Issue 4 | 2023

REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE
DAR VUELTA
PARA VER
EN ESPAÑOL
YOU HAVE A FAMILY
THE PRISON OF BITTERNESS
A magazine
on a mission:
see page 2
Issue 04 / 2023

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VICTORIOUS LIVING
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PHOTO BY EDOVO

ISSUE 4, OCTOBER 2023
“Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from
the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.” Isaiah 38:17 NIV
Publisher & Executive Director
Kristi Overton Johnson
Editor
Rachel Overton
Editorial Team
Karissa Anderson
Kate Harrington
Kristi Overton Johnson
Rachel Overton
Carla Owens
Spanish Translation
Ebert Morillo
Production Manager
Christina Kimbrel
Digital Content Managers
Sheridan Correa
Roman Randall
Director of Prison Correspondence
Lauren Everett
Director of Partner Care
Pat Avery
Director of Development
Ashley Smith
Photography
JC Almanza, Courtesy of
Arizona Portraits, LLC
Byrd Family, Courtesy of
Mike Barber Ministries
EDOVO
Donnie Eagle Photography
Bill Fay, Courtesy of
Deborah Griffin Photography
Kristi Overton Johnson
Lauren Jones
Joey Meddock Photography
Drew Nicolello
Parker Overton Photography
Ted Squires
Creative Designer
Lauren Jones
Creative Content Team
Deborah Griffin
Kristi Overton Johnson
Christina Kimbrel
Administrative Director
Carla Owens
Hispanic Outreach Director
Denise San Miguel
Artwork
Incarcerated Family Member
Cover Photography
Arizona Portraits, LLC
Story Contributors
Julio “JC” Almanza
Lisa Appelo
Roy A. Borges
Parker Byrd
Stefanie Cabaniss
Sheridan Correa
Bill Fay
Kristi Overton Johnson
Christina Kimbrel
Chris McCrimmon
Naya Powell
Victorious Living magazine is a publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries, a 501(c) (3)
organization. Copyright © 2023, Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries, all rights
reserved. For permission to reprint or copy any material contained herein, please
contact us at admin@vlmag.org.
DISCLAIMER: The articles featured in Victorious Living are designed to inspire and encourage
our readers by sharing powerful testimonies from people who, we believe, have been transformed
by God’s grace, love, and power. The articles are focused on each individual’s testimony.
Although we conduct some independent research, we rely heavily on the information provided
to us by those we interview. Our articles are not intended to be an endorsement of the views,
opinions, choices, or activities of the persons whose stories we feature. The statements, views,
and opinions of those persons whose stories we feature are purely their own, and we do not
control and are not responsible for any such statements, views, or opinions.
HOW TO REACH VICTORIOUS LIVING
General, Subscription, and Partnership Inquiries
• Victorious Living
PO Box 2801, Greenville, NC 27836
• 352-478-2098
• admin@vlmag.org
All VL Prison Outreach Correspondence
• Victorious Living Correspondence Outreach
PO Box 2751, Greenville, NC 27836
• hope@vlmag.org
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Scripture marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, copyright
©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. | Scripture marked NLT is taken from the Holy Bible, New
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used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
3

THE VICTORIOUS LIVING STORY
One visit with an incarcerated friend in 2013 opened the eyes
of Victorious Living founder, Kristi Overton Johnson, to the
hopelessness of life behind bars. It also birthed in her a desire to
deliver hope to the souls of incarcerated men and women.
Soon after, God opened doors for Victorious Living magazine to
be distributed in the prison system. He then led Kristi and the VL
team onto prison yards to share His message of hope in person and,
more recently, digitally through prison tablets.
Before that prison encounter, Kristi had
spent 35 years water-skiing competitively
worldwide, never considering those
who had lost their freedom. But God
had a plan for this world champion
water-skier to go behind bars to
encourage hearts with God’s love
and His message of redemption
and to equip people to get up and
experience victorious living for
themselves.
Since 2013, Victorious Living
magazine has impacted the lives of
over one million incarcerated souls...
and the story is still being written.
BE A PART OF THE
VL STORY
Victorious Living is a great
way to carry out God’s
command to remember the
prisoner (Matthew 25:34–40;
Hebrews 13:3). Here’s how
you can help us deliver hope
to the incarcerated.
SHARE
Share VL with your local church,
chaplain, jail, or prison. VL is a
great mission to support and a
good tool to use too!
SUPPORT
VL is partner supported. Your taxdeductible
gift sends copies of
VLMag into jails and prisons, where
it saves lives. And when you give,
we’ll send you a copy too.
SPONSOR
Sponsor jails and prisons to receive
quarterly cases of VL. It costs us
$500 to supply 1 case of VL to 1
facility, each quarter, for 1 year.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Visit our website and social media
platforms. Like. Follow. Share.
@victoriouslivingmag
PHOTO BY MIKE BARBER MINISTRIES PHOTO BY JOEY MEDDOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
VISIT VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM OR CALL 352-478-2098

ISSUE 4, OCTOBER 2023
CONTENTS
PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS
8
9
19
29
13
STEPPING FORWARD
Feel the Pain, Embrace
the Healing
BY NAYA POWELL
One in a World of Two
BY LISA APPELO
Be the One to Tell Them
BY CHRISTINA KIMBREL
Look for the Blessings
BY ROY A. BORGES
TRANSFORMED
LIVES
You Have a Family
BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
A recent trip to the Holy Land brought
our publisher to a deeper understanding
of what being part of the family of God
really means. Believers from all over the
25
10
world were there to celebrate Jesus, and
the unique DNA of their transformed
hearts proved to be a powerful bonding
agent. In the same way, you have a
family here at Victorious Living.
The Prison of Bitterness
BY SHERIDAN CORREA
Life is full of hurt and disappointment,
but pushing those feelings aside allows
them to grow into bitterness, and
bitterness will take you down. God has a
better plan.
FEATURES
Come Out of the Grave
THE STORY OF CHRIS MCCRIMMON
In prison for attempted murder, robbery,
and aggravated assault, Chris didn’t
think things could get worse. Then he
was falsely convicted for a different
murder. Sitting on death row, Chris finally
remembered what he’d learned about
God in childhood, including that God
could give him a new heart and a new life.
ON THE COVER
JC’s life is one of
tragedy to triumph.
Years of childhood
abuse set his life on
a dark course until
God intervened.
Once a man to
be feared, JC now
brings life and hope
into the lives of
others.
16
20
26
30
God’s Plan Is Still Good
THE STORY OF PARKER BYRD
A fun afternoon on the water turned tragic
for college freshman, Parker Byrd. Twentytwo
surgeries and a leg amputation later,
he faced the likelihood that his dreams of
playing college baseball were over. Where
were God’s “good plans” now?
COVER STORY
Wrong to Strong
THE STORY OF JULIO (JC) ALMANZA
To say JC’s life has been colorful would be
an understatement at best. From drug
running on the streets of Chicago at 11
to incarceration in a Mexican prison at 17
to finishing that sentence in a US federal
facility at 24, JC didn’t have time for God.
But God had time for him. Today, God’s
peace and joy shine through his life as JC
serves Christ wholeheartedly.
The Best Part of Your Day
BY STEFANIE CABANISS
When Stefanie’s best friend Mo was
diagnosed with cancer, she became Mo’s
caregiver, willingly entering in to the pain
and struggle of survival. But as the disease
progressed, Mo’s ability to find something
good in every day, no matter what, baffled
and angered Stefanie. What good could
possibly come from Mo’s illness?
Looking for Peace
THE STORY OF BILL FAY
As a successful professional gambler before
he finished college, Bill had it all—money,
power, possessions, and women. Degree in
hand, he moved up quickly in both business
and the underworld. But no matter how
much he obtained, something deep inside
him was never satisfied.
IN EVERY ISSUE
6
Publisher’s Note
Ten Years of God’s Faithfulness
33
Want to Know Jesus?
I’m Saved...Now What?
34
Ministry Info/Resources
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
5

PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Celebrating Ten Years of
God’s Faithfulness
Would you like to partner with
our magazine to deliver God’s
hope and to impact the lives of
incarcerated men and women?
Your gift enables us to send
this magazine into prisons
around the nation. Each
magazine impacts many lives
for years to come. To help, visit
victoriouslivingmagazine.com.
T
en years have passed since Vic torious
Living magazine began delivering
hope to incarcerated persons.
It all started when the Florida Department
of Corrections invited me to distribute
this magazine within its facilities. Since
then, Victorious Living and our other prison
outreaches have been impacting lives
in thousands of facilities across America.
I was in awe when the Florida DOC’s
request came. While I had recently visited
a friend in prison and had sensed God
inviting me on an adventure with Him to
minister to the incarcerated, it had not occurred
to me that they might be interested
in our magazine.
But God had a plan. And with the DOC’s
invitation, He set it in motion.
I’d been publishing Victorious Living for
two years at that point, and truthfully, I’d
often wondered why I was doing it. Interviewing
people, writing, and editing their
God-stories was time-consuming and costly.
Even my kids would ask, “Mom, why
are you doing this?” It didn’t make sense.
But the stories kept coming, and God
kept giving me the energy and ability to
write this magazine that He’d told me to
distribute for free.
I did my best to remain faithful to the
call, even though people weren’t knocking
down the office doors to get their copies. In
moments of discouragement, I wondered
who would miss my little project if I gave
up on it. What difference was I making?
Of course, God knew there were millions
of people in prison who were waiting
for these stories of hope, even though
I couldn’t yet see the bigger picture.
Following God’s call had required me to
take many courageous, faith-filled steps
over the years, but this magazine was the
biggest one yet. I had to constantly remind
myself that it was God’s idea. He’d
used it to invite me on this adventure of
delivering hope to the incarcerated. He’d
put Victorious Living into the hands of the
DOC and opened this door of incredible
opportunity. I had done none of that. So
who was I to say no?
Still, all I could think about was how I
would pay for the increased printing and
shipping costs of all those extra magazines.
Then someone suggested that if it was
God’s will, surely it was His bill.
It was, but still… Every issue brings me
to a crossroads—should I wait until I have
the money in hand, or should I let it go to
press regardless of the numbers in my
bank account? Well, let me tell you. God
has proven Himself faithful every time,
making it obvious this is His operation.
Indeed, this magazine is an undeniable
testimony that He has never failed to meet
my steps of faith. To the tune of over a million
dollars’ worth of free magazines, He
has never been late with the needed provision.
To God be the glory.
As you read this issue, let it remind you
of God’s faithfulness to His people and to
His call on our lives. And if you are incarcerated,
let it be a reminder of His faithful
love for you. He led me to publish this
magazine specifically for you. It contains
His love letter to you.
Friend, God is faithful, and He is trustworthy.
Is there a step of faith He’s asking
you to take? Maybe it’s a step toward Jesus
as your Lord and Savior. Maybe it’s a step
of obedience into a call. Or maybe He just
wants you to stop doing what you’re doing
and trust Him to do what you can’t. Whatever
it is, it’s time to move. Faith without
action is not faith at all (James 2:14–26).
Trust me, God will meet you on the other
side of your step of faith. He’s got you.
And He’s got what you need when you need
it. May the testimonies of our contributors
and my testimony here encourage your
heart today.
Kristi Overton Johnson
Publisher & Executive Director
PHOTO BY TED SQUIRES
6 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

Through the stories of
Victorious Living, men and women
behind bars meet the God
of another chance.
Testimony of
Victorious Living Impact:
David Sheppard
PHOTO BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
SPONSOR A PRISON IN YOUR STATE
AND IMPACT LIVES TODAY.
Visit victoriouslivingmagazine.com.
Things were so messed up
in my life. I felt trapped and
prayed for God to change my
circumstances. He did, after
a physical altercation sent
me to jail. Not the change I’d
hoped for.
Being in jail is hard, especially
during the holidays. But God
reminded me of His love
when VL’s publisher, Kristi, her
daughters, and her assistant,
Carla, visited our facility in
2022. They brought holiday
cheer and left us with the gift
of Victorious Living magazine.
It was like a visit from
heaven. Through them, God
showed me that He still loves
me, and He revealed that I
wasn’t in jail just because of
my crime, but so I could receive
His message of love through
VL. God wanted me to know
that He wasn’t done with me.
As Kristi spoke to us, a new
feeling of hope and purpose
came over me, and I didn’t
feel trapped or lost in this
world anymore. God assured
me that He’s preparing me for
something greater.
God gave me the gift of
seeing the VL team again
the day before my release,
and He’s continued to keep
us connected. I’ve even been
waterskiing with them! Isn’t
God something? I’m thankful
to be a part of the Victorious
Living family.

STEPPING FORWARD
Feel the Pain,
Embrace the Healing
BY NAYA POWELL
“THIS HIGH PRIEST OF OURS understands
our weaknesses, for he faced all the
same testings we do” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).
As I was enjoying the savory, Southern
goodness of a smothered turkey wing for
lunch, I bit the inside of my cheek. Ouch!
For the rest of the day, I was careful not to
chew food or gum using the injured side
of my mouth. The ongoing discomfort
was a stark reminder of the intense pain
that would follow if I were to bite the same
spot again.
After a couple of days, the soreness
went away. Assuming it was healed, I began
chewing gum as I normally would,
but I ended up biting the same spot again
because—surprise!—it was still a little
swollen. It hurt worse now than it had the
first time I bit it, and I realized that not
feeling the pain on the inside of my cheek
didn’t mean that the area had healed.
In fact, the numbness had just made
it easier for my routine chewing to cause
reinjury.
The physical, mental, and emotional
injuries we experience in life are just like
that. We endure something for so long or
we are hurt so many times that we become
numb to the pain. We’re functional, so we
think we’re fine—but in reality, we still
need to heal.
Pain tells us that something is wrong
and that corrective action should be taken.
Numbness or indifference can indicate
that the hurt we experienced in the past
is more serious than we thought. The pain
still remains, and unresolved pain can
result in passivity, poor judgment, and
further injury. But sometimes it’s easier
to pretend that we’re fine, to deny those
feelings, and to “suck it up”—all to our
detriment.
There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging
our feelings. God has feelings too,
and when we see His emotions in scripture,
they are often in direct response to
ours. He feels love (Jeremiah 31:3; John
3:16); hate (Psalm 5:5, 11:5; Proverbs
6:16); joy (Zephaniah 3:17); sorrow (Psalm
78:40; John 11:35); pain (Psalm 22:14–18);
compassion (Psalm 135:14), and more.
We don’t need to be afraid to admit that
we have feelings, especially the painful
ones. Pain is an inevitable part of the
human experience. Whether stemming
from physical injury, emotional trauma, or
psychological struggles, pain can be overwhelming
and debilitating. A wound that
hasn’t been tended to or given a chance
to heal is easily reopened.
When we acknowledge our pain, accept
its presence, and actively engage in the
healing process, we can begin the transformative
journey toward healing and wholeness.
It’s important to allow ourselves time
to heal. We shouldn’t rush to replace what’s
lost or try to reshape our lives to disguise
the pain. Just be still (Psalm 46:10).
Healing takes time, patience, and
self-compassion, but we will not be in pain
forever. Psalm 30:5 says, “weeping may
last through the night, but joy comes with
the morning” (NLT). God wants to heal every
hurt we have, so embrace both the pain
and the healing process.
We’re never alone; even
in our pain, God is there.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for
being the God that heals me. Help me to
recognize the unhealed areas in my heart.
I ask You, Lord, to heal them all. I give my
pain to You and embrace Your healing.
Let me know when to move forward in
the injured areas of my life. I trust Your
wisdom. Amen.
NAYA POWELL is a freelance writer and editor,
currently working as a marketing and graphics
specialist. She is a Christian minister and enjoys
supporting outreach ministries including Habitat
for Humanity and Tried by Fire Ministries, a ministry
helping incarcerated women reenter society and live
healthy, productive lives.
8 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

