Who We Are

HISTORY con't:

Christian Journey Courses (CJC), previously known as Christian Women’s Job Corps of Kendall County, opened its doors to the first group of 11 women on March 7, 2005. In 2008, the organization added the Christian Men’s Job Corps® (CMJC) Program and reincorporated as the Christian Job Corps of Kendall County, offering programs for both women and men. The CWJC® and CMJC® are proprietary programs of the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), Birmingham, Alabama. 

At the end of 2021, we embarked on another exciting mission. The Lord opened the opportunity for us to offer life-skills and behavioral transformation Courses to those incarcerated in the Kendall County Jail. We began with the women inmates in 2022 and added the men inmates in January 2023. We are truly seeing lives changed before our very eyes. After merging with Bandera County in January 2023, we added Bandera County Jail inmates to our training agenda. We also shared our curriculum and partnered with Mercy Gate Ministries in Kerrville to offer the same programs to Kerr County Jail inmates. 

WHY WE EXIST:

Many people in the counties we serve are trapped in cycles of dysfunction due to a lack of resilience, guidance, and hope. Without exposure to strong values or positive role models, they become vulnerable to harmful behaviors and influences. This is often reflected in daily news reports from San Antonio, where acts of violence and emotional outbursts show a deep inability to cope or empathize.  Social media, gaming, and instant communication can amplify and normalize negative behaviors. Sadly, many adults pass these patterns on to children, modeling substance abuse, exploitation, and emotional instability as “normal.” As a result, many young people grow up without learning self-control, empathy, or responsibility. They come to believe life revolves around their desires, often acting without regard for others.

By age 10, a child's core values are mostly set. Studies show early trauma and victimization are strongly linked to criminal behavior, addiction, and mental health struggles later in life. The rise in teen suicide, drug use, and incarceration reflects this painful reality. These children often grow into adults unequipped to handle life’s challenges, repeating the same cycles of harm.

To change this trajectory, we must invest in early intervention, positive role models, and support systems that build emotional strength, character, and hope for a better future. 

PREPPED FOR LIFE, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS:

CJC helps unlock the future for probationers and others by offering them a way to break dysfunctional life patterns in order to find their true identify and a new beginning. The goal is to help them become healthier, happier, more productive people by dissolving self-imposed obstacles and limitations that we often place on ourselves.  Often, the answer to one’s future is in their past. If someone is suffering from past or present hurts, our programs can help the healing process. Our Course in not a substitute for professional therapy, but is an adjunct.

A seasoned cadre of volunteers called Wellness Advocates guide clients through our Course and provides them with encouragement, guidance, and prayer throughout their journey.

INMATE PROGRAMS:

CJC’s programs are designed to address the root causes behind criminal behavior, specifically the lack of character formation and emotional development during childhood. We see offenses not just as isolated acts but as symptoms of deeper issues. Our approach focuses on healing those underlying wounds through structured, values-based intervention. Our goal is for participants to adopt new, healthier frameworks for living that empower them to make better choices for themselves and their families. 

CJC’s Inmates – Prepped for Life Course equips both men and women inmates  by helping them uncover their true selves and transform their journey to a renewed life. We foster personal growth, resilience, and renewed purpose, leading to a community where everyone has the opportunity for a fresh start and a fulfilling life. We help them navigate their path toward better life-choices and a new beginning.  We work with our students strengths and encourage them towards God’s intended path. The goal is to help them become healthier, happier, more productive people by dissolving self-imposed obstacles and limitations that we or others may have placed on ourselves.  Often, the answer to one’s future is in their past. If someone is suffering from past or present hurts, our programs can help the healing process.  Currently, the Inmates – Prepped for Life program is offered inside the Kendall County and Bandera County Jails. Our Course in not a substitute for professional therapy, but is an adjunct.

We are funded by public donations and some grants. We do not accept government funding that would restrict our mission. CJC is transforming lives, please donate now! 

CJC maintains ministry certification from the national WMU organization.