BIG JOHNNY'S TESTIMONY

I was born in the state of Louisiana. I came from an outstanding family. My father and mother are Christians. I went to school in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. I did graduate from high school out of Oklahoma.

My father and mother would always tell me that I need to go to church I would really rebelled against going to church. I did not believe in God, I didn't even want to hear about God. I got out of school and then I started living in the fast lane; alcohol, drugs and fast trucks. Many people tried to tell me about God, I wouldn't listen.  Well all that got me into trouble! I came to prison and in the hallways, I would see free world volunteers smiling and telling each and everyone about this man called Jesus. I would just walk around them.  Well here on Eastham several inmates and free world volunteers tried many times to get me to go to church. Finally I went to church to get them off of my back but I didn't feel any different. I still didn't believe in God, Jesus!

Well several years past and a few others came to me; they wanted to put me in Kairos!  One day a man called Chi-Lite and a man called Big Phil came to me and told me that I was selected to go to Kairos and they would like to see me go through it. I was told about the food and the fellowship. I was told if I didn't like it, I could leave. I said to them, this is the fourth time I was asked to go to this Kairos and I will go this time just to get you all off of my back. On March 2007 I went to Kairos #13. Man, I never felt anything like that in my entire life. The first day I walked in there, it felt like something was all over me. I can feel something touching me. I wanted to run but Big Phil started laughing and told me to come in and everything would be alright, that I would see! I was encouraged to stay. I did and I am glad that I did! The feeling got stronger each day.

Well on march 24, 2007 at Kairos #13, I broke down and I gave my life to our lord Jesus Christ! If you want to know if I cried, yes I did! I got baptism on May 27, 2007. Big Phil was the one that baptized me. Yeap, he kept me under the water a little longer than the others. Well I do believe in God. God sends His great love through you the free world volunteers. A lot of us never got that kind of love at home. The mentors that come here are sent by God, it means a great deal too each and every one of us. It keeps our hope alive and to know that someone does care. The mentors share how God's love works. Yes! I do believe God is real; God is working in my life! Yes, free world volunteers are really doing a great job doing God's work here. We brother in whites are grateful to have God loving people such as you folks! There are a lot of others that are seeking a mentor to fellowship, to feel the love and to feel that they are needed. The great power of the Holy Spirit is really awesome at the mentor program. God is moving strongly.

I thank God for being my God, the only God. I thank Him for drawing me to Him, I thank God for His son Jesus Christ our lord and savior. I thank God for sending disciples to fellowship to the lost! (me) the feeling that I felt at Kairos, I know now it was the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ knocking at my door! I am experiencing God Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and it is an awesome experience. God is real!

I thank God for all of my family, friends, preachers, teachers, enemies, ex-wives, mentors and all Christians that kept dragging me to the cross. You all's blessings are stored in heaven. You all are in my prayers always! God bless! I love each & everyone. You all are special!

LOVE IN CHRIST,

BROTHER JOHNNY LONG