More than a decade ago and within a few weeks after the City of Refuge was organized, based on a vision to minister to “the least and lost in our society,” City of Refuge’s pastor and Elder Carol Vance called on the warden and chaplain of a state prison unit, Jester 3, in Fort Bend County.  

We got permission to come in and do a Bible study.  Attendance was to be on a voluntary basis, of course. Carol Vance, Jim Carroll, Ron Auvenshine and Dan Tidwell began going to the prison every Tuesday night for two hours.

With the inmates, they praised the Lord, had an extended prayer time and systematically studied books of the Bible. After hearing about a Community Bible Study (CBS) class being taught at the Christian prison down the road (Jester 2, now called the "Carol Vance Unit"), the COR team contacted CBS, an interdenominational Bible study for the community offering a wide range of courses welcoming people from all backgrounds and levels of Bible knowledge. At this time, the first CBS class in a regular prison was instituted in America. That CBS program is still going strong at Jester 3.

Three graduated prisoners have gone into full-time prison ministry after release.

This COR ministry has over 50 regular inmate-attendees. Our ministry team has seen men's lives transformed as they have faithfully done their considerable homework each week and have fallen in love with the Word of God. Many have experienced salvation and have begun a totally new walk with Christ. Three graduates have gone into full-time prison ministry after release.

We have also assisted some ex-prisoners upon release with housing and have helped others in their efforts to start again in life in the "free world."  

The COR members, who follow Jesus' call in Matthew 25:40 to visit those who are in prison, are the most blessed of all. This includes many of the members of COR who go out to Jester 3 as part of our special programs at Easter and Christmas. The special holiday events are lead by Pastor Smith, Pastor Russell Thompson and the COR Praise Team, but include many members of COR as well.  Most of Jester 3's approximately 800 inmates turn out for these special events. We can always count on several to accept Jesus in their hearts for the first time when Pastor Smith offers the opportunity at the end of the service.