STEPPING FORWARD
ONE IN A
WORLD OF TWO
BY LISA APPELO
I DIDN’T EXPECT VALENTINE’S DAY TO
be so painful.
I needed some ingredients for dinner, and I
was blissfully unaware that it was February 14
as I strode through the door of the grocery store.
I stopped, caught off guard by the scene before
me. The store was awash in pink and red.
Men in dress shirts and ties from a day at the
office strode past me, arms loaded with bouquets
and balloons. Women, too, though noticeably
fewer. I sighed. Getting to the items I needed to
cook dinner would mean passing through stands
of roses, tables stacked with heart-shaped cupcakes
and cookie cakes, and bins filled with
assorted boxed chocolates.
I decided to take a shortcut to the back of the
store, but that was a poor choice. I ended up in
the card aisle. Hallmark central was filled top
to bottom with pink and red cards and crowded
with last-minute shoppers, frantically searching
for that perfect card.
This grocery run unexpectedly triggered my
dormant grief. I’ve been a widow since 2011.
You’d think I’d have this handled by now, but on
that Valentine’s Day, everything I missed rushed
back to haunt me.
I’d gotten used to the single-mom life. The
raw pain from my husband’s unexpected death
had softened, along with the scary unfamiliarity
of doing things alone. I’d grown accustomed to
using only a small part of my bed, to going solo
to parties and events and movies, and raising the
kids on my own. I’d even begun to dream new
dreams and was tackling a reviving wish list.
But running headfirst into the world of all
things romance messed with me, and I left the
grocery store with a fresh wave of loss.
Being one in a world that used to be two is hard.
The thing is, I don’t want to spend my time
pining for what I don’t have or being caught off
guard by unexpected triggers. So I’ve developed
a battle plan to help manage the pain. Maybe it
can help you too.
USE YOUR GRIEF TO PRAY FOR OTHERS.
People all around us are hurting. Our pain and
loneliness are healthy reminders to pray for
friends and family who are grieving and to reach
out to let them know they are seen and loved.
CELEBRATE THE LOVE YOU DO HAVE. When
my emotions are sinking, I’ve found that reaching
out to others can provide a considerable
boost. Proverbs 11:25 says, “those who refresh
others will themselves be refreshed” (NLT). Instead
of getting caught up in relationships we
don’t have, we can nourish the ones that we do.
TREAT YOURSELF. Do something for yourself
to lift your spirits. Read a book. Listen to music.
Visit with a friend. Go for a walk. Make plans.
STAY CLEAR OF TRIGGERS. Be aware of what
sends your emotions spiraling into a funk.
Knowing your triggers helps you avoid them.
Take positive steps like those listed here instead.
SURPRISE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS AN ACT
OF LOVE. Joy is contagious, and giving it away
is a great way to fill a lonely or hurting heart.
Surprise others with a word of encouragement
or a gift. Let them know they are seen and loved.
GIVE YOUR PAIN TO GOD. Pain, given and entrusted
to God, has a great purpose. God will not
waste it! Let Him reshape your wounded heart.
Let Him be your comfort and fill the emptiness.
Let Him satisfy your longings. Let Him deepen
your faith as you wait in the wilderness. Choose
to praise God through the pain.
I’D BEEN A
WIDOW SINCE
2011, BUT
THIS DAY, THE
GAPING HOLE
OF WHAT
I MISSED
BUBBLED TO
THE TOP.
LISA APPELO is a speaker,
writer, and Bible teacher
who inspires women to
deepen their faith during
times of grief and to find
hope in the hard. Formerly
a litigating attorney, her
days are now filled with
parenting seven children,
ministering, writing,
speaking, and running
enough to justify eating
lots of dark chocolate.
Find encouragement at
LisaAppelo.com.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
9

HELEN D. MCCRIMMON, MY NANA, WAS
the glue that held my family together. She
was a mighty woman of God who wanted
everyone in her household to know
Jesus, the Savior she loved and served
(Joshua 24:15).
COME OUT OF
THE GRAVE
When Nana moved from where we grew
up in Oklahoma to Tucson, Arizona, my
mom packed up my two little sisters and
me and followed. Our new neighborhood
was notorious for gang violence and drugs;
it was the local ground zero for the crack
epidemic that ripped apart communities
all over the country in the 1980s.
Most adults in my family struggled with
addiction. My mom wasn’t a drug addict,
but she had other issues. That left me, my
sisters, and Nana to navigate a war zone
within our home and outside our door.
Nana reminded me of my essential role
on a regular basis. “Chris, no matter what
happens, remember that you are the man
of this house. I need you to stay out of trouble
and protect your sisters.”
I was in elementary school when Mom
went to prison. Nana stepped in to raise
us and instilled godly values. The only
drug problem she had was dragging me
to church!
THE STORY OF
CHRIS MCCRIMMON
“You’ve got to get trained in God’s Word,
baby. Write it on your heart. And know
this: the Lord will find and rescue you even
if you wander from Him.” (See Proverbs
22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6–8.)
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior
while I lived with her. I learned about
Bible heroes like Joseph, Moses, and David.
But then Nana got sick and moved into
a nursing home, so my sisters and I went
to live with our aunt.
Everything changed. Away from church
and Nana’s watchful eyes, I forgot all about
God and my Bible heroes. The outside
world looked more fun than church, anyway.
So I quit playing sports and started
smoking weed and drinking. Then I joined
a gang.
None of us had jobs, so I wondered how
my new friends owned lowriders, gold jewelry,
and name-brand clothes and shoes.
When my homeboy pulled a handful of
little, white rocks from his pocket and
asked, “You want in the game,” I no longer
wondered how they made their money.
I didn’t hesitate. Just like that, I became
a crack dealer. When I wasn’t dealing, I
was blowing money on my own drugs or
partying at motels with random girls. My
new life brought consequences, but they
didn’t do much to deter me.
At 16, I went to juvenile detention for
two years for auto theft. Before I went in, I
discovered I had a son, but I was too immature
to care about being a dad. I shrugged
off that responsibility.
In 1989, on my 18th birthday, I was released.
Nana passed away soon after that,
and I hit the streets, jumping headfirst into
the drug game. When a friend inherited
some money, we made investments that
took our drug dealing operation to another
level. The money rolled in for three years.
Soon, I had another son. This time, I
manned up and stepped into my role as
a father. I told myself I was doing right by
my family because I provided nice things
and paid the bills. That couldn’t be further
from the truth.
Ironically, caring for Nana had created
a soft spot in my heart for older adults. I
had an honest job as a certified nursing
assistant. I enjoyed the work, but I wasn’t
content, so I chose to continue selling
drugs on the side.
I made a grip of money dealing drugs.
Every Friday night, people from all over
PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS
10 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

