Team – North Carolina
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“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Jesus Christ
Matthew 25:40 ESV
“Such an impactful video.”
Georgia Phillips
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Leadership
George Benner serves JUMPSTART USA as Executive Director of NC and National Operation Advisor. George and his wife, Sharon, love Christ and desire to share His love with others. They have a passion for prison ministry and enjoy going inside prisons several times a week to volunteer with JUMPSTART, Bible study, church, choir, and re-entry classes. They are also privileged to take men offsite each week for church and fellowship. They feel 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 and Sharon have served in various ministries from children to youth to adult and have worked in different industries. Each has been a blessing that God has used to prepare them 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
"From junior high on, drug and alcohol use influenced me and the choices I made. I was a college basketball prospect in high school, but attending school while intoxicated got me kicked off the team, ending that dream. Another decision involving alcohol in college cost me a semester of scholarship, and I never graduated.
I joined the Army but discovered crack cocaine, and soon, I would do anything to get high. A failed drug test resulted in my discharge. My life spiraled, leading to a crime that sent me to prison with a life sentence.
After twenty years in South Carolina prisons, I made parole and was released; it was a joyous occasion to be free! Today I am married to a godly woman, have a career, and am involved in ministry.
JUMPSTART played an important role during my incarceration. God has shown me a future greater than my past. By His grace, today I serve on the JUMPSTART NORTH CAROLINA team and as a Strategic Advisor to JUMPSTART USA.
By God's mighty power, and with your help, many more volunteers will join those shown below in going behind the razor wire in dozens of North Carolina prisons and more across the United States. 95% of the incarcerated population in our nation will one day be released. We intend to show thousands of men and women that if they will put in the work, there is a hope-filled path from inmate to productive citizen; and that JUMPSTART and its supporters believe they matter."
Rob Whitner
Mission Advancement, North Carolina