Issue 1| 2023

PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
Charlie needed to know that God had a purpose for his life. I
immediately mailed the book to him, asked him to read it, and
told him I would visit him in January. I booked a flight to Chicago
and contacted the warden at Statesville with a request to allow me
extra time with Charlie since I was traveling such a long distance.
God granted me much favor. I was allowed to visit two days in
a row, two hours per visit. My heart leaped when I saw him. All I
could think was that he was the most beautiful thing I had ever
seen. I couldn’t help but think that that is how Jesus sees us, no
matter what we’ve done. We are beautiful and precious in His
eyes, and His heart is full of love for us. (See John 3:16.)
Charlie and I hugged each other tightly. Neither of us wanted
to let go. Afterward, we stared at each other with tear-filled eyes.
We had so much to catch up on. I asked Charlie to forgive me for
abandoning him for so long. I told him I loved him and begged
him never to hurt himself again. He accepted my apology and
jokingly apologized for beating me up when we were kids. We
both had a good laugh.
On our second day’s visit, I asked Charlie if he had read the book
I had sent. He was halfway through it. I encouraged him to keep
reading. “Juliana, you don’t understand,” Charlie interjected, “I
don’t have a purpose. I’m in prison. There is nothing here for me.”
“God gives everyone a purpose, no matter where they are or
what they’ve done,” I told him. “God has a purpose for your life
even in here.” He looked confused.
“You are an OG, Charlie, and God wants to use you. Imagine if
some OG on your first time down had befriended you and taught
you about Jesus. Think about how different things would be.
Instead of wanting to fit in with a gang, you would have been a
disciple for Christ. But you can do that for someone else now. You
might be sentenced to prison for life, but that doesn’t prevent
God from using you. Don’t cheat yourself, Charlie. Keep reading
the book. God has a plan, and you’re about to discover it!”
Not long after, Charlie rededicated his life to Christ. He remembered
the God of his youth just as I had done. And in March
2006, he was baptized. It’s been more than 16 years since that
visit. Charlie has persistently pursued a relationship with Jesus,
just like Jesus pursued him—with his life.
Charlie’s thirst for learning about Jesus has been unquenchable,
and his heart is on fire. Though incarcerated, he has completed
multiple Bible courses, three college degrees, and earned
a doctorate in theology.
Through the power of Jesus in him, Charlie has turned his
deepest hurt into his Christlike ministry on earth. Once low and
despised, he submitted to Jesus, and as promised in 1 Corinthians
1:26–28, God has used what the world would call weak and
foolish to teach righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
Just days after my initial visit with Charlie, God brought a new
friendship into my life. Cheryl lived in Tucson and hosted a weekly
Bible study called SISTER (Spiritually in Step to Encourage Restoration)
Connection, for women recently released from prison.
I was intrigued for many reasons by this unique ministry.
First, I knew that if Charlie had had a Christian friend
come alongside him the first time he was released from
prison, he might have surrendered his life to Jesus
sooner and experienced a different life outcome. And
his victims would still be alive. Second, I realized that,
while many programs existed behind prison walls, few
existed that were willing to help formerly incarcerated
people upon their release and in subsequent years.
Interested to learn more, I visited Cheryl and observed
her ministry in action.
Not long after, God opened doors for me to mirror
Cheryl’s SISTER Connection in Phoenix. My friend
graciously mentored me for nearly five years. In April
God gives everyone a purpose,
no matter where they are or
what they’ve done.
2012, I incorporated SISTER Ministries, Inc. as a 501(c)3
nonprofit outreach to formerly incarcerated women.
In addition to its weekly Bible study and support meetings,
SISTER Ministries maintains a pen-pal ministry
for currently incarcerated women and a gatekeeper
program to assist with transportation upon release. In
November 2022, SISTER Ministries celebrated 16 years
of serving formerly incarcerated women.
I recently asked Charlie, “What did you feel when I
told you that God has a purpose for your life?” He told
me he was shocked. But then, I was surprised God had a
purpose for my life, too. No, I hadn’t murdered anyone,
but I had rebelled against God and rejected His love.
There’s no difference.
How thankful we are that God is rich in mercy, and He
pursued us. His goodness brought us to surrender (Romans
2:4). God loves to shock us with exceedingly more
than we could ever hope or ask (Ephesians 3:14–20).
Does God really have a purpose for your life? Yes,
He does.
God has a purpose, no matter what you’ve done or
where you are. Don’t think that you’ve messed up God’s
plans for a minute. You’re not that big. Surrender your
life to Him—His will, His way. Jesus Christ is a restorer
of hope. He gives purpose to anyone who will lay down
their lives to Him.
Friend, what He did for me and for my brother Charlie,
He can do for you, too.
JULIANA MCFADDEN lives out her life mission daily by
ministering to formerly incarcerated women. To learn more about
how she serves, go to sisterministries.org.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 01 / 2023
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