Prison Fellowship

  • DONATE
    • One-Time
    • Monthly
    • Angel Tree
    • Other Ways to Give
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Subscribe
    • Angel Tree Christmas
    • Start a Fundraiser
    • Pray With Us
    • Justice Action Center
    • Share on Social
  • STORIES
    • Stories
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • The Restoration Series [Videos]
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Why Help Prisoners?
    • What We Do
    • In-Prison
      • Prison Fellowship Academy
      • In-Prison Programs
      • Hope Events
      • Inside Journal
      • Women’s Ministry
      • Create: New Beginnings
    • Angel Tree
      • Register your church or group for Angel Tree
      • Prison Fellowship Angel Tree
      • Angel Tree Christmas
      • Angel Tree Camping
      • Angel Tree Sports Camps
    • Justice Reform
      • Justice Reform
      • Second Chance Month
      • Sign the Justice Declaration
      • Get a Copy of Outrageous Justice
    • Warden Exchange
    • Church Partners
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Preparing Prisoners for Reentry
  • RESOURCES
    • Subscribe to Our Email
    • Support for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Resources for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Coping with Incarceration
      • Resources for Prisoners
      • Resources for Children of Prisoners
      • Supporting Successful Prisoner Reentry
    • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • In-Prison Ministry
      • Reentry Ministry
      • Family Ministry
      • Justice Reform
      • Mentoring Ministry
    • Resources for Angel Tree Coordinators
    • Resources for Chaplains
    • Resources for D.O.C.
    • Justice Reform Resources
    • Share on Social
    • For Media Outlets
  • ABOUT US
    • Leadership
    • Chuck Colson
      • About Chuck Colson
      • The Charles Colson Hope Awards
    • Our Beliefs
    • Financials
      • Financials
      • 2022 Annual Report
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • In The News

Our Top 12 Inspiration Series Stories: A Year of Transformations

April 27, 2021 by Emily Harris Greene

In an everchanging world, the hope of the Gospel remains constant.

inspiration series

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prison Fellowship® made several changes in our ministry. From the Prison Fellowship Academy® to Hope Events, we found new and creative ways to remember prisoners and all those affected by incarceration. We also shared stories from behind bars with you, our readers. The Inspiration Series turned 1 year old this April, and to honor that milestone, we put together our top 12 stories of transformation.

1. WAKING FROM A NIGHTMARE

TRADING THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR GOD'S CALL

"Something just got me up out of that bed and walked me into that room. The moment they just touched me to start praying, it all just finally came out—the emotion, the weight, I think, was starting to lift."

jeremy

Jeremy spent much of his early adulthood chasing the American dream. He placed his value in what other people thought about him. Jeremy felt his life had to look a certain way. But it was just impossible to keep up.

READ JEREMY'S STORY

WATCH THE VIDEO

2. SET FREE

THIS IS WHAT RELEASE DAY LOOKS LIKE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUND FREEDOM IN CHRIST

"My name is William Jones. I've been incarcerated here for 3 1/2 years. And today, I'm about to go home."

prisoner at prison gate

He was coming home a different man. He wasn't just a returning citizen. He was also a man guided by the Spirit of God. Was he up for the challenge? Or would he be like so many others and find himself back behind bars within just a few years?

READ WILLIAM'S STORY

WATCH THE VIDEO

3. THE WEIGHT OF REENTRY

Luis Centeno's Strenuous Journey to Success After Prison

"I used to be known as somebody that couldn't be trusted. ... Today I'm actually a father, I am a husband, and I'm also a business owner."

luis centeno

Luis' time behind bars had been difficult, but reentry turned out to have its own pressures, too. He struggled to find a job, open a bank account, and find a place to live because of his past convictions. But instead of giving up, Luis got creative and turned a hobby into a career.

READ LUIS' STORY

WATCH THE VIDEO

4. AARON COSAR: CARRYING ON A LEGACY OF LOVE IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS

A NEW CALLING

"The Holy Spirit said these very words to me. ... 'The choice you make today will be the one you die with."

aaron cosar reads in prison

Aaron was once a lost and angry young man with a drug addiction. But God gave him a second chance behind bars. Today, Aaron is still in prison, but he’s not serving time. Instead, he’s a Prison Fellowship Academy program manager.

READ AARON'S STORY

WATCH THE VIDEO

5. THE UNDENIABLE TRANSFORMATION OF KEVIN BRUNO

UNDENIABLE HOPE

"When God revealed Himself to me, it was in a way that I could not deny that it was Him. I could not deny that He had changed the course of my life."

Inspiration Series

During his incarceration, Kevin saw the worst of prison life. Racism, hate, and violence abounded. When he was offered a chance to enroll in the Prison Fellowship Academy, he did so with resentment. But in the program, he found somewhere to belong. He found a safe place to bring his questions and doubts. Surrounded by love and support, he discovered his own dignity.

READ KEVIN'S STORY

WATCH THE VIDEO

6. 47 FELONIES. FOUR INCARCERATIONS. ONE LIFE REDEEMED.

HOW TAMMY FRANKLIN FOUND HER CHANCE TO LIVE AGAIN

"I just want to be like that. To be 'normal.' To be a person that cared about someone else more than I cared for myself."

