Show Summary

This by far is one of the most intriguing, impactful, interviews I have ever done. There are so many surprises along the way. You’ll want to listen to the whole thing. Check out the pic below to see Jim’s dad’s old cell mate at Jim’s son’s wedding. They are holding a picture of Jim’s dad.

Jim Buffington is the Chief Operating Officer for Bridges To Life and resides in Grand Prairie, Texas. He is a native Texan and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a BSBA degree in Marketing Management. Jim's 30-year business career was in Financial/Legal Services. Jim started volunteering with Bridges To Life in 2004 and then joined the staff as COO in 2016.

Bridges To Life is a restorative justice program which connects communities to prisons to reduce the recidivism rate (particularly that of violent crimes), reduce the number of crime victims, and enhance public safety. Since inception, more than 65,000 men and women have graduated from the faith-based program with the help of over 3,200 volunteers in 16 states and 7 countries. Most recently, the Bridges To Life Self-Study Program received Texas Governor Abbott's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award for the Most Innovative Program in 2020 in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

When Jim was 12 years old, his mother was found murdered in the back seat of her car. A year later, his father and two other men were arrested, convicted, and incarcerated for the crime. Jim traveled a long road of pain and betrayal that could have led to a life of bitterness, but instead he chose another path: one of healing and forgiveness.

He volunteers as a Victim Impact Panel Speaker for: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services, Dallas County Probation, Texas Youth Commission, Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department and Tarrant County Juvenile Services in Fort Worth.

Jim is a Royal Family Kid's camp counselor and is a Board Member for Trinity Kids, Inc., Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, Brighter Tomorrows, and One CommunityUSA Pathway’s to HOPE reentry program. He volunteers with Bill Glass Prison Ministry, Prison Entrepreneurship Program, and is an active member of Fielder Church in Arlington, Texas.

Jim received the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Pathfinder Award for his contributions to the welfare of crime victims in 2019, the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Carol S. Vance Volunteer of the Year Service Award in 2008, and the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award for Volunteer Service in 2007.

Jim and his wife, Marilyn, who is an Arlington ISD elementary special education school teacher, have one son, Bryce, who is also a Bridges To Life volunteer.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary:
https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1

Watch the documentary Jim and his brothers are in: https://www.shalomworld.org/episode/forgiving-their-mothers-murderer

Watch video about Bridges To Life: https://www.shalomworld.org/episode/when-were-you-in-prison-lord-bridges-to-life

Bridges To Life website: http://www.bridgestolife.org/

Bridges To Life Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgestolife

Bridges To Life LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridges-to-life

Our Sponsor’s Information: RP Media, robprice6@gmail.com 214-354-6364 Tell them you heard it here.

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

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https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

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https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support