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Prison Ministry

How A Texas Inmate Met Jesus, Then Found The Shock Of A Lifetime In His Bible

by GOD TV April 19, 2023

written by GOD TV

A Texas inmate gave his life to the Lord in prison several weeks ago after hearing the gospel. To his complete shock, the bible given to him contained his own father’s signature!

In an Instagram reel, Troy Brewer details the experience:

“I saw a miracle happen last week. So I get in a small plane, I fly down to Huntsville, Texas. Me and a bunch of friends of mine go over to this prison ministry. I get up there and I preach the gospel. Five guys got saved!”

The good news didn’t stop with five men giving their life to the Lord! God had more to restore for one man in particular.

God gifts a Texas inmate the gift of a lifetime

“One of the things that we like to do is give everyone a bible. It’s a tradition of that ministry there. So they hand them all a bible. They give the third guy a bible. He opens it up and begins to bawl and squall. Because his Dad’s signature was in that bible. He had never known his dad, and his dad had got saved in that prison years before! And now, his legacy being passed down to him was no longer a curse. It was now a blessing!”

“Friends, you can see those kinds of miracles. I’m seeing those kinds of miracles. Get your eyes open.”

One user commented “God is showing up and showing off! Thank you for sharing this – the world needs to see THE MIRACLES right now.”

We are praying that God would continue to encounter His lost children in this way, so that every lost son would be reunited with their Heavenly Father!

A Violent Criminal Was Saved By This Bible Verse

by Le-Jovale Vallejo April 18, 2023

written by Le-Jovale Vallejo

A violent criminal was saved by God inside his prison cell. John testifies that with God, nothing is impossible.

Growing up

John had fond memories of his childhood.

“I really had a good life as a child. Mom and dad seemed to be happy. My dad was a policeman, and my little brother was born. Things seemed to be going really well,” he said.

But things completely changed when he turned 10. His mom and younger brother had to move because his grandfather had terminal cancer. Then his dad had an affair.

He was left by his dad, who locked him in a flat. For three days he went hungry, until someone rescued him. After that incident, John had to move with his mom who lived in a rough neighborhood.

“It was an environment where I saw kids my age sniffing glue, taking drugs, carrying blades, and preparing to use them. That was my first encounter with violence. Violence in that community is a means to get respect,” he said.

A Violent Criminal was Saved

Later in life John became a nightclub bouncer and joined a motorcycle gang. He ended up being a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones and managed a brothel in London at one point. John was eventually apprehended by the police, and was given a five-year prison sentence for extortion. All John could think about while he was incarcerated was committing new crimes, but one day a fellow prisoner persuaded him to visit the Christian fellowship.

“While serving five years in prison, I met this Nigerian guy who was a Christian, and that was one thing I didn’t like about him. But he insisted for four months that I come to Bible study. And one day I changed my mind because he shared with me something really important. He said that the pastor brings in cake, coffee, and biscuits. And I said, “Wow, why didn’t you share that with me before?” John laughed. “I was impacted by the twelve prisoners there who sat back in their chairs and began to sing,” he added.

A Violent Criminal Was Saved By This Bible Verse: Ezekiel 18:30-32

They sang “Open the Eyes of My Heart, LORD,” which made John cry.

“And that night I opened the Bible and read from the book of Ezekiel. I found out that the only way is through Christ,” he said.

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:30-32, NIV).

That evening transformed John’s life. Following a week of reading the Bible and hearing the Gospel, John devoted his life to Jesus. He experienced a new heart and spirit that come when you accept Christ as your Savior. He was created anew in Christ that day.

When asked if he wanted to say something to people who have been through similar struggles, he answered: “I was among the most violent of people. I had no heart, and I was willing to murder. Was so lost, but I found God. I found that God is real. I looked at this world and saw the mess we’re in. And I knew in that moment that there was a Creator. In that moment in my cell, I realized there is God. And I tell you, I don’t know who you are or what you’ve done. But I know that if God can forgive a violent animal like me, then He can also forgive you. Search for Him, repent, and surrender your life to Jesus Christ.”

