Just for Jesus Urges Public to Investigate Before Judging
By: Barb Consiglio
Updated: May 24, 2010
BROCKWAY, JEFFERSON COUNTY---Ernie Simmons was released from prison and moved in to Just for Jesus Ministries in Jefferson County. The founder of that organization says the public threats and vandalism has gotten out of control.
Jack Wisor says he doesn’t blame the community for fearing for their families and neighbors, but that their anger is counterproductive, and he hopes they will come see for themselves what happens at Just for Jesus.
“I’ve had my life threatened. I’ve had the property damaged repeatedly over and over again,” Wisor said, “We have to have watch at night here because of the cars going by throwing beer bottles, throwing logs at the house, throwing various rocks, and it just goes on and on.”
Wisor said he started Just for Jesus seven years ago to help people, but the organization has been criticized by the public after their acceptance of Ernie Simmons. Now Wisor is hoping that people will take the time to visit them, and get the facts. He says they do a lot for the people who ask for their help.
“I do spiritual counseling. We help them seek out case workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, we work directly with them,” Wisor said, “We work with their case workers. We enable a place to come here so they can work with their case workers. We help them to get their food stamps, their social security, their identification.”
Wisor says Just for Jesus is also in constant contact with the State Police as well as the departments of probation and parole. They are also staffed 24/7 and their residents have constant supervision.
Wisor also says there are strict rules at the house, and that if someone decides not to follow those guidelines and leaves, the police are notified immediately.
Residents also participate in various community service and household chores. Wisor admits that there are people sent to live there who have criminal backgrounds, but that there are residents there from all walks of life.
Gerald Thomas is currently staying at Just for Jesus and said, “I’m not on probation or parole. I don’t have any legal issues, and I was here a year ago. I was here for six months, and I left. I didn’t come back because of a homeless situation. I came back for Bishop Wisor and what this ministry offers me.”
Susan Richards came to Just for Jesus after living outside on a sidewalk. She stayed for two years and now lives in an apartment in DuBois. She said she owes her life to the help she got at Just for Jesus, and is heartbroken by what the community is saying about the organization that gave her so much.
“It’s sad because they don’t know the truth. If they knew the truth they wouldn’t be doing this. They wouldn’t be acting the way they are,” she said, “You know, you try to get them to see the truth, and try to tell them the truth, and they just don’t believe you.”
Wisor said there is currently about 25 people living at Just for Jesus in Brockway, but they have the capabilities there to accommodate up to 38.
He said they take every precaution for everyone’s safety, and that their acceptance of Ernie Simmons is not a threat to the public.
Jack Wisor says he doesn’t blame the community for fearing for their families and neighbors, but that their anger is counterproductive, and he hopes they will come see for themselves what happens at Just for Jesus.
“I’ve had my life threatened. I’ve had the property damaged repeatedly over and over again,” Wisor said, “We have to have watch at night here because of the cars going by throwing beer bottles, throwing logs at the house, throwing various rocks, and it just goes on and on.”
Wisor said he started Just for Jesus seven years ago to help people, but the organization has been criticized by the public after their acceptance of Ernie Simmons. Now Wisor is hoping that people will take the time to visit them, and get the facts. He says they do a lot for the people who ask for their help.
“I do spiritual counseling. We help them seek out case workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, we work directly with them,” Wisor said, “We work with their case workers. We enable a place to come here so they can work with their case workers. We help them to get their food stamps, their social security, their identification.”
Wisor says Just for Jesus is also in constant contact with the State Police as well as the departments of probation and parole. They are also staffed 24/7 and their residents have constant supervision.
Wisor also says there are strict rules at the house, and that if someone decides not to follow those guidelines and leaves, the police are notified immediately.
Residents also participate in various community service and household chores. Wisor admits that there are people sent to live there who have criminal backgrounds, but that there are residents there from all walks of life.
Gerald Thomas is currently staying at Just for Jesus and said, “I’m not on probation or parole. I don’t have any legal issues, and I was here a year ago. I was here for six months, and I left. I didn’t come back because of a homeless situation. I came back for Bishop Wisor and what this ministry offers me.”
Susan Richards came to Just for Jesus after living outside on a sidewalk. She stayed for two years and now lives in an apartment in DuBois. She said she owes her life to the help she got at Just for Jesus, and is heartbroken by what the community is saying about the organization that gave her so much.
“It’s sad because they don’t know the truth. If they knew the truth they wouldn’t be doing this. They wouldn’t be acting the way they are,” she said, “You know, you try to get them to see the truth, and try to tell them the truth, and they just don’t believe you.”
Wisor said there is currently about 25 people living at Just for Jesus in Brockway, but they have the capabilities there to accommodate up to 38.
He said they take every precaution for everyone’s safety, and that their acceptance of Ernie Simmons is not a threat to the public.
Comments
my family and i have lived in brockway for many years and we have never been more scared for our family, friends and ourselves in this little town. rev. wisor and his follwers comments are wrong in the sense that EVERYONE won't listen or understand. alot of us do like what he is doing for the homeless. we just don't want that to include CONVICTED CRIMINALS! this community is made mostly of family w/children and the elderly. rev. wisor is bringing in sex offenders and murders of elderly people! i don't want just for jesus out of our area but i do want the convicted criminals out of here. thank you.
annissa a.
May 18, 2010 at 3:13 pm
