Jeff Burkhardt

Called to Serve

Jeff Burkhardt

 

FLINT, Michigan — For years Jeff Burkhardt was looking for direction. He wanted to find his niche — the place from which he could serve his community as he felt called.

And it wasn’t as if Burkhardt had been sitting on the sidelines of service, either. He had been a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, worker on mission trips and a youth sponsor.

Still, something was missing.

On a Sunday afternoon at First Presbyterian Church of Flint, Jeff, along with his wife Mary Ann, stumbled upon a booth for Forgotten Man Ministries at a missions fair in the church’s parish hall.

“My wife said ‘now there’s a ministry I bet you would like to do, get some information,’” said Burkhardt, 39, of Flushing. “I talked with Chaplain Al Novak about their ministry and my interest was piqued. I thought the idea of going into the jail and talking with inmates about Christ was exactly what I have been prepared to do.  

“I signed up for the Chaplaincy training and never looked back.”

Burkhardt started out meeting one on one with inmates who expressed interest in talking about faith. He served in this capacity for year before being accepted as an associate chaplain — a position that gives him full access to the Genesee County Jail. 

These days, Burkhardt holds two-hour-long Bible studies on Wednesdays at the jail.   

It’s ironic that Burkhardt credits the stories of the Apostle Paul — who spent his share of time in jail — for his conviction to share his faith. “Deep inside of me I know that (sharing my faith) is exactly what I am called to do,” he said.  

15 years ago, Burkhardt took a training course on evangelism founded by D. James Kennedy. During the training, Burkhardt would travel to local malls and pass out questionnaires and engage the public about spiritual issues.

“I believe this was God’s way of preparing me for what was to come,” Burkhardt said. “I know I’m exactly where God wants me to be and the peace and joy from this journey with Christ is exciting to say the least.”

During his journey, he has been blessed by the vulnerability of the men who have little compunction about needing a savior. 

“Those who have hit rock bottom are more open to Christ than those who seem to have life all figured out without him,” he said. “The inmates can be so genuine and hold nothing back about what they have been through and how Christ is working in their lives even through a tough situation. Some of these inmates are facing an uncertain future at best but you can see God’s peace, joy and contentment as they face life head on with Him. Hope is what these inmates need and it’s what Christ offers.   

“Some of these inmates outfits are county orange but through Christ they might as well be bleach white.” And where others see time away from home, work and play, Burkhardt sees opportunities. 

“I am so blessed that God is using me to share with each one of these inmates that God loves them, he died for them, there is hope in Him, and that they can have eternal life through faith in Christ and his blood that paid the penalty for all of our sins.   

“Some of these inmates have so many questions and the answer always is Christ.” 

Anyone interested in serving alongside Burkhardt as a volunteer is encouraged to call Forgotten Man Ministries at (810) 238-7102.