Our Story

I'm Jay Dan Gumm and I'm a FORGIVEN FELON. I have a georgous wife, Jessamy, and two beautiful daughters, Jessa Lynn and Jemma Grace. The dream of Forgiven Felons began in prison. 

I served three years on two five year sentences for DWI's. I was an alcoholic, drug user, and overall party guy. I ran off a bridge with a .267 BAC and nearly died in 2001. But it wasn't until I went to prison that my eyes were opened. I immediately got involved in gambling and looked for cigarettes as much as possible. I didn't care about serving the Lord.

On September 18,2003 I got into a fight that landed me in AD/SEG (solitaire confinement). I spent eight days there talking with God. This prodigal son came home. After growing up in church and knowing about God, I finally decided to start pursuing a relationship with him. That's the difference. My relationship grew stronger in the last two and a half years in prison as I began to disciple, mentor, and preach. I saw guys get out serving the Lord and were back in before I got out. I hated that and I wanted to make a difference.

I was praying one day in my cell asking God for a way to take away the label of "felon" in my life. And he said, "NO, embrace it." Then he went on to say, "Don't just be a felon, be a forgiven felon."

So with the passion of seeing guys get out and stay out, along with my label, came the Forgiven Felons ministry. I was released on April 18, 2006, married Jessamy on April 18, 2008, and together we are trying to impact lives for the kingdom of God. For the past nine years we have met for services, bible studies, and social activities, opened a transitional house, and mentored hundreds of men in and out of jail/prison. We have written to numerous inmates across the nation and have visited many prisons and jails across the state of Texas. We love to partner with other ministries so please contact us if you'd like us to join you. 

Our mission statement is Helping People with a Past realize their Future. When we learn to use our past as a testimony of God's grace, then we can begin the journey to our future. Romans 11:29 says, "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
They are without repentance. God's not sorry he called you to do his will. He still wants to use you to do might things. This house allows us to focus on helping men that are ready for a change in the way they live. Combining the practical and spiritual to produce godly men that are better fathers, husbands, leaders, and businessmen. We believe that in doing this we will make a huge dent in the recidivism rate.

We are a group that encourages each other through hard times. It's tough being labeled a felon, and we understand. But we aren't victims, we are victors. A felon hangs his head and claims he can't get anywhere in life because he's labeled and has a mark on his back. A felon can't find a job, place to live, get a loan. It's hard to find favor as a felon, but a forgiven felon finds favor at every turn. We believe that with the right balance of practical and spiritual guidance, anyone who wants to, can successfully re-enter society.

I also host Background Check Podcast where we share stories of people who have risen above their background and past. Background check has such a negative connotation that we wanted to flip the script and turn the background check into something positive. Spread the word about the podcast. It will also be in prisons and jails across our nation. I also own a handyman business and my wife works for a mortgage company. My wife is a Cowboys fan and I am a Steelers fan.

Currently we are planning the building of a Resource Center that will serve the greater Dallas area with vocational training, jobs, clothes, food, hygiene, warehouse equipment training, leadership classes, and more.

I speak to every age group, every gender, and anywhere I can share the testimony of Jesus Christ. Please contact me if you'd like me to share at your event.

Forgiven Felons is a recognized 501c3 organization and all your gifts are tax deductible. If you'd like to help us out please click on any donation button on the site, or you may mail us a check as well. Thank you for your prayers and support.

You might be a felon if......you've ever done your laundry in a toilet.