Ep. 218 - Joe Ingle "God behind bars: Dignity, Justice & Prison Ministry" pt. 2

Episode Overview

In this second half of John’s conversation with Pastor Joe Ingle, we continue exploring the deeply human, often heartbreaking realities of prison ministry — particularly Joe’s decades of work with individuals on death row.

If Part 1 introduced the calling and contours of his work, Part 2 steps fully into the emotional, spiritual, and ethical complexities of walking with people whom society has condemned and often forgotten. Joe shares stories from his time working with incarcerated individuals, the end-of-life moments he has witnessed, the failures and blind spots of our justice system, and the surprising ways grace and humanity still break through in the darkest circumstances.

This is not a conversation about abstract theology or distant policy — it’s about presence, dignity, and the costly practice of seeing people when no one else does.

In This Episode, We Explore:

👉 Joe’s experiences accompanying individuals through their final days and hours

👉 What capital punishment looks like from the inside — spiritually, emotionally, and practically

👉 The toll this work takes on families, communities, and those who minister in these spaces

👉 How systemic failures and racial inequities shape incarceration and sentencing

👉 The difficult conversations Joe has had with death row inmates — and the moments that stay with him

👉 The theological and moral implications of state-sanctioned execution

👉 Why Joe believes presence, not answers, is the most powerful form of ministry

👉 How his experiences have shaped his own understanding of justice, mercy, and the Gospel

Why This Conversation Matters

Pastor Joe’s work forces us to confront the human cost of our justice system — not through statistics or talking points, but through stories of real people with real families, real trauma, and real hope.

His ministry challenges us to consider:

• What does justice actually mean?
• What does mercy look like when lives hang in the balance?
• What does faith ask of us when the systems around us fail?
• And how do we honor the humanity of those our society has discarded?

These questions aren’t easy — but they’re necessary. And Joe brings decades of lived experience to help us wrestle with them.

About Pastor Joe Ingle

Pastor Joe Ingle is a long-time prison minister, author, activist, and advocate for people on death row. For decades he has been a steady presence for individuals facing execution, providing pastoral care, support, and companionship in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. His work has shaped national conversations on criminal justice reform and continues to call the Church toward deeper compassion and accountability.

Listen to Part 1

If you missed the first half of this conversation — including the origin of Joe’s calling and the stories that shaped his approach to justice — be sure to listen to Part 1.

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