Ben Jennings
I have formal training in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from the Clinical Pastoral Education Program of California Pacific Medical Center. During my course of 20 plus years in Prison Ministry I have ministered by the grace of God all over the state in Prisons and Jails in California, and in other states, Cooke County jail, worked with numerous Chaplains and volunteers over the years. In 2006 I retired from the phone company to do full time ministry. Then in 2007 I took over as Lead Chaplain of the Glenn Dyer Detention Facility. Where I prepared, conducted and schedule religious services and special activities, counsel, advise and interviewed inmates. Manage and trained volunteers and maintain religious literature for each inmate and the Sheriff’s Office in related religious activities. My term ended in the Alameda county jail system which has allowed me to focus more time with family and in ministry. At this time I have added a new ministry in agreement with FUMI and Courtside Prayer of Chicago. Each month we visit the Oakland Courtside Prayer as we pray with and for health, jobs, protection, mercy, families, and receiving Christ as Savior.
Board Member
My wife and I moved to California in April 1979 from Ohio where we both worked for the phone company. Settled in the East Bay where we raised two children. I came to a relationship in Christ Jesus in 1984 at New Hope Baptist Church Oakland Ca. I soon was introduced to FUMI through Allie James and Spergon Hunt in the juvenile hall at 4th and Broadway in Oakland. I have been associated with FUMI ever since that time through these faithful witnesses and servants of the Lord. My wife and I have served at New Hope Baptist Church and FUMI for many years before moving to Contra Costa and serving in the juvenile hall. We eventually joined the Second Baptist Church of Martinez and began to serve inside and outside the church walls. At this time we serve in the Alameda and Contra Costa County jails and juvenile facilities. In 2002 the Lord allowed me to receive the Southern Baptist Convention endorsement as a Chaplain based on my experience and background as a missionary evangelist in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities out of Second Baptist Church. In early 2005 accepted my calling to the ministry the Lord began to move me back to school, began in seminary at Western Seminary in Los Gatos and completed with MA from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Educational Leadership. Already holds the following degrees a BA from St. Mary’s College in Management, a MS from Golden Gate University in Telecommunication Management.
“Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” - Hebrews 13:3