About USA
Our Heart
Our heart is for JUMPSTART USA to operate in a way that honors and glorifies God.
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
~ Mark 12:30-31
The Back Story
What is now known as JUMPSTART began in the mid-1990s as an idea among a group of believers who met Christ while serving life sentences. They were heartbroken to see so many people released, only to be returned to prison a short time later. Many of those released were simply unprepared for the challenges they faced upon their return to the community. This group of believers was convinced that before being released, people needed to be prepared by securing a stable place to live and work, arranging transportation, attaining life skills training, and embracing accountability. As a result, JUMPSTART was founded to help others and to break the cycle of recidivism.
Over the years, the organization has experienced tremendous growth as lives have been restored from the inside out. Most of that growth has taken place in South Carolina where JUMPSTART began, but now the ministry also operates in Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and in 2025, Texas. God has orchestrated many people, churches and organizations to develop JUMPSTART into a healthy and thriving organization. Growth and opportunities continue today because God is at work restoring broken lives as many discover Christ and realize their future can be greater than their past. We endeavor to join Him where He is already at work!
Vision
We imagine a day when the back of recidivism is broken in our nation and beyond.
Mission
In partnership with donors, churches, and community partners, we are disciplining the incarcerated and assisting returning citizens with re-entry services.
Core Values
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Accountability
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Responsibility
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Authority
Belief
God’s future is greater
than our past.
Our Goal
100% Success for Those Who
Choose to be Successful
Keys To Success
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Daily Surrender to Christ
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Finding and Keep a Job
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Setting and Keeping a Budget
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Developing a Solid Support Team
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Having Fun God’s Way
Leadership
Ed Troha serves JUMPSTART USA as President. Prior to JUMPSTART, Ed was on the leadership team at the North Carolina Chamber where that state experienced great success advancing economic policy and job growth. He did similar work earlier in his career in Kentucky, Indiana and California. Ed founded and ran a small business for 9 years in Indiana. He is an avid encourager with a love for prison ministry and a desire
to help others realize their potential.
Ed Troha
President
George Benner serves JUMPSTART USA as Executive Director of NC and National Operations Advisor. George loves Christ and desires to share His love with others. He has a passion for prison ministry and enjoys going inside prisons several times a week to volunteer with JUMPSTART, Bible study, church, and re-entry classes. He is also privileged to take men off-site each week for church and fellowship. He feels wonderfully blessed to be in prison ministry and see lives transformed through the power of Jesus Christ. God is raising up strong men and women of God! Praise God!
George has served in various ministries from children to youth to adult and has worked in different industries. Each has been a blessing that God has used to prepare him for prison ministry. Prior to JUMPSTART, George was Director of Data Strategy & Operations at GlaxoSmithKline, and prior to that, he was with BlueCross BlueShield of NC, Siemens Healthcare, and IBM. George developed strong leadership, strategy, and operations skills at these companies and is thrilled to use these gifts for God’s purpose through JUMPSTART.
George Benner
Executive Director, North Carolina and National Operations Advisor
Board Chairman
Daniel T. Sulton
Board Vice-Chair & Secretary
Bob Caldwell, Sr.
Board Member
Chris Phillips
Board Member
Steve Ford
Board Treasurer
Hugh Brantley
Strategic Advisor
Richard Moose
Strategic Advisor
Marcus Sheanshang
Strategic Advisor
Rob Whitner
Strategic Advisor
Tommy Moore
“Remembering those who are in prison, as though in prison with them...”
~ Hebrews 13:3
State Leadership
Georgia
Michael L. Smith
North Carolina
George Benner
Ohio
Brian Moll
South Carolina
Cary Sanders
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
~ Matthew 13:31-32