Chaplain Pete Bandstra
Born in Paterson, NJ in 1945, Pete grew up in a strong Christian home. After graduating from high school, Pete began a 31-year career in the telephone industry. In 1979, Pete moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he continued his work as a Telephone Engineer until he retired in 1993. After early retirement, God led him to the Christian Care Center's Mens' Rescue Mission in Leesburg, FL, where he served as the Director. Pete attended the Homestead Bible College and was ordained by the Southern Baptist denomination in 1998. On November 1, 1998, Pete became a full-time Chaplain with Good News Jail & Prison Ministry at the Lake County Jail. Pete lives in Leesburg, FL, with his wife, Bonnie.
Lake County Jail Ministry. Chaplain Pete Bandstra is our missionary to those incarcerated in the Lake County Detention Center (jail). He has been Chaplain at the invitation of the Sheriff and the Detention Center Administrator since November 1998. As the Chaplain, he makes the first contact with inmates and he supervises 50 volunteers who help him minister to a daily inmate population of over 1,100 men and women. These volunteers provide Church services (including some in Spanish), Bible studies, parenting classes, anger management classes, and one-on-one mentoring for inmates who seek God in their life. Special challenges are working with people who have never heard the Gospel. It is rewarding to see many of these acknowledge Jesus as Savior with dramatic changes in their lives. Chaplain Pete also provides ministry to the 265 employees of the Detention Center. Chaplain volunteers from Trinity include Deanna Howell, Rod Freeman, and Gary Ensign.
Good News Jail & Prison Ministry of Richmond Virginia currently has 102 chaplains in the United States and 320 chaplains in 21 countries overseas. Each chaplain is responsible for his/her own support. They look to local churches, businesses, and individuals for their entire support. All money raised in Lake County goes directly to the support the Lake County Jail Ministry. This year's budget is $74,750. Trinity 's support is $100 per month plus individually designated gifts, donations of Bibles/Christian books, and the Mailbox Club (Bible correspondence) to children and family members of inmates. Joyce Saladin corrects all Mailbox Club lessons. Robb and Mary Lou Mathias faithfully support all inmate prayer requests.
(Updated March 2009)