsong Africa locations. He has also reconnected with his family, whom he hadn’t seen or heard from in years.
BEN - AFTERCARE STORY
Ben was also one of the men we met at Pollsmoor Prison. He has been in and out of prison since the age of 16. Ben sat very quietly in our session, taking everything in. He later graduated from the program, and when he was released, we contacted him and had lunch together. We then assigned him a mentor, and they met weekly to discuss his future plans and the challenges he was facing. Through one of our networks, we helped him join a Job Journey course. He completed the two-week course, and his wife was able to attend the graduation. She whispered to one of our volunteers, “This is the first good thing he’s ever achieved.” After graduation, Ben faced some health challenges, but that didn’t discourage him from pursuing his vision. He is now employed full-time at a gas station as an attendant with Returning Citizen and friend Kurt. He has turned away from a life of crime and is now hardworking, provides for his family, and his wife and children can now experience him as a responsible father.
-A SUNDAY STORY-
One the first of June we had such a powerful and inspiring morning in church! A young man approached one of our volunteers at one of our local church locations (that we happened to be visiting that Sunday!) The young man recognised our friend Quinton, who had shared his testimony at our prison service and said, “Sir, weren’t you speaking at the prison a few weeks ago?” Our friend said, "Yes I was, were you there?" It's always a bit of a shock when we see men and women outside of their bright orange or yellow correctional jumpsuits. The amazing part of this story, is this young man brought his dad with to the service! We also had the opportunity to pray for his father for healing. They were so moved by the warm welcome. We have since connected this young man into our Aftercare pathway and he will begin the job readiness journey program in August!🙌🏽
God has been moving in incredible ways throughout our services and programs behind bars here in South Africa. We never get tired of seeing salvations of men and women that are committed to living a changed life while they continue to serve their sentence and seek support upon their release. Even the correctional officers are impressed with our team's impact! So much so, that one specific officer is opening the doors to us to come start a midweek program with the juvenile boys' section.
In recent months though as a family it has been really trialing and stretching for us. The main cause of the stress has been a lack of finances. We are simply not meeting our monthly goal.
While it is a privilege to serve full-time as missionaries, our financial needs are very real and critical in supporting ourselves which includes our two teenage sons, as well as our little girl. Marco does receive a small monthly salary to compensate for some of our basic needs, but it only covers about 15% of our overall monthly needs. We are also hoping to travel to the USA for a few weeks in September/ October. It has been four years since Amelia has been to the USA to see loved ones, and Marco has not been back since we got married five years ago. We would love for everyone to meet Ava, do some more fundraising and networking in person, and complete some overdue admin that's necessary to do in person, and squeeze in much more!
Giving Details Below!⬇️
Also, choosing the monthly support gift option is really helpful for us- and any amount you are able to give monthly or one-time is highly appreciated!
FOR TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS:
1. DONATE ONLINE!
(USA & Int’l Cards accepted)
2. MAIL CHECKS:
World Outreach Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
(designate for #975 Lodewyk)
3. BILL PAY: free option via your Online Banking
(use the same info for checks)
Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. We look forward to speaking with you! Also we'd love to see you when we visit (God willing), so please let us know when we could connect!
With Love,
The Lodewyk Family
P.S.: Check out ways you can support us and pray alongside us on the Support Us tab above! And make sure you are subscribed to our blog to get the newest updates instantly in your inbox!
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