Wayside Cross statement on Thomas Kokoraleis

The full statement released by Wayside Cross Ministries:

Wayside Cross Ministries (WCM) did not seek out Thomas Kokoraleis upon his release from prison. He came to us seeking our help. Ours being a Bible-based, Christ-centered ministry, we are mandated by our Lord Jesus Christ to love our neighbors.

According to Luke chapter 16, anyone in a genuine need is a neighbor. Almost one-third of the residents in our Master's Touch program come to us immediately after being released from one of the many correctional facilities in Illinois. Some are former sex offenders. We do not discriminate.

While participating in our Master's Touch program, many of our residents have experienced permanent spiritual transformation through the power of the gospel of Christ. The Bible clearly commands us to show kindness and mercy toward all, even our enemies, the ungrateful and the wicked. This is because God, Himself is kind and merciful to all (Luke 6:35-36). As a Bible-based, Christ-centered ministry, we are also required by Scripture to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

For more than nine decades, WCM has been committed to empowering the afflicted and the powerless in collaboration with scores of local churches and hundreds of godly mentors.

Recognizing that God is the source of our competence (2 Corinthians 3:5), we are called to help people like Thomas.

God's grace transcends any human depravity and wickedness. Therefore, we hope and pray that Thomas would one day return to society as a God honoring productive member, displaying the amazing transforming power of Christ.

We ask you to join us in this prayer.