VL - Issue 42 - January 2022

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What I did not realize at the time was that my dad had become a Christian on the telephone right along with me. Just like Nicodemus in John 3, we were both born again. Dad had been observing the unmistakable change in my mom’s way of life and that night, he surrendered to the one true God too. My father, Manolo, was a mighty man of God from that day forward. God answered my prayer, and His Holy Spirit gave me the courage to fly home to New York with my family and take responsibility for the crimes I had committed. FBI agents were waiting for me when I deplaned at Kennedy International Airport, and they took me into custody. They escorted me to a regional office in Newark, New Jersey, where other FBI agents booked and fingerprinted me and confiscated my US passport. Then, I was released on bond. Because I had pleaded guilty, there was no trial. Incredibly, the judge sentenced me to only three years at Allenwood Federal Prison in Montgomery, Pennsylvania. God’s amazing grace was on full display. And soon there would be more. Typically, incarceration begins immediately after sentencing, but I did not go to prison right away. The judge allowed me to go home for three more months and then to report to prison on my own, unescorted. I treasured this time with my family and appreciated the opportunity to set my things in order. When the time came, my family drove with me to prison. Once I was processed, a correctional officer came to take me away. Tears flowed as I hugged Cecilia, my parents, and my children goodbye. Leaving them was very hard as my future felt so uncertain. We put everything in God’s hands. I changed into prison clothes, and then I was fingerprinted again and checked in. My ID card proclaimed that I was prisoner #07592-050. Humiliation does not begin to describe the experience. My boots and pants didn’t fit, and for the first two weeks, I had no pillow. My top bunk was in a dormitory with 74 other men. What a change in lifestyle! But God was faithful to me. Before prison, I had never in my life cleaned a room or even made my bed, so my first work assignment was a rude awakening. I would be cleaning the bathrooms. Now, I didn’t know how to clean a bathroom, but I had traveled in high-class circles, so I knew what one should look like. So I set my expectations accordingly. Colossians 3:23 says that whatever we do, we should do it unto God. It seemed to me that, as a Christian, my actions should reveal my love for God. He deserved my best efforts. I was His ambassador and wanted to reflect Him positively everywhere and in every way. I quickly learned about work ethic and principles like “hitting the corners.” A superficial clean wasn’t good enough; I wanted those bathrooms to be clean from top to bottom, just like I wanted my life to be pure before God. It never failed though—just as I finished cleaning, some guy would come in and mess it all up. Nevertheless, I cleaned to the best of my ability for eight hours a day, and I did it for the glory of God. He had ordained this work to humble me. What I didn’t know was that God was preparing me for a ministry of “getting dirty.” He was about to call me to an up-close-andpersonal ministry with people the world didn’t want to touch. I knew my salvation was real because this unpleasant work didn’t produce a com plaining attitude, not even hidden in my heart. Only the Holy Spirit could have brought about that transformation. Manny (white suit) at the Prison Fellowship banquet where he met many mighty men of God. Apart from Jesus, I had nothing to bring to the table. God was the only One who could change my life; my task was to submit, surrender, and let God have His way. Sometimes I failed miserably because my stubborn, sinful human nature resisted change. But God, so rich in mercy, always forgave me and helped me move forward better (Ephesians 2:4–5; 1 John 1:9). I was developing into a new person, and I knew I did not want to go back to the man I had been. I didn’t like him, so I aimed to draw closer to Jesus. Only He could help me develop godly traits and bear lasting fruit in my life (John 15:1–5). I didn’t know God very well yet, but I knew He was for real, and that authenticity attracted me like a magnet. Several godly inmates and I began holding daily prayer meetings to help other inmates know God. Not long after, God brought a new chaplain to our prison. We worked together to organize the church body, and the church began to grow. Chaplain Cordero and I planned a weekend marriage seminar sponsored by Prison Fellowship. The men and I were excited to encounter God in a new way with our spouses. What a treasured opportunity! When the time came, the chaplain and I were at the door, welcoming the wives. I was so excited...but grew concerned when Cecilia didn’t arrive. A phone call to my mother-in-law revealed that Cecilia had left New Jersey and gone to Miami with our children. I felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped 22 Issue 01 / 2022 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
