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arrested drug addict
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Former Arrested Drug Addict & Pro Football Player Now Preaches Jesus Christ

by Christa
written by Christa

An arrested drug addict before is now a preacher of the Gospel that brought him hope and life.

Former arrested drug addict

Markus Mcfolling grew up being familiar with fatherlessness, poverty, and gangs. With his early life lacking, Markus found meaning in playing football. The sports gave him a sense of purpose and filled the void in his heart. His passion for football made him a pro player. But everything changed when he dislocated his shoulder. His injury eventually ended his career.

Losing the only thing that gave him hope was too much for Markus. And so, he got addicted to the pain medications that doctors prescribed him. His addiction gradually destroyed his relationship with his wife and daughter. In 2 years, he lied and used false identities to get the medicine he wanted.

Markus recalled, “After seeing 38 doctors for 59 prescriptions in just a few months, my wife left me and took my daughter with her.”

His family called the cops on him and on June 16, 2017, Markus went from being a pro football player to sitting in a prison cell. But God had bigger plans for Markus. One day, Markus surrendered everything to Jesus and gave his life to the Lord.

He shared, “I didn’t want my life anymore so I gave it to someone who did. It took me losing everything to realize that everything I ever needed was Jesus.”

Markus pled guilty to his charges. But the judge had mercy on him so he was sent to rehab.

“From that day on, Jesus transformed my life,” he said. “[He] called me Son, restored my family, and now I get to travel the country and tell people about the man I fell in love with and saved me from deception!”

Today, Markus grabs every opportunity to share Jesus. He would go to prisons to minister to inmates. In one correctional facility, Marcus led 75 inmates to Christ.

 

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Incarcerated Woman Reunites With Her Mother After 9 Years

by Le-Jovale Vallejo
written by Le-Jovale Vallejo

God Behind Bars ministries recently shared about a woman who reunited with her mother after 9 years. It was truly a heartwarming moment.

Another Testimony

God Behind Bars Ministries has been ministering to different prison cells throughout the United States. They have helped and led inmates to accept Jesus, be baptized, and ushered them to embrace a new life inside and outside prison. Like this man who has been imprisoned for 30 years.

“I am sentenced to 30 years for armed robbery; knowing Jesus and having a relationship with Jesus is a big difference. And for many years, I knew Jesus. I knew of Jesus, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him,” he said. “It was in 2008 that I came to have a relationship with Jesus. A prison without God? There’s no worse prison than any prison that man can ever make.”

READ: MAN IMPRISONED FOR 30 YEARS FOUND JESUS BEHIND BARS

9 Years Later

The ministry organized an event so that families could be reunited together. One particular story is about an incarcerated woman who was reunited with her mother after 9 years of separation. While she waited to see her mother, she was crying uncontrollably on the red carpet. Indeed, God restores families together. After a while, the woman asked the ministers if she could get baptized. Not only that, her niece was also moved to get baptized. Praise God!

Another testimony is about a man who was sentenced to 20 years in prison. But now he is a former prisoner who has been leading hundreds of people to Christ. In a detailed post, RJ shared his testimony. He likened it to the story of the prodigal son in the Bible.

God Behind Bars Ministry

“Since 2009, God Behind Bars has partnered with churches around the country to transform the lives of prison inmates and their families. Most prisoners—as many as 92% of all incarcerated individuals—will be released back to society at some point, and 75% of them will return to prison within three years. We address this problem with a unique three-step approach that focuses on the physical, spiritual, and relational needs of inmates and their families.

By inviting God into prison and showing His love in tangible ways, God Behind Bars is restoring lives, building faith, fighting addictions, reconnecting families, and giving thousands of inmates hope for the future.” – God Behind Bars

Header image: Woman being baptized [godbehindbars]. Instagram, 14 April 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5t5xv-yVjD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

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Incarcerated Father Hugs His Children For The First Time In A Year

by Le-Jovale Vallejo
written by Le-Jovale Vallejo

For the first time in a year, an incarcerated father hugs his children. Several people found inspiration in this heartwarming scene, which made them cry.

