The power of the Gospel never fails to transform.
As this year comes to an end and we welcome the new year, we pray our top 12 stories of transformation from 2025 will inspire you—as they did us—to encounter Jesus with those impacted by incarceration.
We invite you to pause and enter into these stories, seeing glimpses of what is possible when lives are surrendered to our gracious God. They each reflect the Church inside and outside prison, prayerfully anticipating a revival of justice, mercy, and hope in our culture.
1. THE SCARS ON HER ARMS WEREN'T THE END OF THE STORY
A MOM'S JOURNEY TO FREEDOM IN PRISON
“I want to thank Prison Fellowship from the bottom of my heart, because I was at my most vulnerable, darkest, worst, hardest part of my life. I felt just washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, forgiven and a new creation. I was able to have that start inside of the walls because of Prison Fellowship, and I am forever grateful.”
After 14 years of addiction, Nancy had no home and no hope. She arrived in prison at the end of herself and ready for anything that would help her change for good.
At Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Nancy attended church services led by Prison Fellowship® volunteers. They praised God together in worship and read His Word. Over time, Nancy noticed many of the same volunteers returned every week to share Jesus’ love with her and pray over her. That’s when Nancy says everything changed.
2. INCARCERATION OF THE HEART
IT TOOK GOING TO PRISON FOR TINA TO REALIZE THAT SHE’D ALREADY BEEN INCARCERATED BY BITTERNESS AND UNFORGIVENESS ALL HER LIFE.
“I was a really angry, bitter person who covered it all up with a façade. But now I’m as light as a feather. The peace that surpasses all understanding, that’s an amazing place to be. And that’s by surrendering every day to God.”
While in prison, Tina began seeking out a Christian community and attending classes in the prison chapel. Gradually, she began to see a change in the person she had once been. She moved into the faith-based dormitory at her prison and met other women who were growing in their relationship with Jesus. Tina also began reading Inside Journal®, a quarterly newspaper published by Prison Fellowship.
3. JOY CUTS THROUGH THE NOISE
A CAMPER BECOMES A LEADER.
“Camp is something I do to help. Watching the other leaders helped me see how they work and how they still change things every year. They change things to be more efficient and to be more welcoming.”
At Angel Tree® camp, counselors allowed Thomas to adjust at his own pace to the rhythms of camp life, from journaling to memorizing Bible verses to sleeping in a bunk bed. Thomas opened up about his struggles to fit in and his dad’s incarceration.
Thomas’ first week at camp was far from perfect, but his connection with caring counselors kept him coming back for nine years—and counting.
4. JUST BY SAYING YES
HOW ANGEL TREE CHANGED ONE FAMILY FOREVER
“Once Angel Tree got ahold of us, and through Camp Agape, that’s what made us closer to God.”
Albert’s decision to sign up his kids for Angel Tree Christmas during his incarceration eventually led to his wife dropping them off for a week at camp. And Angel Tree camp prompted the kids to ask their mom to take them to church, which became a life-changing part of the family’s weekly routine and lives.
After Albert’s release from prison, the same church welcomed him home and helped him stay on the path to being the man his family needed.
5. HOPE WROTE A DIFFERENT ENDING
NOBODY IS TOO FAR GONE.
“This is why I’m so passionate about ministry, because it really took just that one person going that extra step for me. Without that introduction to Christ in my life, would I have changed? No. I’d still be in prison.”
After years in and out of prison, Stephanie’s view of herself was limited to “a drug addict, a felon, a victim of human trafficking, a victim of the justice system.”
Today, Stephanie is a director of correctional programs at Prison Fellowship. When she signs her name these days, she precedes her signature with, “In faith.” The words look right sitting next to her name. Her identity is rooted. Her walk is steady and sure.
6. THE HOPE FOUND IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
MELISHA SPENT HER LIFE RUNNING FROM THE LAW—AND RUNNING FROM GOD. WHAT COULD CHANGE HER HEART?
“One of the things I had to do is humble myself. God is the one who elevated and promoted me.”
