Who We Are

The Onesimus Group Milwaukee (OGMKE) is a catalyst for change, bridging faith-based communities with the realities of incarceration and reentry. As a consulting and solutions-driven firm, we equip churches, organizations, and change-makers with innovative strategies to engage men and women impacted by the Wisconsin prison system.

But our mission goes beyond strategy—it’s about transformation. We empower system-impacted individuals through redemptive reentry initiatives, mental health and wellness toolkits, coaching, support networks, and newsletters that create lasting change from the inside out.

Our Mission

We help churches, ministries, and change agents serve incarcerated populations through innovative, nontraditional methods that make a real impact.

Our Team

We are men and women with personal or familial incarceration experiences, united by our commitment to redemptive reentry solutions. Our lived experiences fuel our passion for change.

Reentry Problems, Mirrored with Redemptive Solutions

At OGMKE, we believe reentry begins with relationships. True restoration happens when the incarcerated, returning citizens, and communities come together in faith, support, and action.

We don’t just identify reentry challenges—we meet them with redemptive solutions that restore dignity, purpose, and hope.

What We Do

Raising Awareness

🔹 Highlight the presence of the Body of Christ within prisons
🔹 Identify and promote ministry opportunities in correctional facilities
🔹 Mobilize churches through "Adopt a Joint", a program connecting congregations to specific facilities

Community Engagement

✨ Organize events and initiatives that bring awareness to our mission
🎵 Bridge incarcerated and free communities through “Bonds Remembered” worship experiences
🎤 Celebrate faith and freedom through "Bars for Freedom" gospel cyphers

How We Move

Fostering Relationships

🤝 Build connections between churches and returning citizens
🏠 Provide faith-based community support for successful reentry

Supporting Prison Ministries

📖 Deliver uplifting content through The Onesimus Letters
💙 Offer mental health and wellness support through calls, virtual, and in-person sessions
🔗 Supply reentry resources to ease the transition back into society

More Than a Mission—A Movement

At The Onesimus Group Milwaukee, we believe reentry is not just a process—it’s a purpose-driven journey.

We stand in the gap.
We restore hope.
We create pathways for transformation.

Join us in mirroring reentry problems with redemptive solutions.

a fish symbolizing the word our story
a fish symbolizing the word our story

Travel back to Rome, Italy, around A.D. 62, where a remarkable story unfolds. Paul, a Roman prisoner, reaches out to Philemon, a dear companion in the faith of Jesus, on behalf of a fugitive slave named Onesimus. This brave act of compassion and redemption sets the stage for an extraordinary journey.

Onesimus had fled with stolen property, an offense punishable by death for a household slave. Paul and Onesimus crossed paths, and through the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus, a transformative connection was made. Onesimus embraced the faith and became a brother, finding hope in the midst of his past mistakes.

With confidence Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, armed with a heartfelt letter. In this letter, Paul implores Philemon to welcome Onesimus not as a slave but as a fellow brother in the faith. He even offers to take responsibility for any debts Onesimus owes.

The name "Onesimus" itself, meaning "profitable" in Greek, mirrors the journey of countless others who were once shunned from society due to their past crimes. Through incarceration and life-changing encounters, they have embraced a better path, eager to re-enter society as valuable assets to their families and communities.

Enter The Onesimus Group, a beacon of hope for this generation seeking redemption and second chances. Like the apostle Paul and Philemon, The Onesimus Group embodies the spirit of advocacy and acceptance. Some of our founders and board members have personally experienced incarceration or its impact, making our commitment even more profound.

Our logo, the ancient fish symbol of the Christian Faith, the ICHTHYS, with our name centered within it, symbolizes our dedication to shaping real and lasting solutions rooted in the teachings of Jesus. We strive to infuse our ideas and approaches with faith-inspired wisdom to bring about meaningful change.

Join us on this journey of redemption and empowerment as we embrace the legacy of Onesimus. Together, we can foster a future where second chances are granted, and individuals are welcomed back into society not as they left, but as valuable contributors and assets to their communities. The Onesimus Group: Where hope and transformation find their home.

