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in this world. It had only led to one painful, lonely, rockbottom place after another. In that humble posture, I heard God’s voice. “Trust Me anyway.” I reached toward the small window at the top of my cell and surrendered to the love of Jesus. “Okay, God. I will trust You anyway!” Immediately, His presence engulfed me and the space around me. Peace replaced years of frustration and fear. Love replaced hatred and bitterness. Suddenly, unexpectedly, I no longer felt like a victim. It was an instantaneous transformation of the heart. Back in general population, the guys immediately knew something was different. “What in the world happened to you?” they asked. Just a few days before, I’d been dealing Ronnie began his education behind bars and received his degree from Ashland University. Pictured here with his Aunt Kathy and Uncle Herb. Ronnie and his wife, Kaitlyn, on their wedding day in 2020, with Uncle Herb and Aunt Kathy. They have always provided support for Ronnie, even at his lowest. and stealing. Now, I wasn’t even cussing. The moment I died to myself and my perception of life, God raised me. “Jesus happened.” From then on, I read the Bible daily and sought God’s will. I was about to spend three years in prison and—I must admit—I was afraid. But knowing God would be walking through those prison doors with me brought comfort, courage, and confidence (Deuteronomy 31:8). I wanted to honor the second chance God was giving me and do my part to better myself. If I wasn’t willing to invest in myself, I certainly couldn’t expect anyone else to care. I sensed God telling me, “If you’ll commit yourself and do the work, I will help you get to where you need to be.” Now that was a good deal! My first commitment was to obtain my GED. Since math had always been a difficult subject for me, I asked another inmate to tutor me. Every day after lunch, this former doctor helped me. It wasn’t easy preparing for the GED, as the test had recently become more complex. I studied for hours daily. It’s like they say: Nothing worth having is easy. I scored so high on the test that I was asked to tutor other inmates for the GED. I couldn’t believe it. For the first time, I was a leader. That alone was a testament to what God can do. Not only had He saved my soul, but He helped me understand things I had struggled with before. He was changing me, making me a better man. I found the confidence to pursue a college degree from Ashland University. They offered an associate’s program to incarcerated people that other universities would accept. I studied hard and was amazed when I made the dean’s list. I’d never cared to apply myself in school, so I’d had no idea what I could do academically. Once released from prison, I completed my education and received my associate’s degree from Ashland. God’s Spirit continually reminded me, “You’re worth the work, Ronnie.” I had never felt worthy of anything good. Nor had I believed I could ever be anything other than a drug addict. But God thought differently about me. He didn’t see an addict or a boy raised in poverty who’d lost his mom and dad. He saw a son whom He loved. Believing I was worthy helped me continue down this new path. It wasn’t always easy. There were many times, especially after I was released from prison, that I was tempted to quit college and return to where I’d been. But God kept spurring me on. “You’re worth the work, Ronnie! Keep pressing forward with Me.” After I graduated from Ashland in 2018, I became a youth 26 Issue 01 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Above: Ronnie had John 3:30 tattooed on his forearm to remind him of John the Baptist’s message that Jesus must increase and we must decrease. 3:30 tattooed on my arm. It than you ever imagined possi- helps me remember the im- ble. I know. I’ve been there. But portant words of John the I’ve learned that with Christ, Baptist about Jesus. “He [Jesus] rock bottom is a great place to must become greater; I must lay a foundation for your new become less” (NIV). life (Matthew 7:24–27). PHOTO BY SWEETBEE PHOTOGRAPHY pastor at a local church. I wanted to help kids discover their worth in God. For so long, I had wanted nothing to do with Him, and now, I was bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others! People used to cross the street to avoid me. Now parents and tion after promotion as I stayed faithful. It’s just like Luke 16:10 promises: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (NIV). Today, I am over the training and development of more than 300 employees. This incredible new life John knew the secret to life: more of Jesus, less of self. It’s the only way to experience the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10. How about you? Will you choose to trust God anyway? Will you lay down your anger and disappointments, uncurl God’s got good plans in store for you (Jeremiah 29:11). How can you experience them? Remember John 3:30. More of Him and less of you. Trust God today. When you do, He won’t waste any time restoring and rebuilding your life. I won’t promise His plans will youth were coming to me for started with a simple: “Okay, your fists, and open your heart be easy. But no matter what you advice. It was incredible. God, I’ll trust You anyway.” to the One who loves you—even face, God’s goodness will meet Only God could transform The moment I died to myself if life hasn’t happened like you you there. And His grace will this dirty, lying, and conniving and my perception of life, God thought it should? And will you help you move forward to great manipulator into a man other raised me. He gave me new believe that you are worth a bet- heights. people trusted. eyes and a new heart (Ezekiel ter life? Don’t focus on that thing you New doors began opening for 36:26) and set my feet on a new Right now, your experiences never had. You’ll miss the better me, and I left my youth pastor path (Proverbs 3:5–6). And as might have brought you lower thing God has for you today. position to travel nationwide, I humble myself before Him sharing my story. I also took a job at Christian Healthcare Ministries. God brought promo- daily, God continues to lift me (James 4:10). Not too long ago, I had John RONNIE HOPKINS is the training and development coordinator for Christian Healthcare Ministries. He is also a spokesperson and advocate for educational opportunities in prison. VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM Issue 01 / 2023 27
Page 1 and 2: REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL H
Page 3 and 4: ISSUE 1, JANUARY 2023 “God saved
Page 5 and 6: ISSUE 1, JANUARY 2023 CONTENTS 8 9
Page 7 and 8: Through the stories of Victorious L
Page 9 and 10: STEPPING FORWARD Flourish in His Ca
Page 11 and 12: My new look quickly attracted the w
Page 13 and 14: PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS PHOTOGRA
Page 15 and 16: TRANSFORMED LIVES PHOTO BY LYSSA YA
Page 17 and 18: while my children participated in a
Page 19 and 20: STEPPING FORWARD BENCHED BY GOD? US
Page 21 and 22: It was too much to bear, and I step
Page 23 and 24: PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS PHOTOGRA
Page 25: my father’s stepson; perhaps that
Page 29 and 30: TRANSFORMED LIVES more of a champio
Page 31 and 32: STEPPING FORWARD Your Pain Has Purp
Page 33 and 34: WANT TO KNOW JESUS? “Come to me,

Issue 1| 2023

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