Pastor Jon Kelly leads a thriving and diverse church in a Chicago neighborhood, serves with international ministries like Prison Fellowship, and encourages church planters across the country. His impact is obvious, though his reach used to be limited by incarceration.
To hear him talk about his years in prison is jarring.
Pastor Jon shares his story freely because he personally experienced the transformative power of the gospel and brings that message of hope to all who will listen.
“So many men and women in our pews have been impacted by incarceration,” said Pastor Jon. “They just feel too much shame to talk about it.”
As he breaks down barriers, he has been able to minister to people from every corner of society, inviting them into the community of Chicago West Bible Church.
“The reason we as a church are able to bring hope is because we’re showing them a way the world doesn’t offer.”
Advocating for vulnerable individuals
As he and his church sought to live out Kingdom principles of truth and righteousness, Pastor Jon Kelly found himself advocating in Washington, D.C., for families and individuals impacted by incarceration.
Advocacy work is hard to quantify. Much is done behind closed doors and through relationships.
But on Capitol Hill, Pastor Jon got a front-row seat as he partnered with the ERLC to successfully advocate for the First Step Act, the largest prison reform bill in American history.
“The work the ERLC does is invaluable. If you’re not in those rooms or on Capitol Hill, you don’t really get it,” said Pastor Jon. “You only see what you see on Twitter, X, or Instagram.”
After years of hard work by a coalition of organizations, President Trump signed the First Step Act, creating more opportunities for men and women seeking to turn their life around after incarceration, as well as showing dignity to those in prison, including pregnant women.
“I don’t think people realize how hard that was, but how much God’s grace was in that,” said Pastor Jon.
“One of the things I love about the ERLC is that it takes a lot of humility, emotional intelligence, and wisdom to be able to talk to both Democrats and Republicans and to bring them together in a way that doesn’t compromise our theology or our convictions and is charitable and produces fruit.”
“We’re Kingdom citizens, and in God’s Kingdom, it looks radically different and way bigger than Republicans or Democrats. It’s about righteousness and truth in Christ and unity and oneness in Christ.”
Jon Kelly