Step into History

The Narrative of Onesimus and The Onesimus Group

A parallel narrative of why we call ourselves Onesimus (pronounced Oh-ness-e-mus) arises from an enslaved African in 18th century Boston who was named Onesimus.

His owner, Cotton Mather gave him that name based on the Onesimus of scripture. Onesimus purchased his freedom from Cotton Mather in 1716 and disappeared off the pages of history. However, before he disappeared, he taught Cotton Mather the procedure of inoculation which was unknown in Boston.

What Onesimus taught Cotton Mather became America’s first lesson on how to vaccinate itself against smallpox which was responsible for the deaths of at least 1000 Bostonians. In 2016 Onesimus was voted among the 100 Best Bostonians of all time for the development of inoculation in Boston and the United States.

True to his name Onesimus was an asset and made an invaluable contribution to society that many at the time were not able to see and appreciate. They could not get past his race and social status or non status. We believe this Onesimus also fits in the narrative of this organization. We see Onesimus (our constituents) as assets who are capable of making great and impactful contributions to society as we see past that which would normally stigmatize.

In the last five years alone the men and women in Wisconsin who have been helping change the landscape of re-entry becoming community stakeholders and power players paving the way for those returning home and establishing connection points for those waiting to return home have been men and women who were formerly incarcerated……. Onesimus.

Step into History: A Deeper Dive

The Narrative of Onesimus and The Onesimus Group

Get in touch

Our Board

Bro. Roy

Samuel White

Field Officer Ambassador

Founder and Executive Director

Youth Consultant

Executive Assistant & Treasurer

Sam White describes himself as a Kingdom man in captivity, flawed but faithful. Sam is a high-level communications and engagement strategist for The Onesimus Group Milwaukee. Held as an "Einstein of the Rhyme" Mr. White is a licensed barber cosmetologist, published author and songwriter who is passionate about following his convictions and speaking the truth to power and to the powerless. As our boots on the ground, the Field Officer allows us to have heat checks where it's hottest at. Sam will also coordinate our musical arm Onesimus-Asaph. Sam is an organizational treasure, a theologian in his own right with an urban exegesis unparalleled.

Demetrous Elam jr is a Youth Leader at the Progressive Baptist Church in Milwaukee. He also serves in the capacity of musician and audio and video tech at the Church. Demetrous is committed to Jesus and has a profound love for the youth of the church and committed to providing wisdom on the issues that are pertinent to them. With a wisdom beyond his years Demetrius brings a much needed culturally relevant perspective to the table. This allows the Onesimus Group to stay balanced and relevant. In his down time He enjoys playing his saxophones, practicing his kickboxing and jujitsu, studying the word and gaming on YouTube!

Andrae L. Bridges a happily married Christian man with an unmatched appreciation for life and everything it has to offer. Andrae is an outlier of the outliers multifaceted and multitalented. As an author, prolific writer, theologian, paralegal, public speaker and youth interventionist specialist Andrae brings the heart and muscle to The Onesimus Group Milwaukee. With grace and truth Mr. Bridges is determined to bridge the gap between communities and corrections.

Sherry Bridges, Treasurer, happily married Christian Woman with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Sherry's core belief is that a good person can make a bad decision. This is why she is committed to the actions and belief in second chances. As a woman loyal to Jesus with family and loved ones who are justice involved and system impacted her involvement is a labor of love and lifestyle of worship. As a woman Sherry brings with her the unique experiences that allows The Onesimus Group Milwaukee to be cognitive of the issues that are relevant to the women on the inside.

Minister Roy Rogers, widely known as Bro. Roy is a public speaker, mentor and Youth Justice Advocate. With nearly three decades of lived experience in pastoral care, prison ministry and at-risk youth intervention his passion runs deep for the men and women incarcerated, especially those of the body of Christ.

Informed by his faith in Jesus Bro. Roy brands the strategies of the OG-MKE as redemptive re-entry solutions which mirrors re-entry problems with redemptive solutions, with relationship being a starting point of re-entry. Singer, songwriter and musician Bro. Roy enjoys praise and worship! He credits his lifestyle of hallelujahs for the reason why he does not look like the horrors and traumas he went through.

Demetrous Elam Jr.

The Bridges