As a teenager, Russell struggled with substance abuse. He remembers his mom taking him to church as a child, but as soon as he was old enough to make his own decisions, he stopped going. By 2002, at age 26, Russell had achieved success by the world’s standards and...
Rodger’s first encounter with the Bible came at Vacation Bible School (VBS) when he was just eight years old. While he wasn’t raised in a Christian household, he remembers riding the VBS bus with his sister, learning about Jesus, and singing songs like “Jesus...
Veterans are often seen as heroes who have served their country with honor, but an unfortunate reality exists for some: incarceration. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, veterans make up about 8% of the state prison population and almost 6% of the federal...
“It’s my time to shine brightly in the darkness of incarceration.” Growing up with two loving parents and excelling in school, Robert’s life took a sharp turn when he followed his older brother into substance abuse. At just 17, he found himself in prison—scared,...
In 2003, Michael sat on his bunk in a prison cell, filled with questions and doubts about his purpose. Reflecting on that time, he shared, “At 30, I had no idea what I was doing with my life. I felt like I’d never been good at anything and couldn’t see a future...
“Although I am now incarcerated or ‘captive,’ I’ve never before felt freer. A lifetime of pain, hurt, discouragement, fear, and loneliness has begun to be replaced by love, joy, peace, patience, courage, and confidence in the promises of my...
