Overview

Inside Out offers a solution when the souls of men, in this case, of incarcerated men, are at stake. As higher education faces waves of criticism--a lack of demonstrated value, not holding its worth as an investment, and being a costly waste of student time--the personal stories of students in this book offer a solid rebuttal. Through personal narratives, this collection displays Christian higher education's greater purpose in equipping the hearts of incarcerated men. This book reveals a compelling case for how transformative learning challenges students from the inside out. In a compelling display of character, hope, and inspiration, the blend of student voices shares less about their crimes and more about their transformation. Inside Out demonstrates soul work in higher education. Faculty will learn strategies for teaching from student perspectives. Future students will be inspired to undertake their own personal learning journeys. All audiences, particularly people of faith, will be nudged to nurture their own spiritual walk.

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Reviews

""The author of Hebrews tells us that we should 'not neglect those in prison.' My experience with the students of the OBU PDP program, including those who have authored chapters in this book, has brought this command to life. These men readily acknowledge their need for Jesus, are on fire to share Jesus with those who don't know him, and are passionate about learning the truths of God's word and passing those truths on to others. The testimonies in this book can help bring this same experience to life for readers and perhaps prompt the same kind of work in other areas of the country and beyond."" --Matthew Y. Emerson, Co-Provost, Oklahoma Baptist University ""In a place that many consider hopeless, individuals are spreading hope to their incarcerated brothers. The work of Dr. Perkins and Oklahoma Baptist University is changing paradigms behind prison walls and paying dividends for generations of Oklahomans. These stories, written by those going through the OBU Divinity Program, are powerful reminders that no one is too far away from the love of Christ."" --Kevin J. Stitt, Governor, Oklahoma ""From the first narrative story to the last, Inside Out--penned by the first cohort class of the Oklahoma Baptist University Prison Divinity Program in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections--affirms and adds further confirmation that the Prison Seminaries Foundation model for inmate theological education does indeed produce 'moral rehabilitation.' The stories of the students are both gripping and inspiring in revealing that a liberal arts education that is biblically based and Christ-centered can produce culture change even among those incarcerated. I am grateful for the work of Dr. Bruce Perkins, Director, and the support of President Heath Thomas of OBU in making this program a high priority in the legacy of the university. May God continue to bless their work in the years ahead."" --J. Denny Autrey, Director of Operations, Prison Seminaries Foundation ""The author of Hebrews tells us that we should 'not neglect those in prison.' My experience with the students of the OBU PDP program, including those who have authored chapters in this book, has brought this command to life. These men readily acknowledge their need for Jesus, are on fire to share Jesus with those who don't know him, and are passionate about learning the truths of God's word and passing those truths on to others. The testimonies in this book can help bring this same experience to life for readers and perhaps prompt the same kind of work in other areas of the country and beyond."" --Matthew Y. Emerson, Co-Provost, Oklahoma Baptist University ""In a place that many consider hopeless, individuals are spreading hope to their incarcerated brothers. The work of Dr. Perkins and Oklahoma Baptist University is changing paradigms behind prison walls and paying dividends for generations of Oklahomans. These stories, written by those going through the OBU Divinity Program, are powerful reminders that no one is too far away from the love of Christ."" --Kevin J. Stitt, Governor, Oklahoma ""From the first narrative story to the last, Inside Out--penned by the first cohort class of the Oklahoma Baptist University Prison Divinity Program in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections--affirms and adds further confirmation that the Prison Seminaries Foundation model for inmate theological education does indeed produce 'moral rehabilitation.' The stories of the students are both gripping and inspiring in revealing that a liberal arts education that is biblically based and Christ-centered can produce culture change even among those incarcerated. I am grateful for the work of Dr. Bruce Perkins, Director, and the support of President Heath Thomas of OBU in making this program a high priority in the legacy of the university. May God continue to bless their work in the years ahead."" --J. Denny Autrey, Director of Operations, Prison Seminaries Foundation

Author Information

Bruce A. Perkins has been a pastor and educator for fifty years. He is the founding director of the Prison Divinity Program, which offers a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Baptist University to incarcerated men in the Oklahoma prison system. The program is the first of its kind in the state. He is a 2025 Oklahoma Baptist University Walter O. Mason, Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame inductee for his work to bring transformative education to Oklahoma's incarcerated population. Jeanetta D. Sims is a 2023 Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame inductee, thirty-plus-award-winning scholar, and professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is the founder of Diverse Student Scholars, an interdisciplinary program of undergraduate research engagement, which was recognized with a 2022 DaVinci Award for creativity in Oklahoma higher education. As a former coeditor of the Journal of Transformative Learning and cofounder of the Transformative Learning Conference Proceedings, this is her third coedited book on transformative learning.

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