Incarcerated Father Hugs His Children

In a video that God Behind Bars recently published, an incarcerated father shared how much he missed his kids after spending so much time apart. The father said that in the future, he wanted to be a better role model for the kids. Additionally, the moment was eagerly anticipated by a large number of people. And when that happened, practically everyone became emotional.

These kids couldn’t contain their excitement over spending the day with their father. In fact, they were constantly repeating, “We are going to see daddy today,” while they were traveling in the car.

READ: 7 WAYS YOU CAN REPRESENT JESUS AT WORK

He was able to get back together with his children through the help of God Behind Bars.

They wrote in the caption, “These moments are what change a child’s life forever. Reconnecting a child with their dad and strengthening the relationship, we believe, helps stop the cycle of incarceration in a family. This moment changes everything. This is the love of Jesus. This is agape love.”

Watch the son lift his hands toward his father:

 

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A post shared by God Behind Bars (@godbehindbars)

God Behind Bars Ministry

“Since 2009, God Behind Bars has partnered with churches around the country to transform the lives of prison inmates and their families. Most prisoners—as many as 92% of all incarcerated individuals—will be released back to society at some point, and 75% of them will return to prison within three years. We address this problem with a unique three-step approach that focuses on the physical, spiritual, and relational needs of inmates and their families.

By inviting God into prison and showing His love in tangible ways, God Behind Bars is restoring lives, building faith, fighting addictions, reconnecting families, and giving thousands of inmates hope for the future.” – God Behind Bars

Header image: Incarcerated father hugging his kids [godbehindbars]. Instagram, 9 April 2024,

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Former Suicidal Inmate Goes Back To Her Prison And Shares The Gospel
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Former Suicidal Inmate Goes Back To Her Prison To Share The Gospel

by Kriza Jo Tanduyan
written by Kriza Jo Tanduyan

A former suicidal inmate went back to her prison to share the gospel that redeemed her life.

Former Suicidal Inmate

A woman named Shannon was a former suicidal inmate who testified about the love of Jesus. After following Christ and having her life transformed, she went back to her former prison to distribute 1000 care packages to every incarcerated woman. She also shared an inspiring note that she wrote on every package she gave.  She was once sitting exactly where they were and received one of those bags as an inmate.

As she recalled, she wondered what kind of people would gather and spend their time and money on people like her. She had all these thoughts as she sat inside her solitary cell contemplating suicide on Christmas day of 2014. During that time, Shannon uttered her final prayer, asking God for a sign. Suddenly, she heard a knock that changed her life forever.

Former Suicidal Inmate Goes Back To Her Prison And Shares The Gospel

God Behind Bars
[@godbehindbars]. Former Inmate Testimony. Instagram, 10 May 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6wapJeumzq/

God Behind Bars

It was a knock from a God Behind Bars Volunteer, and she said, “Shannon when you get out of here, we have a care package for you to come and grab. We can’t wait to see you.” She wept that night because God answered her prayer. Eight months later, she went out of solitary and got her bag. Ten years later, she was writing a note to women in prison. Moreover, she met the Man behind every miracle she received.

“His name is Jesus Christ. At my lowest point in life, He showed up. Reminding me I was worth fighting for,” she testified. After what she experienced, she started going to God Behind Bars services and decided to give her life to Jesus. A few years later, she was released and was baptized. Bearing her testimony with her, Shannon went back to her former prison and freely shared the hope she once received.

Watch the full testimony here.

Reference | God Behind Bars

Header Image: God Behind Bars [@godbehindbars]. Former Inmate Testimony. Instagram, 10 May 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6wapJeumzq/

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Shelby Brown Testifies About How She Forgave Her Father’s Killer
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Shelby Brown Testifies About How She Forgave Her Father’s Killer & Shared The Gospel With Him

by Kriza Jo Tanduyan
written by Kriza Jo Tanduyan

Shelby Brown testified in front of the inmates how she forgave her father’s killer and shared the gospel with him.

