When Billy looks back on who he was before prison, the change in his life is undeniable. People who have known him for years say they see it too. The anger that once defined him has softened. He listens more. He cares deeply about others. And for the first time, Billy is learning how to live in freedom.
Billy’s journey with faith didn’t begin in a church pew. As a child, his mother sent him and his brother to church while she stayed home, and Christianity never took root in his life. It wasn’t until he entered county jail in 2021 that everything changed.
“I saw a gentleman sitting at a table with his Bible open, working on a correspondence course,” Billy said. “Within ten minutes of talking to him, I gave my life to Christ.”
That moment marked the beginning of a new path, but not the end of the struggle. Billy began learning who Christ was, yet he still wrestled with addiction, temptation, and broken relationships. Over time, through prayer, Scripture, and Crossroads Bible study lessons, his faith began to deepen.
“That’s what I’m learning right now,” Billy shared. “How to use the power and the gift Christ has given me to not let the trials and tribulations take over.”
Once trapped in cycles of drug and alcohol addiction, Billy is now learning how to pause, pray, and respond differently. He’s letting go of relationships that pulled him back toward his old life and building new ones rooted in faith. His spiritual growth is also helping him pursue peace with his ex-wife and prepare for a healthier, more loving relationship with his daughter.
“I used to be a drug addict. An alcoholic,” Billy said. “Now Christ is teaching me how to pray it out. I don’t know how to explain it—it’s just amazing.”
Others have noticed the change. Men incarcerated alongside Billy have told him they see a difference in his attitude and how he interacts with people. And Billy knows that transformation isn’t meant to stay hidden.
“The love and compassion God has given me—I can’t keep it to myself,” he said. “The gifts He’s given me are not for me. They’re for someone else.”
With a few years left on his sentence, Billy sees this season not as wasted time, but as sacred time—room to grow, heal, and prepare for what’s next. He’s deeply thankful for the mentors and volunteers who walk alongside students like him.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Billy said. “Your kindness and love really matter.”
Right now, more men and women like Billy are waiting for the opportunity to experience Christ’s transforming love. Give today to help provide Bible lessons and Christ-centered relationships to students discovering hope and healing in prison.