Posts by John Rusnak

This very popular Christian quote has been attributed over the years to theologian Francis of Assisi but he never said it. As the linked article states, “it is intended to say that proclaiming the Gospel by example is more virtuous than actually proclaiming with voice.” At unCUFFED we walk the walk. We come alongside kids…

            “This is Prince from Towson. I know this letter is coming out of the blue. But I wanted to make sure you knew I am more than grateful for everything you have done for me. I was blessed to have you on my side even though my outcome was what it was. I am…

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 Working with young boys, incarcerated and charged with egregious crimes can sometimes feel like a recipe for…

This post was originally written in 2015, and now we will be telling Josh’s story at our Celebration on 11/15! I’m locked down in a room for 45 minutes with Pastor George Hopkins because there has been a fight on one of the tiers and they cannot transport young Joshua to see us. It’s a…

In 1 Corinthians, Paul boldly states, “I exhort you, be imitators of me.” This is what we are called to in our Christian walk, to set an example for others by imitating Christ and imitating mature believers who have lead us. Leading up to my incarceration, Joe Ehrmann was a man who gave me great…

Psalm 34:17-18 “The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” A boy can be understandably depressed, upset or angry when he is incarcerated. Perhaps he is remorseful for his actions, feeling guilty and…

Some days you go inside expecting one thing to happen, the plan is changed, and something even better occurs. We planned a Bible Study but God had great conversations in mind instead. CB is being released in two months and he is planning for his future now. He brought me over to his cell to…

I meet weekly with a young man in a Detention Center in Annapolis. He is charged as an adult with a serious crime but has expressed sincere remorse for his actions. I don’t mean “I’m sorry I got caught” but more like “I am sorry that I made so many poor choices that led up…

We met Jacob (pseudonym) at the County Detention Center a few years back. I mentored him for several months before he was sentenced to a 15 year term in State prison for murder. Recently, Kim asked him to tell us the lies he believed that led to his choices and his incarceration. His response is…

After reading this article in the Baltimore Sun, 18-year-old man shot and killed by Baltimore police during pursuit, I was exasperated. The judge had provided leniency for this young man in court one day and he was killed the next after making the choice to return to the game. We never had the opportunity to…