Staff Spotlight:
Mary’s Story
Permanent transformation that starts with the heart changes the way you think, changes the way you act, changes the way you talk – that’s the love of Jesus Christ.
Mary Engle knows first hand how transformative the love of Jesus Christ can be. Before she was called to work at Mel Trotter Ministries as the Director of Programs, Mary spent many years working for Prison Fellowship, an organization that works closely with prisons across the country. At Prison Fellowship, Mary would equip teams to minister to men and women who are preparing to transition back into their communities as well as prisoners who will never return home.
JUST AS JESUS SEES US
Mary never intended to work in prison ministry but found the work rewarding. “God gave me a love and a heart to serve the men and the women that were incarcerated, and to see that they are just like me. They did things that were wrong, and I do things that are wrong,” said Mary.
“I get second chances, they deserve that as well.”
The years Mary spent at Prison Fellowship now fuel the passion behind her work at Mel Trotter Ministries. Each day, she brings the same enthusiasm and faith principles to her work. She firmly believes that everyone deserves the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, despite their past.
“We bring in the hope of Jesus Christ, and that’s the key component to any type of transformation,” said Mary. “Permanent transformation that starts with the heart changes the way you think, changes the way you act, changes the way you talk—that’s the love of Jesus Christ.”
Today, Mary finds inspiration in her colleagues—who were once guests but are now fully employed staff members at the Mission. “My co-workers are the warriors,” said Mary. “They are the people I look up to and go to for guidance and direction because they’ve walked through that. They’re phenomenal.”