Shelby Brown

A devoted Christian, Shelby Houston Brown, shared a beautiful testimony of hope and forgiveness with inmates seeking to know Jesus. She joined the God Behind Bars team and visited Gadsden Correctional Institution, where she powerfully testified to forgiving her father’s killer.

On December 3, 2021, Shelby received news that changed her life forever. Her father, Richard Houston, a police officer, was ambushed, shot four times, and killed almost instantly.  She recalled, “I still remembered the weight of that moment.”

Days later, Shelby presented a eulogy at her father’s funeral, where she publicly forgave the man who killed her father. Afterward, she heard God say, “Shelby, you can have a life full of bitterness and resentment. Or you can have Me and my peace.”

Shelby Brown Testifies About How She Forgave Her Father’s Killer

God Behind Bars
[@godbehindbars]. Shelby’s Testimony. Instagram, 12 April 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5oukNVvAwv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

She Forgave Her Father’s Killer

A couple of months later, she saw the man who killed her father in the courtroom. After the trial had ended, she said to him, “I can say a lot of things to you. Man, I know you’re looking for a way out, and there’s only one way out, and His name is Jesus.”

Furthermore, Shelby mentioned that after she shared the gospel with the man, he quietly nodded, and tears streamed down his face. At that moment, she believed that deep down, the tears she saw meant that a life had changed. And she wanted to see more of it.

That’s why Shelby chose to share her testimony with people who needed it. Currently, she has spoken in two God Behind Bars prisons. In one of her visits, Shelby told the inmates, “I’m aware that many of you have never heard before that you are forgiven. And if you can’t take it from anyone, anyone else, take it from me, that I forgive you. And if you can’t take it from me, take it from the Heavenly Father who forgives you.” Eventually, Shelby’s testimony led many inmates to follow Jesus.

Watch her full testimony here.

Reference | God Behind Bars

Header Image: God Behind Bars [@godbehindbars]. Shelby’s Testimony. Instagram, 12 April 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5oukNVvAwv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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60 inmates
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60 Inmates Wait Four Years To Finally Get Baptized

by Christa
written by Christa

60 Blackwater River Correctional Facility inmates waited four years to finally get baptized. But their wait was worth it, for they had encounter the One true God!

60 Inmates

The God Behind Bars ministry went to Pensacola, Florida, to host the water baptism, which the 60 inmates had longed for. One of the team shared, “It takes a lot of time. So a lot of these guys have been waiting for the opportunity to get baptized.”

One inmate was so thrilled that he could not contain it. In front of the 208 inmates who were present, he screamed about his love for Jesus, “I’m in love with Jesus!” He cheered and jumped before getting into the water.

The decision to get baptized represents their commitment to Christ and the transformation that they have experienced through knowing Him. It is a public declaration of their freedom in Christ.

“It is no small gesture for a prisoner,” the God Behind Bars minister said. “When an inmate gets baptized in prison, he is saying no more to his sins.. addiction.. shame. He is telling the entire prison, ‘I am a child of Light. I am free.'”

Water Baptism

Another inmate who has been incarcerated for six years shared the significance of the moment. He testified, “The reason why I got baptized is because I wanted my life to change. I was doing drugs out in the street, all kinds of stuff on the street. That I did not want to do anymore.”

He continued, “I’ve been in the Word ever since I’ve came here. That’s the reason why I got baptized. That’s the reason why I want the Lord in my life, is to change me for the better.”

Let us continue to pray for these men and the God Behind Bars Team!

60 Inmates Baptized Inside A Florida Prison!!!

Header Image: God Behind Bars [@godbehindbars], Instagram, September 4, 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CwvYrLTPQSn/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

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Former Gang Member Prayed For The First Time While Hiding From The Police Outside The Church

by Le-Jovale Vallejo
written by Le-Jovale Vallejo

A former gang member who didn’t know how to pray, but he called out to God and received His love.

Former Gang Member

A former gang member recalled being happy when he was in jail. For him, it was like an accomplishment.