Header image: John Lawson [100Huntley]. YouTube, 16 November 2022, https://youtu.be/RpZmg0FpVEM

Violent Criminal Stopped by THIS Bible Verse...

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April 18, 2023 0 comment

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Imprisoned Danish Evangelist Starts Ministry Despite Situation

by Christa April 10, 2023

written by Christa

Danish evangelist, Torben Sondergaard, has been in jail for nine months now. The detainment was allegedly unjustified, and so the case is still ongoing today. But instead of getting discouraged, Torben is expanding God’s kingdom inside the prison walls! He started to minister to inmates and model the love of Christ.

Torben Sondergaard

Torben, a missionary, pastor, and evangelist, had dedicated his life to the ministry. He and his wife, Lene, teach the Kingdom lifestyle of healing, discipleship, deliverance, and proclaiming the Gospel to different cities in Denmark.

In 2018, they opened a missionary training school, The Jesus Center. But in 2019, the Danish government and media targeted Torben’s ministry. The situation became so dire that the family made a decision to leave their country. They applied for asylum in the US.

While the asylum petition was still pending, he was asked to come to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for an interview. But when he was there, they put him in prison for charges he did not commit.

Torben has been imprisoned for nine months now. And according to his latest update, “The attacks have been real.”

There have been spiritual attacks on Torben, his family, friends, and the legal team who has been working on his case. But, Torben assured that while the attacks are real, so is God.

“We are really seeing God’s hand in all of it in an amazing way,” he said.

Danish Evangelist

Though his life in prison had been difficult, Torben still feels thankful because his relationship with God has been closer. “God is speaking to me almost all the time,” he shared. “He’s showing truth about suffering, about hope, about faith, about freedom, about the spiritual war we are in.”

Moreover, Torben reported that prison cells have become places of Bible studies, where inmates use the teaching materials Torben has been passing out.

“There’s people now in other dorms doing Bible Studies, and it just growing from place to place. It’s truly amazing what God is doing in here and how the Kingdom of God is growing.”

At the same time, let us pray for Torben and his legal team as they work on their case and that Torben will be out soon. So that he will step into what God is waiting for him next.

Encounter with Muslim in jail: "Torben, your face is shining!"

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Header Image: Friends of Torben, Torben Sondergaard, Retrieved April 10, 2023 from: https://friendsoftorben.com/about/

April 10, 2023 0 comment

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Prison Pastor Serving University of Idaho’s Murder Suspect Admits Ministry Is “Challenging”

by Christa March 29, 2023

written by Christa

The prison pastor who has been ministering to the University of Idaho’s convicted murderer admitted that his ministry behind bars is “challenging, for sure.”

University of Idaho’s tragedy

The court has imprisoned Bryan Kohberger without bail for stabbing four students of the University of Idaho on November 13. But after being locked up, Bryan has found himself in sessions with the pastor, learning about the salvation of Jesus.

Project Hope Idaho, headed by Pastor Mike Hall, is a Christian organization ministering to local prisoners. He and his team believe that “the gospel is meant for all of us, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

He added, “‘Some of us have done more and some less. But God has shown his love for us by giving his only Son to pay the penalty of our sin on our behalf.”

Hall continued to share that God’s intention for people is abundant life, but the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came so that we may be restored.

“So, when we go into the jail or the prisons, we share this good news with the inmates. And invite them into the Kingdom of God, where they can learn to truly live,” Hall confirmed.

Project of Hope does not discriminate, regardless of the severity of the crime. They minister to each prisoner, including Bryan.

Prison Pastor

Although, Steve Otto, a team board member, shared, “I found myself praying quite a bit about truth and justice,” he said. “My heart goes out to the victims’ parents. I can’t imagine the pain they’re feeling. We want justice done.”

But, at the same time, God is merciful and full of compassion. So, Otto said that Bryan is “welcome to receive God’s forgiveness and grace.”

However, their ministry does not excuse the crime. Hall stressed that even David did not escape his adultery with Bathsheba and killing Uriah.

“The gospel is truly good news, no matter what we might face here in this life,” he said.

