OUR MISSION IS TO BRING THE GOSPEL OF Jesus Christ TO INMATES IN JAILS, PRISONS, AND JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE WORLD

GVT_headshot_B&W.jpg

Greg Von Tobel

President and Founder

 

Greg founded Prisoners For Christ in 1989 in the offices of Overlake Christian Church (at that time in Kirkland, WA.) Having started ministering in King Co. Jail, he now leads international teams. He continues to lead PFC with integrity and vision.

Click here to read Greg’s biography.

Peyton.jpg

Peyton Burkhart

Yard Out Editor

 

Peyton has been a volunteer/staff editor and writer since 1996 and is the vision and hard work behind Yard Out, our inmate newspaper which is distributed three times each year to over 1,300 institutions across the nation. Peyton has also volunteered inside facilities to bring worship and Bible studies.

Brent.jpg

Brent Hoiosen

Pen Pal Coordinator

 

Brent began his association with Prisoners For Christ in 1993 volunteering as a Bible Study grader. In 2002, the Lord called Brent into a full-time missionary/staff position. For the following almost twenty years (until COVID), Brent and his wife, Carol, ministered to inmates inside jails and prisons in western Washington. Now that they have moved their home base to Idaho, Brent is responsible for the PFC Pen Pal program, while serving again in local jails with Carol.

Linda Holz

Bible Study Correspondence School Coordinator

 

Linda began serving as a volunteer with PFC in August of 2012 as a Bible Study Reviewer. One year later, she became a Team Leader of 8 other volunteers. She served as Team Leader for two different teams over the next 7 ½ years, before joining the staff in November 2020 as BSCS Coordinator. Linda manages the 15 Bible Study School Team Leaders. In addition, she processes all new requests from inmates wishing to enroll in the Bible Study Correspondence School as well as applications from those applying to volunteer as study reviewers.

DaveJezak_BW.jpg

Dave Jezak

Database Architect & Manager

 

Dave met Greg Von Tobel around 1996, becoming fast friends and soon helping PFC with computer issues. Dave served on the PFC Board of Directors for about 7 years and now develops and manages all of the PFC databases, including the main contact/donor/volunteer database, as well as many other niche databases used by staff and volunteers.

Margaret.jpg

Margaret La Pointe

Front Desk, Bulk Mail, and Prayer Team Coordinator

 

Margaret joined our staff in 2006. She coordinates a wide variety of projects ranging from overseeing the Bulk Mail Team volunteers to writing and editing ministry content, sometimes using her knowledge of French to translate or write ministry material to help with our francophone missionary partners. She uses her organizational skills, teaching experience, love of writing, and passion for prayer to run the Front Desk and coordinate the PFC Prayer Team.

Bill Larson

TUMI Coordinator

 

Bill came on board with PFC in 2024 to focus solely on growing the TUMI program (The Urban Ministry Institute) for PFC, as well as managing the volunteer teams and inmate students. Prior to joining PFC, Bill had a variety of church and parachurch ministry opportunities. Bill has served with his wife, Melodee, for several years ministering to single and married couples, including mentoring, counseling and teaching. Bill and Melodee have also taught parenting classes and assisted in the creation of a non-profit organization aimed at bringing church volunteers together with the needy in the community.

Mike_BW.png

Mike North

Vice President of Communication

 

Mike joined PFC in 2012 to handle the duties of the Volunteer Placement Coordinator. With his degree in graphic design, Mike is responsible for creating PFC's print and web media, maintaining PFC's website and social media platforms, as well as analyzing data from these sources to find ways to improve PFC’s outreach. As VP of Communication, Mike oversees the branding and messaging of Prisoners For Christ.

Jill Payne-Holman

Senior Vice President of Operations

 

Jill joined the organization in 2004.  She handles all the major operating issues that pass through the ministry, serves as the bookkeeper for the organization, processes the financial and in-kind donations, and is in charge of Human Resources. Jill also reviews lessons for the Bible Study Correspondence School and the International Certified Prison Worker credential program. She manages the TUMI teams and TUMI student enrollment and plans the international mission trips. Jill is also a PFC pen pal.

Grace Paynter

International Partnership Developer

 

Grace recently retired from the medical field and had been praying for a place to serve for God's glory. PFC hired Grace in November 2021 to assist with many areas of the ministry. One of Prisoners For Christ Outreach Ministries’ initiatives for 2022 was to reach the incarcerated in Central and South America.  Grace transitioned into the position of International Assistant targeting prison ministries in Latin America.  Grace says, “I am so very pleased to be a part of this organization which reaches the unsaved incarcerated all over the world. I am grateful to serve with people who do such a wonderful work for the Kingdom.”

Dee.jpg

Dee Peterson

Director of Discipleship

 

Dee joined the ranks of PFC as a Bible Study Reviewer in 2012. She quickly headed up her own team of reviewers at her home church where her enthusiasm and passion for prison ministry attracted a team of over forty volunteers. Dee also volunteered at King and Snohomish county jails to host Bible studies and CR Inside for several years. In 2019, PFC hired Dee to help with the international side of the ministry, but with COVID-19 causing PFC to pivot its focus and resources in 2020, Dee was placed in charge of our Bible and literature distribution ministry. Dee also reviews lessons for the International Chaplaincy Training Program. Dee is also a PFC pen pal.

Karen Quilantang

Development & Grant Manager

 

Karen joined the staff in 2024 having heard of our ministry from close friends and church family members who are volunteers and donors. She works closely with Greg, focusing on various development projects, including grant writing. Her background includes leadership roles in small organizations building long-term partnerships, technology consulting, magazine and newspaper publishing, and artisan sourdough breadmaking (long before it became trendy). Karen says, "I'm humbled to be a part of this incredible ministry of hope, and grateful to be surrounded by a team of servants with a heart for Jesus and His mercy to every single person on this planet."

Kathleen Retan

Volunteer Placement Coordinator

 

Kathleen was involved with prison ministry through her church for six years. Yet, she was unaware of the resources PFC provides volunteers, chaplains, and inmates. Now, as the Volunteer Placement Coordinator, Kathleen works to get volunteers and programs into prisons that will bless many prisoners and chaplains. “Being part of the PFC team is a blessing beyond expression. I had no idea that one day I would get to be the encouragement to others that I wish I’d had when I served prisoners on my own.”

Rich.jpg

Rich Sheets

I.T. Manager

 

Since 2002, Rich’s knowledge and dedication to PFC’s computer network has been vital to our mission.  Our office computers, phone system, and internet capabilities rely on Rich's expertise.  Simply put, without Rich, PFC could not function as a viable organization on the level that it does today. Rich currently manages PFC’s Information Technology needs from his home in Montana.

Don_BW.jpg

Don Szolomayer

Director of International Affairs

 

Don started with PFC as a volunteer at the Shelton Corrections Center in 1998 and soon expanded to other facilities. He was called to the international side of PFC in 2006 when he took his first trip to Rwanda, Burundi, and D.R. Congo. Don is now a Senior International Group Leader. He was asked to join the PFC staff in 2016 to assist in handling certain areas of the PFC international ministry. He works directly with all the foreign pastors and also assists with the International Bible Institutes, the Certified Prison Workers Course, International Chaplaincy Training School, along with recording the foreign monthly reports and building relationships with new foreign pastors. Don is also the Vice Chairman of PFC’s Board of Directors.