Wendy Eggert always appeared destined to follow in her parents' footsteps and become a prison chaplain.
"Some of my earliest memories are of waiting outside the old Boggo Road jail for my mother and father to finish chapel services on a Sunday," Wendy said.
"However, the Lord had a plan for me personally: a plan that took me in a number of directions collecting some necessary tools along the way before walking me through the doors of a prison."
Carinity's Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy volunteers such as Wendy have a positive impact on people in Queensland correctional centres.
"Making meaningful connections with prisoners and sharing God's word is definitely what I enjoy the most," said Wendy, who has had many gratifying moments as a prison chaplain.
"One moment would be the privilege of witnessing one of the seemingly toughest women come to faith and then being thrown into the solitary confinement detention unit for something she hadn't done.
"When I visited, she was all smiles and sure the Lord had organised it so that she would have time alone to study her bible and pray. The prison staff were absolutely amazed at her transformation."
Khalie Conteh's journey to chaplaincy began during a five-year stay in a refugee camp in Ghana, after fleeing Sierra Leone.
"Someone visited me and reached me with the gospel. It empowered me to do all things through Christ who strengthens me," Khalie said.
"Through prison ministry I am able to reach people who had lost hope in themselves, but with the assurance of the gospel and the love of Christ, hope is again restored with a smiling face and a 'thank you'."
Greg Osborne enjoys bringing "light, life and love" into the lives of people facing dark times in their life.
"I enjoy being there so that prisoners can ask questions, can receive some input from the Bible, and be encouraged," he said.
"It is the best when prisoners hear and receive God's call on their lives and believe in their hearts and confess their faith in Jesus."
Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy currently has several opportunities to provide pastoral care and chapel services in prisons across Queensland.
"Becoming a chaplain is one of the most rewarding internal sacrifices anyone can undertake," Khalie said.
