A sheriff’s deputy, who used to serve at Hall County Jail in Georgia, alleged that he was fired from his job last month for conducting Bible study classes that he believed would help improve the lives of former inmates.
“It was to help rehabilitate spiritually the guys who are pretty much coming out of jail,” Josh McCuen told the media.
McCuen had completed eight months as the sheriff’s deputy at Hall County Jail when he started an outside Bible study class for inmates who had already been incarcerated. He also started to raise funds for Bibles to be placed inside the prison’s cells alongside serving as an administrator on a Facebook page for his ministry, Revival 172.
“About 4 months ago, while working in the jail, I came across an [inmate] Jason Williams, who God used to change my life,” he explained on the page. “God grabbed a hold of me and gave me a love for the lost. I was a law enforcement officer for 9 years, and up until 4 months ago, I thought that every suspect I arrested and every inmate was a maggot. God used an inmate to minister to me and God placed me in a jail around these guys every day to show me that they are still his people, too.”
McCuen alleged in mid-January that he was asked to resign or be fired after being told by his superiors that fraternizing with inmates was a violation of the prison’s policy. However, McCuen firmly believes that he was not committing any wrongdoing by helping former inmates improve their lives.
“Never once did I preach Revival 172 inside the jail,” he told the media. “Never did I fraternize.”
On the other hand, Sheriff Gerald Couch argued that McCuen was wrongly accusing his employers of firing him for being Christian. Couch also clarified that McCuen’s religious affiliation had nothing to do with his termination.
“I have a strong Christian faith and neither I nor anyone at the sheriff’s office would ever persecute someone for their faith, whatever that may be,” he wrote in a statement. “The supervisor discussing this issue did not make any reference to religious beliefs or actions, but this was brought up by McCuen as a reason for his improper behavior.”
According to the sheriff’s department, McCuen had been warned twice for failing to act as a subordinate with regards to the jail’s policy against fraternizing. It also drew attention to the fact that the prison itself organizes religious services on a weekly basis and provides Bibles to those inmates who request them.
After being fired, McCuen wrote on his Facebook page that he would divulge more details about the incident, as he believes the entire story needs to be told.
“Some things need to be brought to light that were not brought to light by the media,” he wrote. “They only can air a little bit and that’s understandable.”
Yet, McCuen refused to file a legal challenge over his firing, saying God will show him the path that lies ahead.
“I hold no anger or resentment toward anyone at the Hall County sheriff’s office. I thank them for allowing God to use them as a vessel to put God’s plan into motion,” he stated. “I know God will provide a job without me seeking financial restitution from a lawsuit.”
Photo Credits: WSB-TV Atlanta