the city would visit my neighborhood
looking for crack. They had cashed their
paychecks, and I was waiting to take their
money.
I knew there were heavy consequences
in the game I was playing, but I didn’t think
they would catch up to me—I told myself I
was lucky. But it was only a matter of time
before my luck ran out.
A friend needed some quick money, so I
fronted him dope to sell. His troubles soon
became mine, however, because I then
owed money to my connection—and my
source wasn’t about to take on my troubles.
My friend presented a plan to get my
money back. “We’ll just hit this lick,” he
said, “and we’ll be straight.” We? How
did this become a we operation? His plan
included armed robbery. How did I let it
get to this point? I knew better than to
trust this guy, but I couldn’t do anything
about it now; I had to get that money. Paying
my connection back was not optional.
I knew getting caught could send me
to prison for over a decade, but I figured
prison was a better alternative than owing
money on the streets. So we mapped out
our plan and put it into motion.
The robbery went sideways right from
the start. Shots rang out. Chaos ensued.
And by the end of that night, our robbery
victim lay critically injured in the hospital.
It didn’t matter that I hadn’t
pulled the trigger. I was there
and had helped plan it.
Someone came forward
as a witness, offering alleged
details in the case. The
cops showed up at my day
job. Coworkers and patients
watched in disbelief as I was
arrested and led to a police
car in handcuffs.
I was charged with, among other things,
attempted murder, armed robbery, and
aggravated assault. I was 21, barely old
enough to buy alcohol, when the court sentenced
me to 36 years in the Arizona State
Prison system. Talk about a reality check.
My first day on the yard, I watched a
man’s head get split open with a baseball
bat. A few days later, I saw someone else
get stabbed. I was relieved when a friend
got me a job with the paint crew.
I just wanted a routine to figure out the
ins and outs of prison and a way to stay out
of trouble while there. But before I had a
chance, I was rearrested and transported
back to the county jail to stand trial for
another crime.
The police were determined to take me
down. They had gathered evidence tying
me to another armed robbery where three
people had died. The same witness who
testified against me before now named
me as the trigger man in this new case.
As the star witness for the prosecution,
this man testified that I was responsible
for the murders of three people. As a result,
I was convicted of first-degree murder.
I stood silently, holding back tears
as the judge handed down my sentence:
“Christopher McCrimmon, the court hereby
sentences you to death.”
Officers escorted me to my new cell on
death row. Words can’t describe my loneliness
as memories of Nana flooded my
mind. I could hear her voice as if she were
Opposite: Chris with his
wife and newborn son.
Right: Many mugshots were
taken before Chris was
sentenced to death row,
but that’s where God finally
reached Chris’s heart.
Bottom left: Chris’s
grandmother, Helen D.
McCrimmon, planted many
seeds of faith in his heart
that eventually took root.
DEATH ROW WAS LIKE A DRY, PARCHED LAND,
AND MY SOUL THIRSTED FOR WATER.
beside me, “Trust God, Chris. God never
abandons His children.”
Really? Then where is He now, Nana? I sure
didn’t feel Him. Not at first.
Death row was like a dry, parched land,
and my soul thirsted for water (Psalm
63:1). I was on lockdown for 23 hours a
day, only allowed out a few times a week
for a shower and recreation.
I had plenty of time now to talk with and
listen to the Lord. I spent hours studying
His Word. The isolation drew me into a
relationship with God, and eventually I
recommitted my life to Jesus. He became
the friend I needed most.
It didn’t take long for the stories I had
enjoyed as a child to come alive and revive
my spirit, and I began to notice a common
thread in the lives of my Bible heroes.
They were all deeply flawed people with
epic moral failures—just like me—yet they
were never out of the reach of God’s love,
grace, and mercy.
Moses had killed an Egyptian and fled
to the wilderness, but God still called him
to lead the nation of Israel out of captivity.
(See Exodus 2:11–3:15.) King David committed
adultery and murder, but when he
repented, God forgave him...and scripture
calls him a man after God’s own heart. (See
2 Samuel 11:1–12:13; Acts 13:22.) Saul
murdered Christians until he met Jesus
on the Damascus Road and became the
apostle Paul, a great missionary for Christ.
(See Acts chapters 9 through 28.)
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
11

Both Chris and his mother, Regina, served time,
leading to separation and a strained relationship.
Today, God has graciously restored their relationship.
EVEN THOUGH I HAD
WANDERED FAR FROM GOD,
HE CHASED ME DOWN—ALL
THE WAY TO DEATH ROW.
The living water of God’s Word refreshed
and revived my spirit in that arid land of
death row. It also revealed my need for
repentance and God’s forgiveness. I felt
sorrow over my sin and repented to God
in prayer (Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 7:10).
“Lord, I know I’m a sinner,” I said.
“Please forgive me. I deserve punishment,
but I don’t believe You will let me die here,
this way. My life is in Your hands; I look
to You for justice and mercy.” (See Psalm
16:10; Isaiah 30:18.)
My attorney submitted an appeal for a
new trial. We waited almost three years for
my case to move through the courts. Then
one day, as I came in from rec, a friend
shouted, “Chris, you got a new trial, man!
I just saw you on TV.” I thought he was joking
until I saw my face flash across the
evening news with the headline, “Death
Row Inmate Granted New Trial.”
In 1997, my new trial was underway. My
attorney tried to prepare me for the worstcase
scenario, but I cut him off. “We’re not
going to lose. No way, man. God’s Word
says no weapon formed against me shall
prosper” (Isaiah 54:17).
He nodded in agreement and stood up
to defend my case with irrefutable new
evidence. Evidence from police interview
transcripts proved that I been convicted
based on perjured testimony and that the
detectives and prosecutor had allowed the
testimony, even though they knew the witness
was lying. It took the jury 45 minutes
to return with a new verdict.
When I heard, “Not guilty,” I was like
Lazarus when Jesus called him out of his
grave (John 11:43–44). I left my graveclothes
in that courtroom and returned
to prison to finish my original 36-year sentence.
I was one joyful, resurrected man.
It’s amazing how different the
prison felt when I was no longer
on death row. God had brought
this dead man back to life twice!
He had saved me from eternal
damnation and from being put
to death in prison. It was as if I
was seeing with new eyes.
But Satan was still on the
prowl, waiting to devour me (1
Peter 5:8). I tried hard not to fall prey to
the enemy, but trouble was on every corner.
While I did make some missteps, God
was patient as I learned to listen to the
Holy Spirit’s warnings and follow His lead.
(See John 14:26, 16:13; Romans 8:14, 26.)
The Spirit stayed busy, nudging me away
from various things and people. Listening
and obeying became the difference
between life and death.
I avoided the chaos of prison politics by
connecting with other Christian men and
staying immersed in God’s Word. I grew
bold in sharing my testimony and even
led men to the Lord. I relied on God and
the fellowship of my brothers in Christ to
prepare me for life on the outside. These
men and religious volunteers taught me
the value of real friendship.
Through them, I also learned about
Along Side Ministries’ discipleship program
in Phoenix. The program paired me
with a mentor who walked closely with
me for the last two years of my sentence.
After serving almost 26 years, I was released
on intense parole. I struggled to
adjust to life on the outside, as many do,
and soon violated my parole. I was sent
back to prison for nearly two years.
But instead of being angry, I embraced
the gift of time for God to heal more areas
of my heart and mind so I could live successfully
on the outside. I devoured God’s
Word until my release in March 2020. By
God’s grace, I was allowed to return to
Along Side Ministries. This community
of believers showed me the love of Jesus
when I needed it most.
Since my release, the Lord has kept His
promise to restore everything the enemy
stole from me (Joel 2:25). He has given
me a beautiful wife, a newborn son, and
healthy relationships with all my children.
God has redeemed my time so I can
leave a worthwhile inheritance through
the example of my life as I live for Him
(Proverbs 13:22).
Nana was right. Even though I wandered
far from God, He chased me down—all the
way to death row. He rescued me, and He’ll
do the same for you, wherever you are
(Psalm 107:20).
The truth is we’ve all been sentenced to
death by sin (Romans 6:23). But God, who
is forever rich in mercy, made a way for our
salvation through Jesus Christ (Ephesians
2:4–6). He’s made a way for you, too.
Jesus conquered death so you could
live eternally with Him (2 Timothy 1:10)
and experience an abundant life on earth
(John 10:10).
You don’t have to sit on death row any
longer. Come out of the grave and live. Take
off those graveclothes and embrace a new
life in Christ.
CHRIS MCCRIMMON is passionate about Jesus,
his family, and his church community fellowship. He
is grateful to spend the rest of His life serving God
and others. Through his testimony and knowledge
of God’s Word, Chris ministers to men returning to
society from prison.
PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS
12 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

