The History of Friend's Fellowship

 

Friend’s Fellowship is a ministry to women incarcerated. The ministry was birthed in Tulsa, Oklahoma in February 1982 under the leadership of Madeline Mims, an Olympic athlete.  After visiting the Indiana Women’s Prison, she felt a need to expand her ministry to Indiana.

 

The ministry was granted a certificate for admission by the Indiana Secretary of State on April 18, 1984. The ministry began operating under the name “Free in Jesus Prison Fellowship”.

 

Roe Farris became a volunteer of the ministry under the leadership of Madeline Mims.  In 1986 Rev. Farris became the director of the Indiana Chapter. In December of 1992, we became an independent organization and recognized as Friend’s Fellowship of Indiana, Inc.

 

The ministry grew under the leadership of Rev. Farris and her assistant, Rev. Ruth Winstead.  Following 30 years of service from Rev. Farris and 25 years of service from Rev. Winstead, both women retired from the ministry in 2012. 

Delores Epps, a long time volunteer for Friend’s Fellowship, is now Director.