I launched my first program in 1994 inside a medium security prison in North Carolina. I was hired to launch and teach a Computer Science Associate degree program. I led the program until 2000, with lots of success. For example, I teamed students with local and national business to solve problems; winning multiple awards.

I moved to Tulsa, OK in 2000 and worked for various corporations. I did not do any additional prison work until I was hired by Tulsa Community College (TCC) as an Associate Dean for Business and IT in 2006. In 2007 the college decided to offer classes inside of prisons and prison-diversion programs, and I was asked to lead due to my background. I did so until I left TCC in 2016, again with lots of success. For example my team and I raised thousands of dollars annually to provide education for male and female offenders. In eight years, approximately 500 certificates / degrees were earned; with less than 5% participant recidivism.

In 2016, after I left TCC, it was a major life change for me. I sought the Lord as I labored to answer three pivotal Questions. (1) Who Am I? (2) What Do I Do? and (3) How Do I Do It? The story of the journey to answer these questions could fill a book. So, I will spare you the details and just tell you what God told me. (1) You are an Agent of Hope for those affected by incarceration, trauma, and addiction. (2) You are a Human Potential Catalyst (3) You Intrigue, Inform, and Inspire. (See my website for more details www.gorniewilliams.com)

In 2017 I began working part-time for a prison-diversion program called Women In Recovery (WIR). I provide vocational coaching and workshops. There are approximately 150 women in the 18-month program at any given point in time. I continue in this position today. In 2017 I also joined a team that leads a daily devotional call. People call in at 8:17am CST from all around the world for this 13-minute devotional: (888) 630-4807. I lead on Thursday’s and also upload my monolog to my Podcast each week.

 In 2018 the church I was attending (Church On The Move) decided to launch church campuses inside of prisons, in partnership with God Behind Bars. I led the volunteer teams and launched a men’s campus at Dick Conner Correctional Center, and a women’s campus at Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center. The gymnasium at each prison was equipped to be a sanctuary and hundreds of men and women attended service each week. I stepped down in 2019 and launched my own ministry.

In 2019 I started a (self-funded) ministry to provide small-group leadership training to male and female inmates, and then coach them, and resource them with curriculum to lead small groups in their dormitories. After 3 cohorts this was interrupted by Covid. However, I was able to send care-packages to my inmate leaders during the lockdown.

Between 2017 and 2019 I co-guided a Journey group each year. And at a retreat on Saturday, December 14^th 2019, during a two-hour individual prayer time, the Holy Spirit inspired me to write a two-page prophetic mission statement regarding my part in His upcoming Revival.

In 2021 God confirmed the path I was on, and told me “Full-time Ministry, Part-time Work.”. So, in the midst of a major life crisis, while I continued my work at WIR, I began the process of reinventing myself; all in an effort to become the “Agent of Hope” God has called me to be. I identified new Core Values (Joy, Excellence, & Kindness), and between Oct. and Dec. of 2022, I created a wilderness type experience for myself to seek God.

In Jan. 2023 I convened a Launch Advisory Board to help direct me in fulfilling what God had been preparing me to do during my 90 Day experience. Bryan Craig was a member of my Board and offered the support of Influencers.

On Jan. 7^th 2023, God woke me early in the morning (2 days after my Advisory meeting) and downloaded my Battle Plan in three simple words. God said: FOCUS on the FAMILIAR and have FUN. The first word was "FOCUS". Focus on a specific audience. The second word was "FAMILIAR". Start with what and who you are most familiar with. The third word was "FUN". Have fun. If you are not having fun, you are doing it wrong.

As I meditated on these three words, it became clear that God was saying to:

(1) identify Journey Men and Women willing to Guide behind bars.

(2) conduct 'Guide Behind Bars' small group leadership training and coaching.

(3) continue to identify Christian leaders who are incarcerated.

(4) continue to conduct small group leadership training and coaching inside the prisons.

(5) provide all Journey Group Materials and other resources for our incarcerated leaders to attend a Journey Group.

(6) provide all Journey Group Materials and other resources for our incarcerated leaders to lead their own Journey Groups.

On May 17, 2023 God spoke to me again. He said, “Fill The GAP”. As I thought about all the gaps in ministering to those incarcerated, and I meditated on what GAP could mean, God said to me: The “Great American Prison” Revival. Which immediately brought to mind His prophetic words to me in 2019 regarding my part in His upcoming Revival.

I believe I am the ‘tip of the spear’ for The Great American Prison Revival. Starting in Oklahoma and then traveling to the nation’s prisons, developing and equipping disciples, to reach God’s incarcerated sons and daughters.

Lessons Learned:

• Prison is it’s own ‘world’; with it’s own rules, culture, language, and economy.
  1. Specific training and mentoring are required.
  2. Your Character and Competence will be tested.
     • You must have strong healthy boundaries.
  3. It is better to go in / minister in teams of at least two.
• You are dealing with a population that has significant trust issues.
  1. You will have to build trust based on a proven pattern.
     • you must be prepared to make and keep commitments.
  2. You will also have to earn their respect.
     • Authenticity, Humility, and Servant Leadership garners respect.

• Never assume that a successful ‘First-World’ program will be successful behind bars without modification.
• Men should minister to men, and women should minister to women UNLESS you are uniquely Gifted and Called by God.
  1. Again, you will be tested, and strong healthy boundaries are a must.