“I remember being glad that I have gotten locked up. Because of, I mean, how much I had accomplished at that time. As a criminal, I had committed a murder and several armed kidnappings,” he said.

He didn’t think about God during those times. The first time he prayed, it was because he was hiding from the police.

“I remember the first time I thought about God, I was on the run in a stolen car, and I parked outside a church to hide from the police. And I remember praying to God for the first time, just a random prayer. I didn’t want to change. But it was the first time I thought about God in any way,” he said.

Former Gang Member Found Hope In Jesus

Even though he didn’t want anything to do with God, he found hope when someone put a Bible under his bed. That was the start of his pursuit of God.

“I am in prison for life. I was hopeless until I found Jesus. I remember when I got to jail, I came to my bunk and a Bible was laying on my bed. And I just started reading and I couldn’t stop. It was at that moment that I started having self-disgust. I started feeling bad about what I had done, which I had never felt before. It was all God. It was ALL God.”

READ: FORMER ALCOHOLIC WOMAN RECEIVED DELIVERANCE & SALVATION THROUGH PRAYER

“And during those days of reading the Bible, I gave my life to Jesus, and I have never been the same. And When I found Jesus, I found purpose. I have apologized to some of my victims and their families and told them how sorry I am,” he said while tearing up.

A New Beginning

Because of God’s conviction through His Word, this former gang member is experiencing a new life. He is now partnering with God to share the Good News with the people inside the prison walls.

“During my time in prison, I graduated from seminary, and now I am one of the pastors here in prison. I am one of the very few inmates that gets to go into cells to pray and share Jesus with other inmates,” he said.

He is also teaching the re-entry program for the men who will get out of prison. During the years he has taught, there are ZERO inmates who have come back to prision.

“I know without a shadow of doubt that God did something to my heart. I have not been the same ever since,” he concluded.

 

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Header image: Former gang member [godbehindbars]. Instagram, 28 July 2023, https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvN25o3sIgv/?igshid=MmU2YjMzNjRlOQ%3D%3D

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75 Inmates Stayed To Worship Even After Service Ended

by Christa
written by Christa

“This is what it looks like to have the joy of the Lord!” one commenter shared while watching the 75 inmates who stayed to worship Jesus even after the church service ended.

God Behind Bars

The God Behind Bars ministry has been ministering to inmates and sharing the love of Jesus. For 16 years, they have seen millions of inmates receive Jesus, be changed by the Gospel, and leave prison walls without returning. Moreover,  they have launched 62 prison churches across the United States.

Their ministry has powerfully impacted the lives of the inmates, and one example happened in a maximum security prison can testify to how the Gospel has made them free.

The team shared this powerful moment on their Instagram page. “After a prison worship event inside of a max prison, we concluded … but the worship didn’t stop!”

 

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75 Inmates Stayed to Worship

Although the prison worship had ended, 75 inmates did not stop worshipping Jesus. Instead, they stayed and formed a line. They circled the area and started singing a worship line, “I Ride With Jesus.”

In their blue uniforms, they lifted their hands while others carried their Bible in one hand. Their faces showed how free they felt with Jesus.

The prison warden said that he had never seen anything like it. He also said, “This is the first time these men felt free!”

“Jesus is bringing joy, hope, and restoration to prisoners!”

GOD TV had previously reported how 300 inmates were surprised when one of their fellow inmates led them to worship. Worship broke out, and it was as if the “environment change” they shared.

The whole congregation erupted with praises to Jesus, and they started to pray for one another. Their voices filled the entire prison. And many have added to their number of fellowships since that moment.

Indeed, God has no regard for the place where He can move mightily. And inside the prison walls, He has unstoppably revealed Himself as the Light and Freedom.

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incarcerated for 12 years
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Man Incarcerated For 12 Years Now Models A Life With Jesus

by Christa
written by Christa

A man incarcerated for 12 years has encountered Jesus and is now models a life walking with Jesus.

Incarcerated for 12 years

E.I. The King confessed that all he knew was prison. Getting in and out of jail almost all his life, he has considered the jail cell his home.