Reference: Daily Mail.Co

Header Image: Hasan Almasi (Photographer), Man in Prison (2021) [Photograph], Retrieved from: https://unsplash.com/photos/aIRBGPafi74, Mar 29 2023

March 29, 2023 0 comment

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Prison Ministry Sees More Than 450 Inmates Baptized And Turned To Jesus; “They Are More Free”

by Christa September 13, 2022

written by Christa

A prison ministry sees God’s work and miracles inside the correction facility as more than 450 inmates get baptized this year.

Miracles and Baptism

“God Behind Bar” has been partnering with the Holy Spirit in winning the prisoners to Jesus.

They shared, “The Gospel is spreading like we have never seen in prisons. Jesus is moving in POWER! Mang prisons were shut down last year but this verse has been our promise. ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

In addition, the national prison ministry reported a quadruple increase in the number of inmates receiving Jesus Christ. Last year, there were only 90 inmates who got baptized. But so far this year, there are 450 and counting prisoners coming to Christ.

Prison Ministry

The God Behind Bars executive Isaac Holt told CBN News about the heart behind the ministry. “We create satellite campuses in prisons and our whole mission is to introduce inmates to Jesus,” he said.

“There are 3.1 million inmates every day across the nation and that’s a huge group of people. We believe we can reach almost all of them.”

Because of their love and obedience to God, the prison ministry has been growing since 2009. Their compassion for the inmates never stopped and instead developed to see each one as loved by God deeply.

Isaac said, “We see that God still has such an amazing purpose for these men and women behind bars. They aren’t counted out. I think so many people look at people in prison and count them out and people think that they are kinda worthless. And I know these men and women feel that too.”

Isaac added that God’s grace extends to everyone, incarcerated or not. He said, “I think if God’s grace can’t extend to a prisoner, then it can’t extend to me. And I think that we as believers and Christians should believe that God’s grace can change the worst of the worst.”

Reference: CBN News

September 13, 2022 0 comment

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Murderer Sentenced For 33 Years In Prison Has Led Hundreds Of Inmates To Christ

by Christa May 24, 2022

written by Christa

A man did not serve his 33 years in prison in vain, for he has led hundreds of inmates to Christ.

Story of redemption

Stanley Stever, a former inmate, shared how God turned his mess into His message in an interview with The Christian Post.

He said that God’s forgiveness led him to experience a “new heart.” “Becoming a Christian was almost like being a recipient of a heart transplant,” he stated. “And it gave me the ability to come to the understanding that I have a new heart. And with that new heart, there’s a new responsibility.”

Stanley grew up bullied by his classmates and friends. He believed the bottled anger inside him led him to hate other people.

Then, he got involved in drugs and alcohol when he was in his teenage years. Getting drowned in his vices helped him mask his pain. The hatred turned into selfishness and eventually to violence. At 18-years-old, he committed murder.

33 years in prison

He was sentenced to 20 years in Marion Correctional Institute but ended up serving 33 years instead.

Inside the jail, he joined a gang for protection and belongingness. But, after ten years, he did not expect that their gang’s boss would come to know Christ. His former leader joined a four-day Christian retreat held by Kairos Prison Ministry International. And the transformation he saw in his ex-boss drew him to attend the same retreat.

And it did not disappoint. Stanley encountered Jesus and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior.

Subsequently, he joined Kindway Prison Ministry while in prison. And since then, he started telling other inmates of his testimony about how he found healing and forgiveness in Christ. His message of redemption led them also to find life in Jesus.

He said, “I’ve heard it said several times that ‘forgiveness is not forgetfulness.’ This means that you overcome the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the words of your testimony. But, don’t ever forget the things that the enemy did through you in order that you might show the power of Christ to others in the Word through Him.”

Today, Stanley and his wife continue to minister with the Kindway Prison Ministry. They have expanded their ministry into helping incarcerated men and women transition themselves back into society.

“It brings peace to my spirit to know that I am making a difference, one person at a time.”

May 24, 2022 0 comment

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17 Inmates Baptized At Covington County Mississippi

by Christa October 30, 2020

written by Christa

The Covington County Sheriff’s Office rejoiced over the decision of 17 inmates to receive Jesus and get baptized. They hope that it will be a “new start”.