Tammy was caught up in a very dark world, and she couldn't find her way out. With four stints behind bars, Tammy thought her life was over. But little did she know it was just beginning.

READ TAMMY'S STORY

WATCH THE VIDEO

7. HE BROKE THAT CURSE

HOW KEVIN CURBED THE CYCLE OF INCARCERATION IN HIS FAMILY

"I've had many, many, many life experiences, ups and downs. But I think those things have made me the person that I am today, made me a go-getter."

Inspiration Series

Grief colored Kevin's childhood. He lost both of his biological parents and his adoptive father by the time he was 12 years old. But in the darkness, there were two reliable sources of light: his adoptive mother Mayra and Prison Fellowship Angel Tree™.

READ KEVIN'S STORY

8. FINDING FREEDOM IN A DOUBLE LIFE SENTENCE

DISCIPLESHIP BEHIND BARS

"The weight of what I did came crashing down on my conscience. I thought, 'OK, life is definitely over.'"

Inspiration Series

Danny 's transformation from addict to Christ follower didn't happen overnight. He would spend three decades growing in his faith while serving his double life sentence. Even so, a new life was still possible.

READ DANNY'S STORY

9. THE POWER OF A SECOND CHANCE

FORGIVING THOSE WHO HAVE HURT YOU

"This is part of your story. It's part of our story. It's not something that anybody has to be ashamed of. We believe in second chances."

Inspiration Series

After he ratted out his friend, Will, for a plea deal, Michael lived years incarcerated in a maximum-security prison looking over his shoulder. He knew one day Will would find him and probably kill him.

READ MICHAEL'S STORY

10. THE DRUG-DEALER'S SON

FROM A BOOT FULL OF CASH TO A HEART FULL OF CHRIST

"This is the real battle. This is the training ground, and when I get out, that is the boxing match."

Gio Rodriguez

When Gio met God in a jail cell, everything changed. Prison became the next step to a life of new beginnings. He put his life in God's hands, and God began to transform him.

READ GIO'S STORY

11. WAY MAKER

RHONDA’S RESCUE FROM OPIOID ADDICTION

"You can't heal spiritually if you don't heal emotionally, psychologically. You can't heal emotionally if you don't heal spiritually."

Inspiration Series

When her doctor first prescribed her pain pills, Rhonda savored the relief. But the more she took the pills, the more she wanted them. Soon Rhonda wasn't living any longer—she was just existing.

READ RHONDA'S STORY

12. A CAREER CRIMINAL GETS A HARSH WAKE-UP CALL

HOW A FUNERAL LED TO A REBIRTH

"God, if I have to spend the rest of my life behind walls, I'm going to serve You."

Inspiration Series

There was a point in Don's life when he didn’t believe he would live to see the age of 21. Struggling with addiction and insecurities, Don was in and out of jails and recovery programs along the California coast. Soon he was facing 94 years in prison.

READ DON'S STORY

THE INSPIRATION SERIES

We are so thankful that in an everchanging world we serve a Savior who remains constant and who—amid chaos—still offers restoration. We look forward to another year of powerful stories of God's faithfulness and grace.

DID YOU ENJOY THIS ARTICLE?

Make sure you don't miss out on any of our helpful articles and incredible transformation stories! Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter, and you'll get great content delivered directly to your inbox.

Your privacy is safe with us. We will never sell, trade, or share your personal information.

Filed Under: Advocacy & Reentry, Families of Prisoners, Prison & Prisoners, Prison Fellowship News & Updates Tagged With: Collateral Consequences, COVID-19

SELECT A TOPIC

  • Advocacy & Reentry
  • Angel Tree
  • Families of Prisoners
  • Feature Stories
  • From the CEO
  • Hope Events
  • Inside Journal
  • Press Releases
  • Prison & Prisoners
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Prison Fellowship International
  • Prison Fellowship News & Updates
  • Reentry
  • Second Chance Month
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Warden Exchange

MOST POPULAR

Prison Fellowship Responds to Inaction on Crack Cocaine Sentencing at Close of the 117th Congress

December 20, 2022

Criminal Justice Reform Achievements

December 16, 2022

Prison Fellowship Applauds Congressional Lawmakers for Passage of Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act

December 15, 2022

LATEST VIDEOS

WATCH ALL VIDEOS

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
LINKEDIN
PF®
PFM®

RECOMMENDED LINKS

  • Ways to Donate
  • Inspirational Stories
  • Angel Tree Program
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Justice Reform

RESOURCES

  • For Families & Friends of Prisoners
  • For Churches & Angel Tree Volunteers
  • For Media Outlets

JOIN RESTORATION PARTNERS AND WITNESS GOD RESTORE LIVES

Restoration Partners give monthly to bring life-changing prison ministry programs to incarcerated men and women across the country.

 

JOIN NOW
  • CONTACT US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • PRIVACY
  • FINANCIALS
© 2023 PRISON FELLOWSHIP®

Angel Tree®, Angel Tree Camping®, Angel Tree Sports ClinicTM, Angel Tree Sports CampsTM, and Warden Exchange® are programs of Prison Fellowship®.