Melisha’s time in prison was not easy. But God used all her struggles—including her feelings of hopelessness and despair and a lack of purpose in her life—to draw her closer to Him and to prepare her to serve in ways she never could have imagined.
7. A FATHER’S LOVE BREACHES PRISON WALLS
DARRYL’S LIFE SENTENCE COULDN’T KEEP HIM FROM CONNECTING WITH HIS KIDS.
“Once my children understood that this gift was coming from their father, and for them to say, ‘I got your gift—I received a gift that you sent’—that warmed my heart.”
When Darryl entered prison, his kids were both under 2, and he wanted to be involved in their lives as much as possible from behind bars. That desire led him to Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, which enables incarcerated parents to provide their children with the Gospel message, a Christmas gift, and a handwritten note from their parent, all coordinated through a local church.
8. A LIFE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
CHRIS LOVES HOSTING AN ANGEL TREE PARTY EACH YEAR—AND HIS REASON FOR DOING SO IS PERSONAL.
“It was hope that I could give my son something while I was in maximum security—you have little to no access. It was just a hope that I could give him something.”
Chris loves sharing about the freedom he found when spending years in prison within segregated housing and maximum security. It was freedom in Christ. Behind bars, he was grateful to be able to give his son a gift through Prison Fellowship Angel Tree.
Chris began a reentry ministry, helping men returning from prison, and he says, “It is a call from God that 30 years ago, I never would have guessed I would be the man I am today.”
9. THE HEART OF AN ADVOCATE
DANIEL WAS A FIGHTER—BUT THE LORD TURNED HIM INTO AN ADVOCATE.
“You could have all of these strikes against you and God is not through with you. He can take you, and He can raise you up.”
As Daniel looks toward the future, he knows where his path lies: advocating for second chances for individuals, whether it’s as a Justice Ambassador, church member, or friend. God would use his years in and out of prison to serve Him wholeheartedly and with purpose. As he puts it, “only God could take someone from a jailhouse to the halls of Congress.”
10. MICHAEL'S TRAINING FIELDS
INCARCERATION TRANSFORMED MICHAEL INTO EXACTLY WHO GOD WANTED HIM TO BE.
“Sometimes, God had to put you in a place where He closed the world off in order to get your undivided attention. And sometimes, the trials and tribulations that you go through bring you to a point where God wants you to be.”
“Whatever God [has] planned for you, these are your training fields.” These words from Michael’s aunt inspired him to view prison as a training ground. Now, he’s challenging others to do the same. While in prison, Michael learned of the death of his mother, and he dealt with a cancer diagnosis. Through it all, he knew remaining in God’s Word and in community with His people is the key to a victorious life.
11. A YELLOW BUS, A PAINTBRUSH, AND A NEW LEAF
WOODY EXPERIENCED HOLISTIC CHANGE DURING TWO DECADES BEHIND BARS.
“God changed my heart—I don’t want to say I had a calloused heart, but sometimes I reflect back to my old life, and without God in it, and I didn’t have a purpose. I didn’t have any type of outlook on positive things in life. But with God in your life, anything is possible.”
God used Woody’s surrendered heart to refine him and help Woody discover his identity, faith, and the purpose God had for his life. Through the Prison Fellowship Academy, he also discovered his remarkable artistic talent that has proven to be a powerful way to share hope with others.
12. TOGETHER ON PURPOSE, FOR A PURPOSE
ANTHONY AND MONICA FELL IN LOVE TWICE—FIRST WITH EACH OTHER AND THEN WITH JESUS.
“It’s Jesus with His hands out; the Lord is our Plus One. He’s the one that’s always going to be there uplifting us, giving us what we need.”
Placing Christ at the center of their marriage, Anthony and Monica believe they were brought together on purpose, for a purpose: to serve those behind bars, share their testimonies, and encourage those they visit.
“I always say, what an honor that the Lord chose us out of millions and billions of people,” Monica adds. “I’m so honored.”
What made Anthony and Monica quit their jobs to buy and run a food truck?
We are so thankful that in an ever-changing 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.
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