PHOTO BY MARY WHITMER I knew I did not want to go back to the man I had been. I didn’t like him, so I aimed to draw closer to Jesus. on my head. Divorce papers arrived a few weeks later. I don’t blame Cecilia for our marriage ending; I blame myself. The consequences of my actions made life difficult for her and our children. Thankfully, the Lord has helped me learn from my mistakes so I could be a better husband and father in the future. I attended a Prison Fellowship Ministries (PFM) banquet with five other inmates in my final year of incarceration. Billy Graham was the keynote speaker. By God’s providence, I sat next to a member of PFM’s executive board. He asked about my post-incarceration plans. “Sir, by faith, I am going to Wheaton Bible College. I just applied for a scholarship there,” I replied. I said “in faith” because the admission date for college was August of 1988, and my release date wasn’t until January 1989. I was trusting God to work out my release if He wanted me to go. As we talked, I could tell this man was genuinely interested in my desire to attend Wheaton. Then the man introduced himself. “Manny,” he said, “my name is Kenneth Wessner. I am the chairman of the board of Wheaton College.” My jaw about hit the table! Clearly, God had ordained this meeting for me. Dr. Wessner took a chance on me and championed my cause. Talk about godly love; this man didn’t even know me. God worked out every detail, and I started my studies at Wheaton College on the Charles W. Colson Scholarship. I studied hard to receive a bachelor of arts degree in biblical studies. Then I attended graduate school and pursued my master’s in theological studies. While there, and in collaboration with several people, I developed the concept of a Koinonia House, a family home where prisoners could live after their release, witness a healthy family life, and receive help integrating back into society. Dr. Wessner helped me develop the Koinonia House, and our doors opened to inmates in late 1991. Not long after, the Lord blessed me with a most beautiful gift—my wife, Barbara. We met while I was on an internship in Israel as a student with Wheaton College. She had just arrived and was leading a group of students from Philadelphia Bible College. She was pursuing a master’s degree in Bible geography. We met on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem on what happened to be my last day of parole. (I had received special permission to go abroad.) I was instantly attracted to Barbara, but we both knew we’d need to be careful in establishing a relationship. We wanted godly discernment, not man’s approval. We both sought wise counsel, and God worked through His people to affirm direction from the Holy Spirit. After much prayer and consideration, Barbara and I felt released to be married. For the last 32 years, we have served the Lord in our national prison ministry, Koinonia House Ministries, and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. Not only is she my wife, she is my best friend and ministry partner too. Barbara has also been instrumental in restoring my relationships with my children, Manny Jr. and Cesia. Today, we have a healthy relationship. Not only that, God blessed Barbara and me with two sons, Howard and Kenneth, and even brought my daughter Sasha, from another relationship, into my life. God’s grace and love have restored my life beyond my wildest expectations (Ephesians 3:20). Today, I am the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren and a great-grandson. I am so glad that God arrested me with His love and confronted me with His truth One of God’s greatest gifts to Manny has been his wife, Barbara. years ago. His goodness chased me down and led me to repentance (Romans 2:4). Because of Him, I have hope (Ephesians 2:12–13). God resurrected my life from the dead, and He made me a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). I have been born again into His family. Alleluia! My wise mother once told me that “to repent is to live.” Today, I tell you the same. Are you ready to live? To quit running and find rest? Then turn from serving the trinity of self and live for God. Surrender your heart and mind to Him and trust His love for you. God will never leave you or forsake you. It’s time to repent so you can live. Pray with me: “God, forgive me for sinning against You. I’m guilty and ashamed. I don’t want to run anymore. Lord, save me. Come into my heart and change my life. I need Your help. Give me the courage to face what I’ve done and make it right. Strengthen me to face my family and the world with Your truth. Amen.” MANNY MILL is the founder of Koinonia House® National Ministries. Read Manny’s full redemption story in Radical Redemption: The Real Story of Manny Mill, written by Manny with Jude Skallerup, published by Moody Publishers, 2004. Discover the power of prayer through Radical Prayer: The Power of Being Bold and Persistent, written by Manny with Harold Smith and Barbara Mill. To invite Manny to speak at your event, call 630-221-9930 or email Manny@khnm.net. VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM Issue 01 / 2022 23
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VL - Issue 42 - January 2022

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