Lucas Rash Profile
- Lucas Rash
- Opus # 0984573
- Born on April 28th, 1986
- Currently 37 years old
- 20 years of age at time of crime
- Incarcerated on July 2011 12 years served on sentence
- Term of incarceration, 46-56 years
- Projected release date is July 2055 Prosecuted in Cleveland County, Shelby NC
One infraction during sentence. During the beginning of my incarceration, addiction was still a struggle and as a result of using I failed a drug test for marijuana.
Educational and Vocational Classes Completed Rehabilitative Classes
- Reading Community Class on Christianity (REL365)-9/1/2012
- Commercial Cleaning Class-7/24/2015.
- Creative Writing Class-8/20/2018
- NCEC Learning Center Tutor, Level 1, CRLA Certified-Fall of 2020
- NCDPS, Thinking for a Change Facilitator training-8/15/21
- Bachelors of Pastoral Ministry and Counseling-12/14/2021
- NCDPS, Father Accountability Facilitator training-10/20/22 Fantastic Fathers Mentoring Class-10/1/2012 Narcotics Anonymous Recovery Class
- Kairos Seminar Graduate-2013
- One Day with God Fathering Seminar-2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022
- Beginner Art Class-8/1/2018
- Intermediate Art Class I-5/1/2019
- Intermediate Art Class II-11/25/2019
- Intermediate Art Class III, Color Theory-8/20/2020
Many of the classes that I have been involved in during the time of my incarceration have worked to shape my heart, mind, and my understanding. The fantastic fathering classes that I participated in early on were important to my development in equipping me to be the best father I can be to Logan Rash my son. I have also developed a heart for restoring broken relationships, especially between the fathers around me and their children. The last four 1⁄2 years studying to become a field minister have also been an inspiring experience. As a whole this experience has educated me and equipped me to better relate to and serve others. It has drawn me closer to my Lord, changing my heart ever more in the process. In these last few years the things that really matter have come into a new light in my life. It has been a lot of hard work, but I would not change it for the world. # I was unaware of the concept of restorative justice until about three years ago and was immediately drawn to the idea. In 2018, I was contacted by the daughter of the victim of my crime, and we began to correspond with each other. My priority was to consider her feelings while expressing my utmost sympathy and remorse to her. The ensuing correspondence was healing for both of us as she communicated a newfound peace she had attained and expressed her forgiveness. I am a devoted believer and advocate in the concept of restorative justice having seen a portion of its power firsthand.
Job Assignments and Work History
- Warehouse Worker-10/1/2011-4/14/2012
- Maintenance Worker-4/15/2012-7/15/2014
- Janitor Worker-10/15/2014-4/15/2015
- Temporary work sabbatical for commercial cleaning class
- Janitor Worker-8/30/2015-4/29/2017
- Recreational Clerk-5/1/2017-7/15/2017
- Entered field minister program, and now actively working/serving in this capacity
- Field Minister at Foothills 2/8/2022- current
- Serving in a ministry capacity o Functioning as a counselor o Crisis intervention responder
- Art instructor
- Thinking for a change instructor
Many of the skills used during my work history were already common to me prior to my incarceration. However, during my years working maintenance I was interacting with practically everyone on the camp going block to block preforming preventative maintenance on the doors. This helped me to develop the communication skills needed to operate in such a unique and diverse population. $ 3 I have also been able to put into practice many of the biblical practices over these last few years. I have spent time leading and participating in Bible studies, preaching on Sundays, and sharing the Word with others through my witness and lifestyle.
Ministry Mission and Vision (ministry/ interests)
- Mentoring: sharing life with on a daily basis seeking to be an example that leads to positive change
- Sharing God’s Word with others through Bible studies and the other opportunities that are presented
- Teaching Thinking for a Change, Father Accountability, Art classes, and other opportunities that arise
My mission, here at Foothills and anywhere else I may go, is to be a positive influence, a mentor, and a friend while sharing my life with others and shining the light of the gospel of Christ. + In years past I was a broken man, a shadow of my spiritual potential, scarcely crawling through each day, tainted by the filth of my own sin, my addiction, and past mistakes. Now by the grace and mercy of God I have been reborn in Christ, and my heart has been changed. As a result of this transformation, I deeply desire to share this hope with others, so they may be able to come into a fulfilling life with Jesus Christ. The more I can interact with the guys around me and build relationships with them the better.