TRANSFORMED LIVES
You Have a Family
BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON
PHOTO BY DREW NICOLELLO
Above: The Rock,
the Road, and
the Rabbi tour
group reminded
VLMag founder,
Kristi, about the
importance of
God’s family.
RECENTLY, I VISITED THE HOLY LAND, and
now that I’ve seen where Jesus lived, died, and returned
to life, I am confident that I will never be the
same. When I read the Bible or listen to a message, it’s
like I’ve been given the gift of seeing and hearing the
Word of God on a 90-inch high-definition television
with surround sound, where I’d only experienced it
in black and white before. The Word of God has come
to life within me in a fresh new way.
I experienced many places and revelations in Israel,
but witnessing the masses of people longing
for God impacted me the most. Each year, people
from every tribe and nation descend upon the Holy
Land to pray, worship, tour the land, and sit under
biblical teachings.
Seeing so many people hunger and thirst for the
Lord encouraged my heart. Today’s news portrays a
world that has turned its back on God. But in Israel,
I witnessed a remnant of people boldly desiring His
presence.
A highlight of my trip included a moment of spontaneous
worship with German believers. Our group
had just entered a cathedral near Jerusalem when
we heard some other spiritual pilgrims singing the
old hymn, “How Great Thou Art.” It echoed against
the stone walls in four-part harmony.
Our group joined in for the last verse of the hymn—in
English, of course. It was the most beautiful sound I’ve
ever heard. I imagine God was smiling as He received
the praises of His children. We couldn’t speak the same
language, but we were saying the same thing—“God, You
are awesome!”
When the song ended, you could have heard a pin
drop. The Lord’s presence was so thick in that room.
Suddenly, everyone erupted in applause and hallelujahs.
Our groups exited the church at the same time, and
we hugged each other. I said to one lady, “Hello, sister.”
She looked confused at first, but then she smiled and
replied in broken English, “Yes, we sisters!”
We had 84 people in our group, ranging from 22 to 86
years old. We were of different races, denominations,
and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our life experiences
varied widely. One lady shared how just two years earlier,
she’d been living in a tent under a bridge after addiction
had stripped her of everything dear.
Despite our various geographical and experiential
makeups, we quickly bonded. We were in one accord,
“agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one
another, and working together with one mind and purpose”
(Philippians 2:2 NLT).
That’s because we recognized each other’s value in
the eyes of God and treated each other with respect and
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
13

TRANSFORMED LIVES
love, as Jesus commands in John 13:34. God’s love in
us was a powerful bonding agent. It prevented us from
seeing physical, political, and socioeconomic differences
and opened our eyes to the beauty of each other’s spirit.
It also resulted in generous acts of kindness, grace,
and patience throughout the week. Due to age and physical
limitations, some people walked much slower than
others. But no one ever complained, and we didn’t leave
anyone behind. If one of the group members stumbled
or fell due to the rocky terrain, others helped them up.
Oh, if God’s children could always be so loving, kind,
generous, and patient with one another, our world would
be transformed.
One day, after a delicious and expensive meal by the
Sea of Galilee, a young man from our group blessed our
whole table by picking up the tab. I learned about Mark’s
generosity while in line at the cash register. I had my
shekels (Israeli money) in hand when he turned around
and said, “It’s all been taken care of.” I was stunned. I
hardly knew him—I just happened to sit at his table.
Mark’s action caused me to think about God’s generous
gift of salvation (John 3:16) when He “purchased our
freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:14 NLT).
I suddenly imagined myself at a heavenly cash register,
waiting to pay the price for my sin, a price I could
have never paid (Romans 6:23). Then Jesus turned
around, looked at me with eyes of love, and said, “It’s
all been taken care of. I paid the price for your sin and
the world’s sins.” (See 1 Timothy 2:6.)
I hadn’t done anything to deserve this kind act of mercy.
In fact, no one deserves it. But just think—Jesus paid
that heavy price for you and me before we even knew
Him and while we were still active sinners (Romans 5:8).
Sadly, that was the last interaction I had with Mark.
At about midnight, Mark’s wife called with devastating
news—his child had
died.
Our Bible teacher
shared the news with
our group after our
morning devotion, sitting
under a tin shelter
overlooking Bethlehem.
Sadness hung in the air, but then, one by one, we began
to pray. We boldly took our brother and his loved ones to
the throne of God and interceded on his behalf (Hebrews
4:16; 1 Timothy 2:1).
My heart hurt, and like everyone else, I had questions.
But I took comfort in knowing that while Mark was flying
home to reunite with his distraught family, more than
80 people were crying out to God on his behalf.
Anyone who professes
Jesus as their Lord and
Savior becomes a part
of His eternal family.
In His grace, I could see that God had given Mark a new
Above: Kristi (third
in line) and her son,
Dalton (fourth) pray
the Psalms of Ascent
as they make their way
up the temple steps,
the same steps Jesus
would have walked
entering the temple.
Right: A beautiful view
of Jerusalem behind
the Israeli flag.
family of burden carriers to intercede on his behalf.
Not only that, but my Lord had also positioned many
mighty men of God to be with Mark when he received
the news. They had stayed with him the entire night,
supporting him and making arrangements for his
flight home. Despite how it looked, God wasn’t absent,
and He had not abandoned Mark.
God never abandons His children. John 14:18
promises that He will never leave us as orphans. The
ARTWORK BY A VICTORIOUS LIVING FAMILY MEMBER
PHOTOS BY DREW NICOLELLO
14 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

TRANSFORMED LIVES
word “orphan” always brings to my mind a picture
of my adopted son, Dalton, and adopted daughter,
Ivy. I see them as they were in 2004 when I first met
them in Russia. In particular, I envision Ivy, who was
living in a run-down children’s hospital. She was in
extremely poor condition.
Ivy’s mother had abandoned Ivy and her siblings.
They had no provisions, protection, direction, purpose,
voice, or hope. Even after being in the hospital,
Ivy remained frail, pale, hungry, dirty, powerless,
and voiceless. She knew no language. She didn’t even
know her own name because she had lived her formative
years in isolation.
Through this image, I understand God’s promise
not to leave us as orphans better now. Because of
Him, we are never alone, rejected, dirty, weak, powerless,
voiceless, or without hope for our future. We
are accepted, protected, loved, pure, whole, heard,
seen, and powerful. We belong to God, and we carry
Above: Kristi enjoying
the beautiful history
of Caesarea Maritime
(aka Caesarea by the
Sea). This is the location
where the Gospel was
extended to the gentiles
as recorded in Acts 10.
Left: Kristi enjoyed
developing new
relationships with other
children of God including
Carol, Cornette (Mama),
and Freda.
We’re not perfect, but the grace
and love of God bind us together.
His name, the name above all names (Philippians 2:9).
Sometimes, circumstances can make it feel like God
has left us. But Numbers 23:19 reminds us: “God is not
a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does
not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to
act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”
(NLT). God will not leave His precious ones behind. Not
me, not Mark, not Ivy, and certainly not you.
It might look like evil has prevailed in your life. You
might feel completely alone. But you are not alone. God
is close, and He is ready and willing to help you. Look
at Psalm 121:2–8: “My help comes from the Lord… He
will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you
will not slumber. … The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
… The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over
your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come
and go, both now and forever” (NLT).
Does that mean you won’t experience pain? No. But it
does mean that you are not alone in your pain. Does it
mean that life won’t ever become dark? No. But darkness
cannot overtake the light within you (John 1:5; 16:33).
If there is one thing this trip taught me, it is the importance
and beauty of family—God’s family. Ecclesiastes
4:12 says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and
defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not
easily broken” (NLT).
Like the Holy Land’s rocky terrain, life’s paths are
often challenging and steep. Please, don’t try to take the
journey alone. A person standing alone is open to attacks
and defeat. But if you stand close to God and surround
yourself with other believers, you will be victorious.
Friend, you have a family. Anyone who professes Jesus
as their Lord and Savior becomes a part of His eternal
family (Ephesians 2:19). No matter who you are or what
you’ve done, you have a place in God’s family. And nothing
can separate you from His love (Romans 8:31–39).
You also have a place in the Victorious Living family. See
pages 2 and 34 for information on how to connect with
us. Like my Holy Land tour group, we are a diverse group
of people seeking to carry out God’s greatest commandment:
to love the Lord with all we are and to love others
as ourselves. We’re not perfect, but the grace and love of
God bind us together. We invite you to join us.
KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON encourages and equips people
for victory through her writings, speaking engagements, and prison
ministry. To learn more, go to kojministries.org.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
15

