Faithful Presence: The Story That Shaped 60 Years of Prison Ministry
M2W2 Executive Director Steve Roukema with Co-Founder Alice Chambers
For 60 years, M2W2 has walked alongside people impacted by incarceration through mentorship, practical support, and steady relationships.
As the organisation prepares to celebrate this milestone at the Rooted in Hope gala, co-founder Alice Chambers has been reflecting on how the ministry began and what has sustained it over the past six decades. One story in particular captures the heart of the ministry: the story of a man named Eve and the faithful presence that shaped a friendship lasting ten years.
A Ministry Born from a Biblical Calling
M2W2 began in 1966 after Alice, her husband Cal, and other early leaders recognised how many people in prison were lonely, unvisited, and disconnected from outside support. They believed Christians are called to respond personally. So, they led volunteers from local churches into correctional institutions to visit people one-to-one, listen to them, study the Bible with them, and remind them that they hadn’t been forgotten.
For Alice, prison ministry was rooted in obedience to Scripture and in a belief that every person carries dignity. She encouraged volunteers to approach people with love, empathy, and consistency. She also believed they should listen carefully rather than arrive with the intention of fixing someone.
An Unexpected Meeting
One day, Alice arrived at Matsqui Institution and realised she had left her wallet behind. Having no identification should have prevented her from entering, but the prison staff let her in anyway. Alice later came to believe she was meant to be there that day because it was when she met Eve.
Her first impression could have caused her to pull back. Eve was a large, intimidating bodybuilder with tattoos covering his entire body. Yet Alice recalls how God gave her a deep love for him. She didn’t begin by evaluating whether Eve appeared deserving of her time. She saw a person who needed friendship, encouragement, and the opportunity to be known beyond his appearance and his past.
Ten Years of Showing Up
Alice and Cal began visiting Eve regularly. Over time, they became close friends. Their visits included Bible study, conversation, worship services, and ordinary moments of friendship. Alice even taught Eve and another large, tattooed inmate how to knit. The image stayed with her: two bodybuilders knitting heavy wool scarves that would become Christmas gifts.
The story reveals how trust can grow in simple ways. Their relationship was formed through repeated visits, shared activities, listening, laughter, Scripture, and the decision to keep returning. Eve’s transformation didn’t happen quickly. Alice and Cal remained present over the years as he gradually changed his spiritual life, his outlook, and even his appearance. By the time he left prison, he was a completely different man.
Their friendship continued beyond formal prison visits. Alice attended Eve’s wedding, sharing in a moment that would have seemed difficult to imagine when they first met.
Loving Without Controlling the Outcome
Eve’s story didn’t end in a perfectly predictable way. After marrying a former Jehovah’s Witness, he was drawn into that faith and eventually stopped communicating with Alice.
That part of the story offers an important lesson about prison ministry and ministry in general. Faithful service doesn’t give one person control over another person’s decisions. A mentor can listen, pray, encourage, teach, and remain present, but the outcome ultimately belongs to God.
Alice and Cal gave Eve ten years of friendship. They shared their faith with him and witnessed real growth in his life. They also had to relinquish control over the future of that relationship. God’s work in Eve’s life was not theirs to manage.
The Calling Continues
Alice and Eve’s story reflects the conviction that has guided M2W2 since its earliest days: people impacted by incarceration need relationships marked by dignity, patience, truth, and hope.
Many people in prison have experienced rejection, trauma, loneliness, and broken trust. Healing can begin when someone is willing to enter that loneliness, listen without judgment, and continue showing up.
For churches, prison ministry is a practical way to express faith through volunteering, praying, supporting reintegration programs, sharing resources, or helping a congregation better understand the needs of people affected by incarceration. The work doesn’t require perfect words or the ability to solve every problem. It requires compassion, humility, consistency, and a willingness to trust God through a long process.
Alice continued volunteering in prisons until she was 86. Even at 96, she still views her life as a ministry, continues to lead Bible studies, and seeks opportunities to share her faith. Her example reflects the same calling that gave birth to M2W2 in 1966: to remember those who are often forgotten and to meet them with the love of Christ.
Celebrate 60 Years of Faithful Presence
M2W2’s history shows what happens when Christians are willing to enter lonely places, love without judgment, remain present over time, and trust God with the outcome.
This year, M2W2 will gather for the Rooted in Hope gala to celebrate 60 years of this ministry.
The evening will look back on the decade in which M2W2 was founded and honour the people, churches, volunteers, and supporters who helped carry the mission forward. It will also offer a chance to consider how the church can continue walking alongside people impacted by incarceration in the years ahead.
Alice Chambers will be present at the Gala. Guests will have the opportunity to say hello, hear more of her stories, and celebrate what God has done through six decades of faithful presence.
Whether you’ve known M2W2 for a long time or are only just learning about us, we would love for you to join us for this meaningful milestone. Reserve your seats at Rooted in Hope today.
