Local Ministry Talks about Allowing Convicted Killer to Live There
By: Brian Thompson
Updated: May 15, 2010
BROCKWAY, JEFFERSON COUNTY - A Jefferson County minister is getting backlash from the community of Brockway after he decided to allow convicted killer Ernie Simmons to live at his ministry.
Bishop Jack Wisor says he thought about quitting the ministry altogether after the community started protesting him and his ministry, but he decided he couldn't do that to the people that depend on him for a place to live.
Wisor says that people in Brockway have been throwing glass bottles, trash and even logs at his ministry on Route 28. They've even threatened his life after he decided to allow Ernie Simmons to live there. Wisor says Just for Jesus takes in anyone with nowhere else to go, and that will include released inmates as long as the law allows.
He feels like he is protecting the community, as his ministry works with the State Police and the Department of Corrections and was approved by them to house released inmates. Anyone who stays at one of their shelters has to abide by a curfew, work around the ministry and work on themselves. Wisor hopes people in the community will realize that even released inmates have to have somewhere to live, and he says it's better for the community and the person staying there to be in a structured church environment.
Right now, there are 25 people living at the Just for Jesus ministry. According to Wisor, over 700 people have come and gone in the last seven years.
Bishop Jack Wisor says he thought about quitting the ministry altogether after the community started protesting him and his ministry, but he decided he couldn't do that to the people that depend on him for a place to live.
Wisor says that people in Brockway have been throwing glass bottles, trash and even logs at his ministry on Route 28. They've even threatened his life after he decided to allow Ernie Simmons to live there. Wisor says Just for Jesus takes in anyone with nowhere else to go, and that will include released inmates as long as the law allows.
He feels like he is protecting the community, as his ministry works with the State Police and the Department of Corrections and was approved by them to house released inmates. Anyone who stays at one of their shelters has to abide by a curfew, work around the ministry and work on themselves. Wisor hopes people in the community will realize that even released inmates have to have somewhere to live, and he says it's better for the community and the person staying there to be in a structured church environment.
Right now, there are 25 people living at the Just for Jesus ministry. According to Wisor, over 700 people have come and gone in the last seven years.
Comments
If you think this is a black or white thing then you are the pathetic one. There are numerous black people living in our community. Let me ask you a question, do you know Jack Wisor? How can you say he is a respectable person? Have you been to our protests and watched the way Jack and "his people" act? Furthermore, maybe we should drop him off at your doorstep and see exactly how you feel about that.
Melissa F.
May 22, 2010 at 11:31 pm
At least theres one respectable person in brockway or jefferson county and thats Jack Wisor. Whats wrong with these montain idiots. If Ernie Simmons was white nobody would give a care. But since Ernie's black and this is central pennsylvania its gotta be on the news literally a dozen times a day. Pathetic if you ask me.
Bob B.
May 18, 2010 at 7:59 pm
