"I Finally Let God In": Charles' Testimony

“16 Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. 17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me” – Psalm 66:16-20

Charles has completed two CLI Bible studies and just enrolled in our third course called “Disciple of Christ.” Along with his application, he was gracious enough to share his testimony so that we would be encouraged to keep up our outreach in prisons. Read his testimony below.

What was your life like before incarceration?

“Before being incarcerated, I was a janitor for 8 years. I had worked in a furniture factory after getting out of school. I was married to a wonderful Christian woman. She had three children. I had quit drinking after we married. We were going to church. The kids loved the church we were going to. It had a great youth program.

Yet the devil kept fighting us. It seemed like every time we would get ahead something would break down. I gave in to temptation and was put in prison.

When did you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior?

After I was incarcerated, my wife stood by my side the whole time. Unfortunately, she passed away this past April. I lost my wife and my best friend.

I had attended church off and on most of my life. I would go to church and help with the youth programs, but I wasn’t saved. I knew who Jesus was, but I didn’t know Jesus. God started working on me when I got locked up in Oct 2018. I knew something was missing in my life; a hole I couldn’t fill.

On Sept. 26, 2019, I was in a church service, and the sermon was about salvation. Even with the others in the room, it felt like the preacher was talking directly to me. After the message, God told me, “it’s time to come to Me. Let me set you free.”

I have never felt so free in my life. God cleansed my heart of all the trash. I finally let Him in and clean out all my closets. The world was lifted off my shoulders. God saved me from my myself. I pray that I can help others find the peace and joy in Jesus Christ that I have now.

How did you get connected with Prison Alliance?

Someone gave me your address and said it was a great lesson. It helped them learn the Bible better.

How is God using you to bless others?

I’ve got others to start your Bible study lessons. We have started a Bible study every evening in our pod. I talk with others about what God has done for me. Since my wife passed away in April, God has comforted me letting me know she is in heaven with him. Your lessons have helped me to help others draw closer to God.

What’s something you would like our supporter to know?

I would like to thank everyone at Prison Alliance and all your supporters. These lessons have helped me understand my Bible and what Jesus did for me. I get comfort when I’m doing my lessons.