The Centre of Excellence is a Prison Fellowship International initiative designed to promote the adoption of evidence‑based program models and practices across the national ministry network. The first Centre of Excellence is being piloted in Colombia, bringing together research, training and dissemination so that national ministries can accelerate what works.  

How can the Centre of Excellence help a National Ministry raise more funds?
The Centre of Excellence will not be directly involved in supporting National Ministries to raise more fundings. However, National Ministries who select to use the Centre of Excellence resources and training materials will find that these resources can support their overall fundraising efforts.

Institutional funders—including foundations, bilateral agencies, and multilateral partners—are increasingly prioritizing funding for organizations who  demonstrate alignment with proven approaches.

Through the Centre, National Ministries gain access to:

• Evidence-based program practices that demonstrate effectiveness and outcomes
• Standardized  training to strengthen program quality and consistency

In addition, engagement with the Centre helps National Ministries grow their influence and credibility within their own countries. As Ministries implement recognized, evidence-based approaches, they are better positioned to:

• Build trust with government partners and national stakeholders
• Expand access to prisons and justice systems
• Strengthen their voice in policy and practice conversations

Ultimately, the Centre of Excellence supports Ministries not only in improving program quality, but also in positioning themselves as trusted, credible and influential partners—key factors in unlocking greater and more sustainable funding opportunities.

The Centre of Excellence will not provide seed funding to National Ministries to support the use of evidence-based practices in their programs. Practices have been identified to represent approaches that can be used even without additional funding available. However some practices may not be possible to implement in all contexts. For example, if a National Ministry does not have a children’s or family support program, than practices related to these areas cannot be implemented.

At Prison Fellowship International, we exist to serve National Ministries in their calling to reach more prisoners, children, and families to impact their lives with the Gospel. The Centre of Excellence identifies, produces and trains on evidence-based practices to catalyze adoption of these practices across the global network. This initiative is designed to help spread knowledge and learning about the excellent work that National Ministries are already doing.  

The first Centre prototype is in Medellín, Colombia, located at the Biblical Seminary of Colombia. This location hosts the Centre staff offices and training facilities. It is co-located with the PFI Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

• Prison Fellowship Colombia: National host ministry 
• Correctional Institution: National Penitentiary Institute of Colombia: provides prison access 

• Pepperdine University: conducting multi-year evaluations of PF Colombia’s programs 

• Biblical Seminary of Colombia: providing location and enables certifications and student researchers. 

The Centre of Excellence: 

• Produces and curates research resources in select prototype location(s).  

• Develops practical standards, tools and training curricula. 

• Equips Regional Teams and National Ministries through Train the Trainer sessions, regional forums and online learning. 

Who are the key partners? 

• Prison Fellowship Colombia: National host ministry 

• Correctional Institution: National Penitentiary Institute of Colombia: provides prison access 

• Pepperdine University: conducting multi-year evaluations of PF Colombia’s programs 

• Biblical Seminary of Colombia: providing location and enables certifications and student researchers. 

No. The Centre is a PFI team that works with partners in Colombia, but its purpose is to serve the global network by identifying what works and helping other National Ministries adopt it. 

The Centre serves the Global National Ministry Network to provide program models, practices, tools and training for any national ministry. The first prototype for conducting evaluation and research is currently limited to Colombia but may grow in the future to other prototype locations. 

A National Ministry delivers prison ministry locally. The Centre does not operate any direct prison ministry services in any country. Instead, it provides technical support to the Global Network by sharing approaches, packaging evidence-based program models and practices, and providing tools and training others can use. 

The Centre is developing a series of evidence-based practices identified through extensive evaluation and research activities in Colombia. These are being developed into a series of training modules on general prison ministry practices, in-prison ministry practices, children and family ministry practices, and restorative justice ministry practices. In 2026, a series of webinars will be held for all national ministries to learn more about these practices and training offerings. In 2027, training activities will be held through regional forums, online platform and through Regional Office support.