From Prisoner To Preacher

I was a miserable man with no hope in my life. I did go to church when I was a child and remember one time experiencing the presence of God in a special way. But I went on to live a very rebellious and sinful life, abusing the use of alcohol and drugs, hurting people and those who love me most.

I went to jail for the first time when I was 13 years old and this became a repeated cycle. I was in a drug institution, alcohol institution, youth prison at the age 14 and 19. I was in adult prison when I was 21.

I met Laura who became my wife 8 months after. I continued to abuse the use of alcohol, and smoke dope, although I thought I was turning my life around for the best by stopping going to bars, hanging with the wild friends, and doing the other types of drugs I was using. I lived well with my wife for a few years and then I began to make her as miserable as I was by not trusting her and accusing her of things that were not true. We were about to end our marriage.

Then, on February 25th, 1990 my wife and I, along with my mother, my sisters,  and a brother in-law, who had been witnessing to us and praying for us, walked into a church in Lexington, South Carolina. My wife and I walked up the aisle together holding hands, and gave our hearts to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ changed our lives.

We have been married now over 22 years. We have not had it easy. We have faced many difficulties since being in a relationship with Jesus. But Jesus has always been faithful to help us through every difficulty we have faced. I love Jesus and am thankful for His faithfulness, mercy and grace.

I love my family very much. I have a stepdaughter and two grandchildren and I am thankful to God for them.

I have seen the power of God do some great things. The Lord allowed me to go into the same jail where I was locked up many times and minister. He blessed a lot of people’s lives and changed them. He allowed me to be a volunteer chaplain for 5 years in the prison I was an inmate in and I saw His power at work there in changing the lives of men. I have even seen Him work in the lives of the people who worked there. That was an exciting experience to me, because I know that it was God who made that possible. I am looking forward to the next place God will lead me.

Submitted by JB (church I attend - "vineyardassembly.com")
Sanford, NC
United States

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