The Church of the Highlands’ Correctional Ministry has become a beacon of hope and transformation within Alabama’s correctional facilities. Led by Associate Pastor Dino Rizzo, this ministry has grown significantly since its inception. Today, it positively impacts many inmates, their families, and the broader community.
Origins and Growth
The Correctional Ministry began back in 2011—when a church member approached Montgomery Campus Pastor Chris Erwin about bringing the church’s message of hope to Alabama’s prisons. With enthusiastic support, the ministry launched its first program in a correctional facility. Today, it serves 25 of the state’s 28 prisons, with aspirations to reach all 28 soon.
Comprehensive Support and Services
The Correctional Ministry provides a full spectrum of services to inmates, mirroring the experiences offered at other Highlands locations. As Associate Pastor Dino Rizzo says, “We serve them, love them, listen to them, connect with them, and care for them.” This commitment includes regular Sunday services, small groups, and special events like Family Fun Days and Freedom Conferences.
The Freedom Conferences, held four-six times a year, rotate between different prisons, creating a dynamic environment in which inmates can engage deeply with their faith.
Tailored to Inmates’ Needs
The ministry begins by asking facility staffers about their specific needs. It then builds programs to meet those requirements. This approach ensures that the ministry is spreading the faith and addressing practical and emotional needs within the correctional facilities.
“We do all we can to create ministry that touches them at the point where they are,” Dino Rizzoexplains. “We aren’t just connecting them to God—we’re connecting them to a community of people on the inside that is trying to walk in their faith.”
Impactful Programs and Stories of Change
The Correctional Ministry has a profound impact on the inmates, correctional officers, and the church community itself. Amanda Drew, for instance, found salvation while incarcerated. After being baptized by Pastor Erwin, she was paroled and immediately connected with Highlands College. She now serves as a teacher’s assistant there and leads initiatives like the Letters of Hope program.
“When you’re locked up, you’re in a state of despair. Some inmates get no calls, no letters, no visitors. These letters are their only connection to hope,” says Drew.
Jose Villegas, another success story, now serves as a coach at the Alabaster Campus. He recently started a Spanish service at the Kilby Correctional Facility, further expanding the ministry’s reach.
Beyond the Prison Walls
Church of the Highlands also assists former inmates in re-entering society. The ministry partners with various resources to help individuals transition smoothly and find their purpose post-incarceration.
As Dino Rizzo notes: “We partner with different resources so that when they finish their sentences, we can help them bridge that connection.”
Encouraging Broader Participation
Pastor Dino Rizzo hopes other churches will be inspired to start similar programs.
“When I received Jesus, I was adopted into a huge family that will be there for me, no matter what. They will encourage me and pray for me and will not ever be done with me,” says Drew, emphasizing the importance of community support.
The Correctional Ministry at Church of the Highlands, under the guidance of Pastor Dino Rizzo, demonstrates the transformative power of faith and community support within the prison system. By addressing both spiritual and practical needs, this ministry is changing lives behind bars while fostering a broader sense of community and purpose.
About Dino Rizzo
Dino Rizzo, a 35-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades. Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, Dino Rizzo also founded Servolution.
In addition, Dino Rizzo is the President of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), where he oversees the planting of over 1,000 churches worldwide. He is also on the Senior Leadership Team at Church of the Highlands and is the author of Serve Your City: How to Do It and Why It Matters.
