One meeting with an attorney helped change Terry’s outlook on life.
God used an attorney to speak life into me when I was staring down a long prison sentence.
I was hoping the attorney would represent me, but he said he couldn’t. He was only there to share a message he said was from God.
“It’s not over,” he told me. He added there was light at the end of the tunnel for me, and I needed to dive into the Bible and rebuild my life while in prison.
That encounter helped shape the trajectory of the rest of my life.
ROUGH UPBRINGING
I have called Michigan home for almost all of my life. Growing up in Detroit was difficult. I was the youngest of three boys living with Mom. Dad wasn’t present, and the consequences of an absentee father began to rear their ugly head early on.
In 1970s Detroit, you either joined a gang or fought with one. I did the latter for a while before I got tired of fighting and decided to join. Meanwhile, Mom smoked marijuana, and I first tried it at nine. I then held a gun for the first time at 11 before being introduced to alcohol.
With our father not in the picture, my oldest brother assumed the father figure and disciplinarian roles. But his life was sadly ended when he was murdered. I was just 15, and our family lost its balance. My middle brother then went to prison soon after that. Those events led me to dive further into a life of crime as I lacked a clear sense of direction.
I smoked crack cocaine for the first time in my early 20s and was facing multiple felony charges including robbery soon after that. I was then sentenced to 25 to 50 years.
COME TO JESUS MOMENT
I really wanted a particular attorney to represent me. So you can imagine my surprise when he said he couldn’t do that. Instead, he delivered a message that God had something better in mind for my life.
I thought back to my childhood. I knew Jesus was real as Mom would often say He’s coming back. Even with that knowledge and a big leather Bible in our home, we didn’t go to church often. When we did, we bounced around between Catholic and Baptist churches.
The flood of memories sent me on a search for answers. I knew God was after me, but I didn’t know what He wanted. So I asked Him. He made it clear He could use me for His purposes.
HOPE AND TRAGEDY
With a new sense of excitement, I began to pursue my own personal walk with Jesus while in prison. I went to church, and God provided a mentor.
My mentor told me, “I’m going to help you,” and he meant it.
He walked with me and helped me understand the Word of God to the point where I began holding Bible studies.
Mom’s struggle with drugs followed her for years. She spent about two years in federal prison, which occurred at the same time I was behind bars. She got out, and I received a letter from her one Saturday. Just three days later, I knew something was wrong when I got an unannounced visit.
I was told she died of a drug overdose. The news crushed me. I hadn’t opened her letter and wouldn’t be able to do so for a week. When I mustered up the courage to finally do so, she said she was tired and ready to be in the Lord’s presence. I prayed about it and felt God say He had her. That gave me a sense of peace.
Another thing that brought me peace was knowing my kids were taken care of during Christmas thanks to Prison Fellowship® Angel Tree. My son and daughter would get gifts, and I would hear about their excitement. I too was excited when they asked for volunteers on the inside to help sign people up. It was my goal to ensure as many kids as possible received a gift.
ADVOCATING FOR OTHERS
I served 22 years in prison before being released more than a decade ago. I began working as a substance abuse counselor as I saw the toll addiction had taken on my family. Sadly, that disease would lead to yet another tragedy.
My son went to prison just as I was getting out. He served two years before being released. I’m thankful for the year that followed because it would be my last with him. He struggled with alcohol and died in a moped accident while under the influence.
Even though I’ve experienced much heartache, I have found my purpose in advocating for others. My first experience came when I had the chance to join Prison Fellowship for a lobby day at the Michigan Capitol to discuss pretrial and bail. I was working in the transitional housing and recovery spaces with an organization at the time, and I jumped at the opportunity. I came away with the impression that lawmakers were willing to listen to those with real-life experience.
Being a Justice Ambassador allows me to help those coming behind me. I’m especially passionate about helping men of color navigate the justice system. We know that racial disparities exist, and I want to be a voice for the voiceless.
Prison Fellowship allows me to do that, and I’m forever grateful.
RAISE YOUR VOICE!
We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors' voices can be an effective tool to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores.
Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today!
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