God’s
Plan Is
Still
Good
THE STORY OF PARKER BYRD
Jeremiah 29:11 has
always been my favorite
verse. It says, “I know
the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans
to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a
future” (NIV).
And up until July 23, 2022, my life reflected
every positive vibe of this verse. I
had loving parents who paved the way for
my success, awesome sisters and friends,
and I played the game I loved—baseball.
Even before I could walk, I had a bat and
ball in my hand. I’d sit there in my diaper,
swinging my plastic bat at a plastic baseball
propped on a stand. My dad fed the
baseball bug inside me, and every day, I’d
wait excitedly at the front door for him to
come home from work so we could play.
Out in the sandbox, we’d pretend I was
a certain professional player and I’d take
on the role of their respective position. My
favorite was Brian McCann, catcher for the
Braves. Other times I became Josh Hamilton,
outfielder for the Rangers, or Derek
Jeter, infielder for the Yankees. Before we
played, Dad and I would stand, place our
right hands across our chests, and sing the
national anthem.
This dedication led to my commitment
to play baseball for East Carolina University
in the ninth grade. I had opportunities
to play in larger programs, but being a Pirate
felt right. Plus, both my parents had
attended ECU. We had no idea then how
important the Pirate community would
be to our family when I headed to college
for summer school in June 2022.
Greenville was a fun town, and I bonded
quickly with my teammates. My dreams of
playing college ball had finally come true;
I thanked God for His awesome plan.
And then, on Saturday, July 23, I went
out on the Pamlico River with my new
friends. My girlfriend, teammates, and I
had a blast on the back creeks, skimming
across the water on inflatable rides behind
my friend’s family boat.
As one would imagine, things got a bit
wild; we were, after all, a boatload of teenagers.
My friend Dixon and I boarded the
tube and held tight until we could hold no
more and we were ejected from the tube.
We laughed and groaned as our bodies
skipped across the water.
When our friend returned to pick us up, I
decided I’d had enough. I grabbed the rope
and pulled myself in toward the boat. At
the same time, my friend put the boat in
reverse. Suddenly, the rope was caught in
the propeller, and I was pulled under the
boat into the prop’s spinning blades.
PHOTO BY PARKER OVERTON PHOTOGRAPHY
16 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BYRD FAMILY
A water-savvy teammate from Florida
saw what happened and jumped into the
water. He had just lost a friend in a boating
accident and wasn’t about to lose another.
He helped me get to the side of the boat and
the others pulled me inside. Blood mixed
with dirty river water spread throughout
the boat as everyone frantically tried to
figure out what to do.
Our boat was inoperable since the rope
was still caught in the prop, so my teammates
started waving and yelling for help.
My girlfriend called 911, and someone applied
a makeshift tourniquet to my thighs.
After a few minutes, a man drove over to
us. He refused to help us, though, saying
he didn’t want to expose his children to
the bloody scene. He threw us a first aid
kit and drove away.
Soon, another boat approached. There
was a nurse in that boat who immediately
began attending to my needs. She was like
an angel from heaven, bringing order and
peace to our chaos. I was transferred to
their boat and taken to the marina, where
an ambulance awaited. I fought to stay
awake, knowing if I dozed off, I might die.
From the local hospital, I was airlifted
to ECU Health in Greenville. I had an outof-body
experience during the transport.
I was floating above my body, watching the
medical team working on me, and wondering
how this day could have gone so wrong.
At ECU Health, I was rushed into surgery.
It was a three-hour drive from Laurinburg,
my hometown, to Greenville, but Dad had
the pedal to the medal, and they made it
in record time.
The days that followed are a blur for me,
as I went in and out of surgery, but for my
parents, they were a living nightmare. I can
only imagine the pain they endured and
the helplessness they felt as they stood by.
My parents faced heavy burdens as they
balanced work and family and soon decided
to relocate to Greenville permanently.
My sisters and parents made a huge sacrifice
to be by my side.
I underwent 22 surgeries, including on
August 4, a leg amputation below the knee.
There was no time to grieve the loss of my
leg or even process what it might mean for
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
my baseball career, as we were focused on
my survival.
People all over eastern North Carolina
were praying for my recovery, and many
sent letters of encouragement. The support
of the Greenville community blew my parents’
minds. This was not even our hometown,
yet people cared so deeply.
The community’s support and prayers
carried my family and me, especially when
the doctor told us that blood had ceased
flowing around my knee. I would need
another amputation, this time above the
knee.
The news didn’t shake me at first. My
leg was already gone; what was a few more
inches? But my dad knew that losing my
knee meant losing our dream of a baseball
career, and that news hit him like a ton of
bricks. I hadn’t thought of that possibility
until he shared it. I lost it, and we both
began to cry.
Mom, however, was not going to throw in
the towel. “Look at me,” she said fiercely.
We looked. “No one can tell you what you
can or cannot do. No one can limit you,
and no one knows your future. You decide.
And if you want to play baseball, then that’s
what we’ll go for. Don’t let anyone or anything
stop you!” Her words smacked me
and Dad back to the truth. Mom also knew
nothing was impossible with God (Matthew
19:26).
“GOD, I’VE ALWAYS
TRUSTED YOU HAVE A
PLAN. BUT THIS PLAN
DOESN’T FEEL SO GOOD.”
My family had raised me to believe in
God, and I had put my faith in Jesus Christ
for salvation long ago. But in this trial, we
all learned to trust God more deeply. We’d
never experienced such an obvious need
for His intervention. Our prayers grew in
intensity.
Our faith soared when, days later, a trickle
of blood was spotted flowing through the
vein in my knee during a washout of my
Issue 04 / 2023 17
Parker’s love for baseball came
early. Pictured above in one of his
many professional uniforms.
Parker competed on various
travel teams as he waited to
become an ECU Pirate.
Parker underwent 22 surgeries
after a boating accident took
his leg and nearly his life.
The Lord, hard work, and
modern technology has helped
Parker get back on the field.

IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR MY ACCIDENT,
I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD SUCH
A STORY OF INSPIRATION.
Parker and his parents, Jeff
and Mitzi, are grateful for new
opportunities to share God’s
goodness at special events.
While in physical rehab, Parker
encouraged his teammates
and rallied the ECU fans from
the sidelines.
The Challenged Athlete Foundation
arranged for Parker to throw out
the first pitch at the Houston
Astros game, April 19, 2023.
wound. We had our miracle! The doctors
could not explain the return of blood but
gladly postponed the surgery. Then, blood
began to flow through the once-dry veins.
My knee was saved.
This was great news, but it didn’t erase
the reality of my new situation or the pain
I would face in the coming months. It was
hard to reconcile Jeremiah 29:11’s promise
of God’s good plan with this painful mess.
I even told Him, “God, I’ve always trusted
You have a plan. But this plan doesn’t feel
so good.”
I didn’t know what to make of it all, but
I felt God reminding me that His plan
never intends harm. Somehow, He would
bring good out of this pain; I just had to
trust Him. He assured me, losing my leg
wouldn’t be the end of my dreams.
I had plenty of opportunities to get angry
with myself, God, and others. But I couldn’t
let anger and blame have any place in my
life if I wanted to move forward. I had to
trust God’s love for me and stay humble.
I had to start at ground zero, put one foot
in front of the other, and learn how to walk
again. And it wasn’t easy.
I talked to myself a lot. “Get up, Parker.
Keep going. You can do it—God’s with you!
You will play again.” It didn’t matter that
I didn’t know of any other leg amputees
playing ball in Division 1 baseball. But
doesn’t there always have to be a first? So
why not me?
I remembered the saying, “Hard work
beats talent when talent doesn’t work
hard.” In baseball, it didn’t matter that I
had natural talent. Even with both legs,
I’d had to work hard to succeed. So it was
time to get off my rear and do my part to
onto Lewis Field as a shortstop for the ECU
Pirates. I still have a ways to go physically,
but I’m sticking to my goal of being 1 percent
better each day. Sometimes it feels
like I’m going in reverse, but progress often
feels that way. I just have to keep my eyes
on the goal.
When I’m back on the field, I hope people
do more than admire my comeback. I
hope they are inspired to get into the game
of life. One lady told me recently that I’d
inspired her to take the stairs instead of
the elevator. That’s the kind of inspiration
I’m talking about.
It’s hard for me to believe my life today.
This Southern teen, who admittedly mumbles
his words, is now a public mouthpiece
for God. If it hadn’t been for my accident,
I would never have had such a story of inspiration.
God has taken my life and the
game of baseball and given them an eternal
purpose.
Maybe, like me, you are facing a painful
trial that came out of nowhere, and you’re
left confused and wondering, “God, what’s
up with this plan? It hurts.” Please know
there is still hope.
Trust God and obey Him. Lean into Him
and refuse to give up. In time, you’ll make
it. God will take the messes of your life and
work through them for your good and His
glory (Romans 8:28).
Don’t listen to the negativity around you,
especially that nasty voice in your head. No
one but God and you can determine your
future. You might not see the good of His
plan as quickly as I did, but it’s coming.
So don’t give up. God is on your side, and
that’s enough. Remember, with Him, all
things are possible.
experience God’s plan. Otherwise, it would
never come to fruition. Faith takes action. PARKER BYRD is an East Carolina University
student and baseball team member. You’ll find him
It’s been 15 months since my accident,
sharing his inspiring story at various venues when
and today, I’m medically cleared to play he’s not studying, working out, or swinging the bat
baseball. In February 2024, I hope to step with his teammates.
18 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BYRD FAMILY

STEPPING FORWARD
Be the One to Tell Them
BY CHRISTINA KIMBREL
PHOTO BY LAUREN JONES
ONE SCORCHING SUMMER DAY, I was sitting at a stoplight
when a man approached my car. He was holding a sign that read,
“Homeless, hungry. Please help.” I let him pass by, but I kept
watching him in my rearview mirror.
I noticed that every few steps, he would fall asleep where he
was standing. His eyes would close, and he’d sway back and forth.
Then, he would slump headfirst toward the ground until something
would startle him awake and he’d move on.
His feet were near the curb, and I worried he might slip and fall
into oncoming traffic. I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to help.
What should I do, Lord?
Experience told me this man wasn’t tired from the wear and tear
of homelessness in the hot Arizona sun. As I observed him from
my air-conditioned car, I remembered the decades I had spent as a
junkie strung out on heroin, when the streets had been my home.
I’d lived under bridges and in abandoned houses, and I’d hustled
for money in neighborhoods known for drugs and prostitution. I
was in the grips of my addiction, and it showed. But there at that
traffic light, God didn’t let me linger on the traumatic memories;
He used a different one to speak to my heart.
I remember standing at a crosswalk one day when a woman
called out from her car, “Good morning, beautiful. Are you hungry?”
She didn’t wait for me to answer. She looked me in the eyes
through her open window and said, “Jesus loves you, sweetheart.”
She flashed a huge smile, handed me a warm breakfast sandwich
and a couple of dollars, then drove away. I never saw her again.
Whoever she was, she had looked past my skimpy outfit and
the track marks on my arms to let me know, in a tangible way, that
God loves me. Remembering her stirred my heart and encouraged
me to do the same for this man.
I didn’t have any food, but I did have a few dollars and some
bottles of water in the car. That was enough—I’d been given the
opportunity to let this man know that God loves him, and I was
ready. I rolled down my window and called out to him.
At the sound of my voice, he stood up straight and rushed to
my car. He gave me the biggest smile as I handed him the money
and the water.
“How’d you know I was thirsty?” he asked.
I smiled and answered, “I didn’t, but God did, and He loves you.”
The light turned green, and the man stepped away. Tears
streamed down my face as I thanked the Lord for this encounter.
Through that gentleman, God had reminded me that He can use
anyone who’s willing to reach His lost and hurting children. He
does it through one compassionate act at a time.
I love how Jesus handled people begging along the roadside
(Mark 10:46–52). He didn’t waste time sizing them up or making
assumptions about how they got there. Instead, He engaged with
them in conversation and let them know that He saw them. He met
their needs and loved them. (Read the Gospel accounts to see Jesus’s
compassionate interactions with people of all backgrounds.)
There is no shortage of opportunities to implement what Jesus
taught us. Every day, in every city and on every street, we encounter
suffering people. But homelessness and drug addiction are
often symptoms of a greater, spiritual problem.
It doesn’t matter who a person is or what they’ve done. It’s none
of our business whether the sign they hold is true, how beaten
down they look, or whether they are on drugs. Our only business
is to show them the love of God without judgment.
After all, as Romans 10:14 asks, “How can they call on him to
save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe
in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they
hear about him unless someone tells them?” (NLT).
May we always be prepared to give a reason for the hope within
us (1 Peter 3:15).
CHRISTINA KIMBREL serves as VL’s production manager. Once incarcerated
and bound to her addiction, she now ministers hope to those held captive by
their circumstances while sharing the message of healing she’s found in Jesus.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
19

WRONG TO
STRONG
THE STORY OF JULIO (JC) ALMANZA
My childhood
was marked by
unspeakable
trauma. Long before
I even reached
double digits, my
heart was hard,
and my mind was
confused. As far as
I knew, it was up to
me to survive in this
harsh world.
I was four when my father abandoned
my mother, two sisters, and me. We moved
in with an uncle, a man who molested,
raped, and tortured me from then until I
was nine. His favorite “game” was to hold
me under ice-cold water in our bathtub
until I passed out. Then, he’d revive me—
and do it again. To this day, I’m petrified
of water.
For many years, every man I saw reminded
me of my father and that uncle,
and every woman reminded me of my
mother. I hated her for not protecting me.
She knew about the torture and sexual
abuse yet did nothing to stop it. The collective
actions and inactions of my family
did a number on me psychologically.
By the time I was 11, I was out on the
streets looking for blood. Being a gangbanger
on Chicago’s South Side gave me
an avenue to take down my enemies—and
I figured everyone was my enemy.
On the streets, I thought I’d found a
family who would have my back. But that
wasn’t the case. Gang leaders were just
happy to have another broken kid to do
their dirty work, and I was eager to do it. It
was easy enough to save some money and
buy a handgun from a guy on the street.
Like many involved with gang life, I
caught multiple arrests and rotated in
and out of juvenile delinquent facilities.
Those experiences were only slaps on the
wrist. Every time I was released, I went
right back to my “family” and street life.
Thinking back to those days, I’m sure
my willingness to do anything I was asked
was my way of trying to die. The pain in
my heart and mind was intense; even at
11, I didn’t want to live. I tried to take my
own life on many occasions.
That willingness to do, however, grew
me a reputation of loyalty, and at 16, I was
brought into a new family, a drug cartel.
PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS
20 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

