History

Our History

Joyce and Weldon Hargis, and their good friend Durward Robinson began a ministry of witnessing the Gospel to prisoners in the local jail in Lubbock, Texas. Two years into their ministry, they initiated legal steps to incorporate Exodus Prison Ministry. That was back in 1983. Their dream was to reach prisoners throughout the US with Bible correspondence studies and other Christian literature. The first official meeting was held in August 1983.

After they became incorporated, the group applied for tax-exempt status on November 11, 1983. They got their 501(c)(3) non-profit status on January 5, 1984. Their State Franchise tax exemption for Texas was received November 20, 1984.

The ministry was housed in the Hargis home from 1983 until 1990. In 1990, Highland Baptist Church recognized the value of the mission work being done out of the Hargis home and they providing an office building for ministry at 4023 34th Street, Lubbock.