This Father’s Day, I want to share with you a sacred moment that took place behind prison walls —a moment you helped make possible.
In the final parental education class this term, the men opened up about their own fathers. Many shared stories of absence, pain, and brokenness. Others had no story at all—just silence where a father’s voice should have been.
So they ended the class differently.
We reached out to a few godly fathers we know and asked them to write blessings—words they would want spoken over a son. Then, in our last session, Our Psychology professor Shanthini, read these blessings aloud to the men. As the words filled the room, some wept quietly. Most just sat in stillness—hearts softened, shoulders slouched, as if laying down a heavy weight.
And then Pastor Knoll prayed a Father’s Blessing over them, grounded in the words of Numbers 6:
“The Lord bless you and keep you…”
He prayed for their courage, for their future, for their healing. He prayed that they would know a Father’s love—not the kind that leaves, but the kind that stays.
One blessing said it best:
“Why do I love you? Because you are mine.”
That’s the voice of the Father they are learning to hear.
And it’s because of your support that they get to hear it.
Thank you for helping raise up spiritual fathers in a place that has known too few. Thank you for being part of the work of redemption.
With gratitude and hope,
Andrew Murphy
Executive Director, Wisconsin Inmate Education Association
