Why Stand 4 Count?

“Stand for count” — the command guards yell at prisoners to stand and be counted.

“Stand for something” — to support or accept particular principles or values.

This organizing project is really about Christian Witness, but wrapped up in some street grit. Most prison ministries lead with religious brands and overtures. My goal was to reclaim a demeaning phrase and turn it upside down to project the dignity of persons. Well, I think I succeeded. While preparing to launch, I shoveled my writings and brand logos through the jail mail to a few inmates I knew. It spread. I had one particular inmate who I never met request to video chat with me. I agreed. He said, “New York, I have a poem for you.”

---

“Stand 4 Count”

By Roger Henderson, Jr.

Stand 4 Count, is something that we hear at first daylight until late nights when stars are bright

Stand 4 Count, is what we all do in jails, penitentiaries, and cells to make sure that we are all accounted for

Stand 4 Count before, reminded me and many others of our mistakes that we made, the pain we caused, the hearts we broke as well as our own hearts, unforgiven, hungry for love, and lost

Now, Stand 4 Count means that we are forgiven and blessed with and through my Christian brothers and sisters, by the grace of our Father, our Lord and Savior, our Mighty God Jesus Christ

Now, let’s all “STAND 4 COUNT”, in Our Mighty Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!

Praise Him!!

And God Bless

And Thank You All