17 inmates baptized

The Sheriff’s department recently posted the good news on their social media page. They were “proud to report that 17 inmates were baptized today.” The post continued with, “The ministry that has been provided at the Covington County Correctional Facility has been a blessing in many ways. We hope that this is a new start and will change the lives of these and many more.”

Along with the post were two pictures of the 17 inmates. Four of them were women and 13 men. Their smiles reflect the hope and life that they now have. Many family members and friends shared in their joy in the comment section.

“Praise the Lord!! Praying for strength and courage to stand up for Jesus all their lives,” said one commenter.

Another one said, “It’s wonderful that you have all chosen a new way. Our Lord Jesus Christ will always be there to comfort and take care of you. However, when He answers your prayers, it may not always be what you had in mind. But trust in Him for He is the only Way.”

“I picked Jesus Christ”

Meanwhile, in Washington, a former inmate, Alfio, crafted an 11-foot cross for the prison ministry that helped him turn to Christ. After hearing the Gospel while in prison, he realized that he needed to make a decision. “I had to pick a side and I picked Jesus Christ,” he said. “He said ‘Follow me and it’ll be better than you think.’”

He was then released 2 years earlier than his 11-year charge. Together with his wife, they create crosses for churches. Alfio believes that God called him to create a unique cross that spells out the pain Jesus went through.

Reference: Christian Headlines

October 30, 2020 0 comment

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Former Inmate Creates 11-Foot Wooden Cross For Prison Ministry

by Rhoda Gayle October 20, 2020

written by Rhoda Gayle

A former inmate has created an 11-foot wooden cross for a prison ministry that helped him turn to Christ and live a changed Christian life.

Former inmate

Former inmate Alfio who had been arrested more than 50 times in his life has created something wonderful for the Gospel of Jesus. Alfio came to Christ after hearing the Gospel message from the Hollywood Impact Studios prison ministry. He was released as a changed man two years before his 11-years sentence.

“I had to pick a side and I picked Jesus Christ,” Alfio explained. “He said ‘Follow me and it’ll be better than you think.'”

11-Foot Wooden Cross

Together with his wife JoEllyn, they began handcrafting crosses for churches. The couple from Washington is doing this for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Alfio believes that God has called him to create a “unique cross that spells out the pain Jesus went through” for His ministry.

“We have to appreciate the sacrifice,” he added.

Hollywood Impact Studio

The couple has since created a special cross for Hollywood Impact Studio’s prison ministry in California. Hollywood Impact Studio was founded by Gary and Cyndi Hall in 2008 for the mission works of Christ in the prisons. Their goal is to share the Gospel of Christ and help inmates recover after being released.

The ministry “uses the art of television and filmmaking to change lives by providing a training ground where Hollywood professionals teach and mentor incarcerated men; helping them to develop their individual talents in order to successfully work in the profession of their choosing.”

The Hollywood Impact Studios posted on their Facebook page to share about the gift of Alfio for the ministry. They are calling the special cross as the “cross of redemption and reconciliation.”

October 20, 2020 0 comment

Video

Powerful Revival in a Maximum Prison Cell

by GOD TV July 23, 2018

written by GOD TV

Human beings were naturally born free from sin and close to God, but that all changed after Adam and Eve chose a life contrary to what God had planned for them. Instead, they ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Since then, mankind became imprisoned to their own choices, departed from the presence of their Creator and subject to live a life enslaved to sin.

Prisoners in the world’s perspective are known to be convicted thieves, liars and murderers. Most of these people, because of brokenness live in sin and darkness. And those who are detainees in a maximum prison cell are known to have committed such horrible crimes that authorities have to watch them more closely than other prisoners. But no one can stop God from redeeming His children from the pit of darkness.

God is using a man named Andres Bisonni to build a ministry especially for the people in a maximum prison cells. Jesus died for the lost and when the Holy Spirit moved mightily among these prisoners they accepted Jesus into their hearts and repented of their sins. What a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit this is!

Jesus answered to them in Luke 5:31, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick”.

Holy Spirit Outpouring in Prison!!

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July 23, 2018 1 comment