Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Bryant.
Hi Pamela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began from a place of pain and transformation. In 2002, I was accused and convicted of a crime that stemmed from protecting myself after years of abuse—abuse that started in childhood and followed me into adulthood. For many years, I lived in cycles of trauma, addiction, and survival, believing that pain was normal. I endured dysfunction, domestic violence, and incarceration, but somewhere deep inside, I knew that wasn’t the life God intended for me.
While incarcerated, I began to rebuild my life from the inside out. I found healing, purpose, and faith—and that’s when God placed a ministry on my heart. After my release, I committed to walking in that purpose. I founded Walking by Faith Prison Ministry to help others, especially women like me, who are impacted by incarceration, homelessness, and trauma.
Since then, I’ve become a certified peer support specialist, opened Pam’s Way Kitchen to provide job training and employment, and co-founded Let’s Get Jazzy Cleaning Service to create opportunities for returning citizens. I also serve as a Justice Ambassador for Prison Fellowship, advocating for dignity, restoration, and second chances.
Today, I wake up sober, free, and filled with purpose—walking by faith, not by sight. My story isn’t just about surviving—it’s about using my second chance to help others find theirs.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. My path has been filled with challenges—emotionally, spiritually, and practically.
One of the biggest struggles was rebuilding my life after incarceration. I came out without stable housing, employment, or a support network. The stigma of having a criminal record was overwhelming. Doors were closed before I could even explain who I had become—not just who I had been. That rejection was painful, but it also fueled my mission.
I’ve battled addiction, trauma, and depression, all while trying to stay focused on building something better—not just for myself, but for others like me. Starting a nonprofit with limited resources was another struggle. I had to learn everything—how to write grants, fundraise, build partnerships, and advocate for people that society often overlooks. At times, it felt like I was shouting into the void.
But I held on to my faith. I stayed rooted in purpose. I found strength in my community and in the people we serve. The road hasn’t been easy, but every obstacle pushed me closer to my calling—to be a voice for the voiceless and a bridge for those trying to rebuild. Walking by Faith is more than a name—it’s how I live.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I lead Walking by Faith Prison Ministry, a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, that serves formerly incarcerated individuals, the unhoused, and others impacted by trauma, addiction, and systemic injustice. Our mission is to break the cycle of recidivism and generational barriers through peer-based service delivery, trauma-informed care, and faith-rooted support.
We specialize in reentry support—housing assistance, peer mentorship, employment pathways, and community-based healing. Through our transitional housing program “No One Left Behind”, we walk alongside justice-impacted women as they rebuild their lives. We also operate Pam’s Way Kitchen & Catering, a job-training program that equips our participants with skills while feeding the community.
I’m most proud of the lives we’ve touched—women who came to us with nothing and left with a sense of worth, direction, and community. I’m proud of the 80,000+ meals we’ve served, the coats we’ve handed out during freezing nights, and the prayer lines we’ve kept going even in the darkest times.
What sets us apart is that we’re led by lived experience. I’ve walked the road our clients are on. We don’t offer help from a distance—we meet people exactly where they are. Our work is raw, real, and deeply relational. We’re not just changing lives—we’re proving that redemption is possible.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe risk is often the doorway to transformation—especially when it’s grounded in faith and purpose. As someone who has lived through incarceration, trauma, and addiction, I know what it feels like to have nothing to lose. But choosing to rebuild your life, choosing to believe in your worth, and choosing to serve others out of your pain—that’s the kind of risk that requires courage every single day.
One of the biggest risks I took was starting Walking by Faith Prison Ministry. I didn’t have a roadmap, a large donor base, or a business degree. I had a vision from God and a burning desire to make sure no woman coming out of prison or homelessness ever felt forgotten. I took the risk of putting my name, my story, and my pain out there to serve others. And I took another risk when I launched Pam’s Way Kitchen, turning a deeply personal love for cooking into a job-training and outreach program for women like me.
Risk isn’t about recklessness. It’s about stepping into the unknown with conviction. I’ve learned that if I wait until I have all the answers, I’ll never move. So I move when the Spirit says move. And that kind of faith-fueled risk? It’s what built my ministry, my recovery, and my second chance at life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://walkingbyfaithprisonministry.com
- Facebook: Waking By faith Prison Ministry
