Martin Shares His Story About Bill
On the night of July 3, 1997 through heartfelt tears, I said, “Jesus, if you are real come into my heart and change my life.” Immediately, his resurrected Spirit entered my body. I felt empowered by the reality of his presence.
After two hours of crying and thanking him, I asked, Lord, “What do I do with my life?” He responded, “Return to Michigan. Turn yourself in to the authorities, and tell the men in prison about me.”
I knew, I would be in prison for a long time, but nothing mattered except following Jesus. One week later, I returned to Michigan and turned myself in for the two bank robberies. In the Kent County Jail, through the eyes of Christ, I saw men whose lives had been destroyed by sin.
I wanted them to know the freedom, joy, and comfort of knowing Jesus Christ. I would purposely interact with them in order to plant the seed of Christ in their hearts.
Three months later, I received a stiff sentence of 8 to 48 and 10 to 60 years in prison. Due to my violent criminal history, I knew, most likely, I would spend the rest of my life behind prison walls.
However, my desire to serve Christ and point men into his arms did not diminish, but rather increased. In Jackson Prison, my burden for the souls of men intensified. I was able to sense their pain.
My first two years were spent in a level 4 maximum security prison spending 23 hours a day in a cement cell. Needless to say, the days were long and quite challenging. However, I occupied my time by praying, memorizing scripture, and reading my Bible for hours at a time.
Eventually, I was moved to a lower security level where the prison population was booming. Through my eyes, Jesus saw a multitude of lives destroyed by sin. I devoted my time to steering my fellow inmates into the arms of Jesus Christ.
So many stories of victories, but I will only share one that stands out in my mind.
In 2001, at the Carson City Correctional Facility, I befriended an older “grumpy” gentleman by the first name of Bill. Bill was 61 years old. He was serving a life sentence for first degree murder. He had been in the prison system for close to 30 years.
One summer afternoon, after watching Bill for a while, I decided to befriend him with every intention of planting the seed of Christ in his angry and restless heart. That day, I walked with him on the prison track. I asked if he would like to attend a weekly church service.
His response left me speechless.
In a harsh tone of voice, he scolded me without mercy for about three minutes. He screamed, “I have been in prison for nearly 30 years, I have watched you Christians and all of you are fake. I want nothing to do with the church.”
Needless to say, I walked away from Bill feeling like a complete and total failure. Instead of bringing him closer to God, I alienated him from God. However, although discouraged, I did not give up on Bill. I continued to talk to God about Bill’s life.
Two weeks later, I approached Bill again as he walked the prison track. This time, I expressed concern regarding his health. Bill and I walked the track and talked for hours. Over the course of a few months, Bill and I became best friends.
Bill was the head tutor at the prison school. Through his assistance, I had become one as well. One particular evening, Bill and I are sitting in a prison classroom grading and reviewing assignments. All of the sudden, I hear the sounds of groaning, wailing and weeping.
I looked at Bill thinking he was having a massive heart attack. Huge tears were flowing down his face. I asked if he wanted me to call the guards for medical assistance. His body trembling and through tears streaming out his eyes said, “Martin, 30 years ago, I killed a man. I hammered him to death. I am a murderer. God will never accept me.”
He could not stop crying. Tears of regret, sorrow, and remorse continued to flow down his face. At that moment, prompted by God’s Spirit, I pointed him to the cross and introduced him to the person of Jesus Christ.
Through tears and sobs, Bill voiced a heartfelt prayer to God. He confessed his sin and accepted God’s pardon through his Son, Jesus Christ. Immediately, the Spirit of Christ entered Bill’s body. Bill raised his arms in victory and wept even more thanking Jesus Christ over and over. His tears were tears of gratitude and eternal happiness.
As my heart bubbled with inexpressible joy, I got teary eyed and began thanking God for his love and mercy over Bill’s life. God gave me the opportunity to disciple Bill for a few months before I got transferred to another prison. After my departure, Bill became a spiritual leader under the umbrella of Alpha Prison Ministries at the Carson City Correctional Facility.
In 2015, Bill went home to be with the Lord.
In 2005, after serving close to 10 years, I was granted parole and released from Jackson Prison.
You may be wondering why I am rambling on about Bill and my prison experience. First of all, the redemption of lost souls is the heartbeat of God. The Bible says God is not willing that anyone should perish. It says, Jesus came to set the captives free and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the devil.
Like Billy Graham, there are many in the body of Christ called to engage in the battle for the salvation of souls. Our time on planet earth is brief. To a large degree, the church has become complacent when it comes to biblical soul winning.
Last summer, Billy Graham appeared to me in a dream. He stood about 20 feet away. He was wearing a very nice suit. He did not say a word. He simply stared at my face with a very deep and concerned look in his eyes. His eyes seem to be on the verge of tears.
Jesus himself is looking directly into the heart, eyes, and face of every believer. He desires for you and I to intervene in the lives of people regardless of their status or walk of life. He cares for the lost. He cares for those on the streets. He cares for those behind prison walls.
He is speaking to each one of us right now. He is saying, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” Go therefore, and preach the gospel to every creature. Church, our season of inactivity is over. The time has come to speak life to the valley of dry bones.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Bill’s testimony, as written by himself, was originally published in 2002 and Martin’s testimony was published in 2006.
Originally published in May 2019