Currently Involved Engagements
- Field Minister at Foothills: counselor, minister, teacher, mentor, and friend
- Spiritual leader for my family and others Art Instructor at Foothills
- Father to my son Logan
Since I have been here at Foothills I have learned a lot about interacting with a younger generation, and I have realized that being a friend and simply listening to them is so helpful for them. I am able to engage many out of the population in many different areas and it is not always easy, but I can see some good coming from our time here. God is touching some of these younger guys.
Future Plans and Engagements (post incarceration)
- Be the father that Logan so badly wants and needs, the father I know I am
- Interact with groups of at-risk younger people motivational speaker, and mentor to hopefully open their eyes to the need for change
- Volunteer in the community: addiction help, or counseling for victims having experienced trauma
I want to be a youth minister at a church, Elizabeth Baptist Church or Hope Community Church in Shelby N.C.
I cannot begin to explain the thankfulness I have for the value shift that has taken place in my life over these last ten years. I hope one day to be able to give back to my community, my family, and to the many victims in the community. I have had dreams of being in a position to guide a group of people through the Word, teaching them and really just living life with them.
Personal History and Insight
I was 20 years old when I committed my crime of driving under the influence. This unfortunate and tragic incident-March 2008, took two people’s lives and injured a third, resulting in two second-degree murder charges and my current incarceration. Prior to this I was a student at Cleveland Community College, the local college in Shelby NC. I was also a new father to my son, Logan Rash.
In high school, I began experimenting with alcohol and drugs like marijuana and Xanax. This led to a struggle with drug addiction and a life where I continually let down my family, the community, and myself. After being incarcerated for over 12 years, I am now 37 years old and a much different man.
After a time of reflection and sorrow, now I can say that I have been freed from the bonds of addiction. I have maintained sobriety for many years now, as that desire to use is just gone. There are still drugs around if I wanted them but that’s no longer the case. Today I seek to help those struggling in their addiction. Throughout my incarceration, I have learned to be a dependable father to Logan, a positive influence to my peers, and a man who stands on God’s Word. I have been educated and I have spiritually matured into the man I am today. I wish more than anything that the car accident had never occurred-as so many people have suffered because of it. I am thankful that during this time I have been able to see what was broken about me and slowly mend it.
Family Information and History
I was raised by both my mother and my father-Donna and Marty Rash, who are both retired now. I have one younger brother-Adam Rash who is a personal trainer in Asheville N.C., and a 15-year-old son, Logan Rash. I am very close with them as well as with my extended family, who is made up of my last grandparent and my aunt and uncle. I call Logan as much as I can on the phone, and we visit as often as possible. I do all that I can through our calls and letters to instill in him good values and biblical truths, so that he has a good life and becomes a good man. He is the most important person in my life. I try to be a good example to Logan and the father he deserves.
Accomplishments:
- Currently Serving as a Field Minister at Foothills NCDPS,
- Father Accountability Facilitator Training, 10/20/2022.
- Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry and Counseling, 12/14/2021.
- Completed Parenting While Incarcerated 7/31/2022.
- Completed Learning How to Be a Better Parent 7/31/2022.
- NCDPS, Thinking for a Change Facilitator Training, 8/15/2021.
- Deployed into Field as NC Field Minister, Foothills Correctional, 2/8/2021.
- Teaching Art Classes at Foothill’s Correctional 2022-
- Writing Correspondence for Ambassadors in Exiles newsletter, College of South Eastern, 2019-2021.
- NCEC Learning Center Tutor at Nash Extension Center, Level 1 CRLA certified, Fall 2020.
- Certified Art Instructor at Nash Extension, Beginner Art-2018,
- Intermediate Art I-2019,
- Intermediate Art II-2019,
- Intermediate Art III Color Theory-2020
- Kairos Seminar Graduate 2013
- Fantastic Fathers Mentoring Class Completion 10/1/2012
- One Day with God Fathering Seminar 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022
- Baptized my son Logan at ODw/G camp, 2016-inside the prison
- Narcotics Anonymous Recovery Class
- Commercial Cleaning Class Certification 7/24/2015
- Reading Community Class on Christianity (REL 365) 9/1/2012
I have maintained a job throughout my incarceration:
- Warehouse Worker 2011-2012
- Maintenance Worker 2012-2014
- Dayroom Janitor 2014-2015
- Recreation Clerk 2016
- School, Bachelors: Pastoral Ministry and Counseling (2017-2021)
- Field Minister/Counselor 2022-current Dec. 2010 Holden Beach
