Several years ago, some of us men and women accepted an invitation to attend a spiritual retreat in San Antonio and were overwhelmed with the spiritual results that came about in our lives. Our lives have changed and we have become positively involved in our communities and churches. Throughout that initial retreat weekend, we learned about (ACTS) Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. The ACTS movement began in San Antonio and has grown throughout the United States and other countries. It has gone as far as Africa. The men and women who have participated in these ACTS retreats are called to bring this message of Jesus’ love to others. Jorge Cuellar who was a probation officer with the Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department at the time experienced this ACTS retreat which in turn led him to found the Ministry of the Third Cross (MOTC). This ministry offers these ACTS retreats exclusively to men and women in the adult criminal justice system.

For the past twelve years this ministry has continued to provide spiritual retreats for men and women currently on probation/parole in Bexar County and surrounding areas. Some of the judiciaries offer the probationers the opportunity to participate on these 4-day retreats and it has been a great success. Today, the MOTC organizes and supports 5 yearly retreats (3 for men and 2 for the women) with over 100 volunteers. Our volunteers are mostly from Bexar county and some surrounding counties i.e. Kerr County. Each retreat requires 100 + hours of commitment from each volunteer and we average 35 volunteers per retreat. Our MOTC retreat in August 2008 was attended by Bishop Cantu and he was overwhelmed when he saw over 60 men praying and working together in a very humble way serving God. Currently, we are averaging around 25 young offenders per retreat. This is hard work, however it is very rewarding to see how the retreat transforms these men and women by the end of the weekend in a spiritual way. 

Two years ago the MOTC was offered the opportunity to bring these retreats into the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). The first retreat took place in early 2006 in Denton County at the McFadden Ranch Facility. Today, the MOTC supports five retreats in the adult criminal justice system and two within the TYC system. Some of the TYC retreats are in San Antonio retreat facilities, but others take place within the walls of the TYC system around the State of Texas as of 2008. As the Lord opens the doors in the criminal justice there are plans to continue this into the future. Again, this continues to be a great success. Last year the TYC nominated MOTC for three separate awards, 1) Volunteer achievement award in a community-based program, 2) Chaplaincy volunteer in an institution community based program and 3) Volunteer achievement award group award. The MOTC also won the nomination for the Volunteer Achievement Award In a Community Based Program. What an honor for Our Lord and our ministry to be honored in this way by the TYC.

We are blessed to have some hard working members of the Bexar County judicial system support our cause. The following are a few; Honorable District Judge Sid Harle (226 District Court), Honorable Judge Al Alonzo (County Court No. 1), and Honorable District Judge Ernie Glen (Felony Drug Court) along with members from the Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department like Mary Moncivias (Assistant Deputy Chief). All of our Board of Directors are ready to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call Dr. Jorge Cuellar (Board President) at 210-410-4901, Dan Stephens (Board VP) at 210-722-4768 or John Damon (Treasurer) at 210-365-5015.