As young as 13, authorities detained E.I. in a juvenile institution for dealing drugs. After getting pardoned, he went back to selling illegal drugs. Throughout his teen years he in and out of juvenile centers.

At 18, when his friends were graduating from high school, E.I. marched the prison hallway for his first long-term sentence—not knowing that he would encounter the True Freedom in a place with no freedom.

E.I.’s cellmate was a Christian. He testified to E.I. about Jesus and encouraged him to read the Bible. And for the first time, E.I.’s eyes were opened. It was as if scales fell from his eyes.

He received Jesus as Lord and Savior then and committed his life to Him. There was no one to guide him in his walk with Christ and he fell back into his old ways.

And once again, it led him back to the prison. E.I. also returned to the Lord, but after getting out, he crashed again.

Fully Surrendered to Christ

Finally, for the third time, E.I. found himself in prison with the longest service term, 9 years. But God, in His faithfulness, welcomed him again. There, E.I. fully surrendered to the Lord, and he submitted himself under the leadership of his mature brothers in Christ.

He discovered his purpose of telling others about Jesus to his fellow prison mates. His constant obedience to God led him to become a pastor in the prison.

Now that he has been released, E.I. continues to be the prison pastor God has called him to be. He has started four different churches in four different prisons.

Moreover, he is reaching out to the people in the streets too.

“I know God’s doing everything with me as an example to them [disciples in prison] saying, ‘I’m nobody, I’m broken, I’m jacked up, but it’s only the faithfulness of God upon our life.'”

12 Years In Prison - E.I. The King Life Story

Header Image: E.I. The King, Facebook, April 13, https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=659455916192118&set=a.436637898473922

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Woman Incarcerated For 15 Years Said, “I’m In Prison, But My Heart Is Free”

by Le-Jovale Vallejo
written by Le-Jovale Vallejo

Maria has been incarcerated for 15 years, serving a 60-year sentence. But when she encountered God, she knew she was free.

Woman Incarcerated For 15 Years

When she was first imprisoned, she was angry with God and found herself rejecting religion and refusing to read her Bible.

“I refuse to read the Bible, and I refuse to hear anything about God,” she said.

She said that she didn’t want anything to do with God. But some of the inmates started praying for her. And one day, a woman spoke God’s truth to her, which shattered Maria’s defenses.

“She told me, “God forgave you. God loves you,”” Maria recalled.

Woman Incarcerated For 15 Years Encountered God

After years of not going to church, she decided to attend a God Behind Bars service after a friend repeatedly invited her. Once she went to church, she felt a rush of warmth and knew it was the Holy Spirit.

READ: FORMER PRISONER LEADS THE MAN WHO SET UP A PLAN TO KILL HIM TO RECEIVE GOD

“While I was in prison, I felt like I didn’t deserve God’s love. I don’t deserve anything; I don’t deserve my family’s love; and I don’t deserve anyone to see me with any compassion. Like nothing. I don’t deserve anything good at that moment,” she said.

A few weeks later, she gave her life to Jesus.

“Finally, one day, I said, “Okay, I surrender to You, Lord. Use me, and You be the One to guide me,” Maria recalled how she committed her life to God.

Incarcerated For 15 Years, Now She’s Serving God

According to God Behind Bars, “Maria was one of the very first God Behind Bars Attendees at Denver Women’s. She is now on fire for Jesus and is one of the main inmate leaders who disciple women.

“Eventually, she immediately jumped into life groups and became a prayer warrior for the other women in the facility.

“She wakes up every morning at 5 AM to do her daily devotion. She said spending time with Jesus first doesn’t stop things from coming, but it changes how she handles it when it does because she has a different outlook and approach to it. Maria has dedicated her life to Jesus, and a few months ago Maria was baptized! One of our favorite things she said is, “I am in prison physically; my body is behind these bars, but my heart is FREE.””

Watch the full video here:

Header image: Maria [godbehindbars]. Instagram, 14 July 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CupTyBNx0m7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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