My first position was as a mule, trafficking
drugs across the Mexican border. But I
was quickly promoted to manager, where I
made sure the cars carrying drugs reached
their destinations.
As a manager, I was making $60,000 a
week. I thought I was the man, hitting Chicago
nightclubs wrapped in my chinchilla
fur coat and draped in thick gold chains,
but I was nothing more than a dog in heat.
I had no respect for women.
I found no satisfaction in all that money
or those one-night stands. They brought
only an insatiable desire for more. And
in my greed, I got sloppy and caught the
attention of federal officials. I was 17 years
old when I was arrested in Mexico for international
drug trafficking and sentenced
to 15 years in a Mexican prison with no
chance of parole. I was in for the shock
of my life.
I’ll never forget entering those prison
gates holding my two bags of belongings.
As the officer shoved me from behind and
told me to find a place to live, all eyes were
on me—the fresh meat. Seconds later, the
scariest dudes I’d ever seen “welcomed”
me to the compound.
“What size shoe do you wear?” one of
them asked, referring to my shiny, red
Air Jordans. But before I could answer,
he stabbed me with an icepick and took
what he came for.
I quickly learned that the name of the
game was survival of the fittest. I wouldn’t
have made it out alive if I hadn’t been in
the prime of my youth and well-acquainted
with violence. It also helped that my boss
got word that I was locked up and hooked
me up on the inside.
This place was a city within a city with
its own rules. I saw more drugs there than
I’ve ever seen on the outside. Every night,
kilos of coke were spread out on tables; nobody
tried to hide what was going on, but I
tried to hide to avoid the nightly drug fest.
My efforts proved useless, however, because
the head man always sent someone
to find me, then forced me to participate.
I was like his little pet.
It took nearly four years for the US
Consulate to rescue me from that violent
prison. I was the last American transferred
to a US federal facility through an inmate
exchange program, and yes, that was a rescue.
I thank God for His grace—if I hadn’t
gotten out when I did, I’d be dead.
Back in America, I landed in a federal
prison, where I completed my 15-year
sentence by serving one year. Every year
I was in prison in Mexico counted as two
years in the United States, and the court
gave me an additional seven-year credit
for the pain and suffering I had endured.
I wasn’t free five minutes before I was
arrested again on a gang-shooting charge
from Chicago. The local judge released me
on my own recognizance, and I immediately
returned to Chicago and appeared
before the court. Impressed with my timely
appearance, the judge sentenced me to
seven years, then put me into a military-
style boot-camp program for young gang
members. A full prison, however, meant
an early release for me.
I was 24 years old when I became a free
man. I had spent the majority of my youth
Above: Not long after this picture
was taken, a family member
began severely abusing little JC.
This long-term abuse left internal
wounds that caused JC and
others much harm.
behind bars and wondered if I’d ever experience
anything other than darkness
and pain. I was desperate for a new life
but had no idea how to create one. I tried
getting a legitimate job, but no one would
hire me because of my criminal record.
Countless rejections left me feeling
hopeless, and I returned to the only life I
knew. The streets and my boss welcomed
me with open arms, and just like that, I was
back in the game, moving heavy weight.
I went from having nothing to owning a
restaurant and a house in the suburbs.
When I met a girl whose father could expand
my drug distribution operation, I
married her. Every action I took was a
calculated move.
My inner demons grew to new proportions
during this season of my life,
as did the madness. Things were going
south, and I lived in constant anxiety, always
looking over my shoulder. I’d been
stabbed, beaten, shot at, tied up, and
gagged more times than I could count.
And now, my boys were trying to kill me.
After escaping eight attempts on my life
Below: JC began his cycle of
incarceration as a teen, serving
time in US juvenile centers, a
Mexican prison, and US state and
federal prisons. Only when he met
Jesus Christ was the cycle broken.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
21

in one day, I decided it was time to move
west—to Phoenix—alone.
I thought that getting out of Chicago
would fix everything, but it didn’t. My
inner demons made the move with me,
and they tortured me day and night. I was
lonely and afraid, so I turned to drugs.
In Chicago, using drugs was strictly prohibited
by the cartel leaders. But I was no
longer under the eyes of the cartel, so I ran
wild, drinking and drugging and hitting
the strip clubs on every corner.
Immediate gratification was my only
goal. But with every attempt to escape, I
widened the door for more demons, and
the demon of addiction took me captive.
Meth, heroin, and crack dug their claws
deep into me, and before long, I was a
hopeless junkie who would do anything
for his next fix.
My criminal ways kept me rotating in
and out of Arizona prisons. The system
offered everything it had to fix me—prison,
Above: JC turned to physical fitness
and power lifting competitions to stay
straight. But he found physical strength
couldn’t heal the brokenness of his heart.
Right: Today, JC shares his story of restoration with
kids experiencing difficulties and traumas, and
incarcerated men and women looking for new lives.
grams, addiction meetings, and meds. The
drugs they gave me kept me down, sideways,
and flat. I could only stay straight
for a few months and felt more hopeless
with each failure.
The only time I found tranquility was
while working out. Physical fitness empowered
me, provided a mental and emotional
escape, and increased my desire to
be physically healthy. I worked out two
or three times a day in prison, and I still
do today.
I was released in 2013, and I really
wanted to stay straight, so I focused on
fitness, became a personal trainer, and
eventually opened a gym. People in the
fitness industry took notice of my strength
and story, and 5% Nutrition took me on
as a sponsored athlete. Currently, I hold
state records in Arizona and Illinois for
powerlifting.
My success, however, fed my ego, and
I began playing cat-and-mouse games
with my parole officer. I ended up serving
a one-year sentence for violating parole
in a violent federal prison. The lifers I
was locked up with there had nothing
to lose, and they lived like it.
One day, I watched a man get
stabbed 30 times over a piece of
shock treatments, drug rehabilitation prochicken.
Bloody handprints streaked the
walls from where he tried to escape his
attackers. Sitting there watching the scene
and eating a chicken leg myself, I thought,
“What in the world are you doing here, JC?
You’re 40 years old. Is this all your life will
ever be?”
I’d seen many prisoners turn to God for
a life change, but I’d always made fun of
them. Bible thumpers, I said, only wanted
God because they were in prison and
scared. Jail-house religion was a sign of
weakness. And I wasn’t weak.
So, instead of turning to God after my
release, I turned to the internet. I sat at a
computer and Googled, “How can I change
my life?” The top answer? Get a college
education. So I set out to do just that.
I visited the local community college
and met with an academic counselor who
encouraged me to attend a criminal justice
class led by a former cop of 30 years. No,
thank you! I was an ex-felon who hated
cops. Yet, the lady persisted, and something
in her voice led me to register for
the cop’s class.
I didn’t know it yet, but God was setting
me up for a fall—His love was about to take
me down.
On the first day, I got to class early, intending
to intimidate the teacher so he
wouldn’t call on me. He didn’t scare easily,
though. In fact, he found a way to engage
with me during every class. It didn’t take
me long to understand that John Humphreys
was a man of sincere faith who
genuinely cared about me. He was the first
white person I ever really trusted.
At about the same time, I met a beautiful
woman, Bethany, at the gym. She’d approach
me while I was on the treadmill and
tell me I needed Jesus. I’d think to myself,
“Woman, I don’t care how pretty you are…
You talk about Jesus too much!”
Yet, somehow, I found myself being
drawn to her and telling her about my
past. I shared things with her I’d never
told anyone else—I even told her about my
uncle. This was the first pure relationship
I’d ever had.
Life was going well—I made a good living
as a physical trainer and even had a suc-
RED PHOTO COURTESY OF JC ALMANZA / BLUE PHOTO BY DONNIE EAGLE PHOTOGRAPHY
22 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS
cessful YouTube channel I called Wrong to
Strong. But each night, I’d go home to my
empty house and ask myself, “Is this it? Is
there nothing else?”
One night, overwhelmed with despair,
I decided to end my misery. But before I
went through with my plan, I called Bethany.
She could tell something was wrong,
and she stayed on the phone with me all
night. I am alive today because of her unconditional
love.
The next day at the gym, she hugged me.
It was my first hug without sexual strings
attached, and it freaked me out. I felt vulnerable,
and that made me angry. Over the
next few weeks, however, we continued
conversing until one morning, I called and
said, “I think I love you.”
I’d never known what it felt like to love
someone or to be loved. Bethany told me
she loved me, too, and I asked her to be my
girlfriend. It wasn’t long before Bethany
met the jealous and controlling monster
who lived inside me. The phrase “hurt people,
hurt people” is true. This beautiful
woman paid quite a price.
One day, we watched a movie together
about a man who’d lost his daughter
to rape and murder. God told the man to
forgive the person who had violated his
daughter. Memories of the abuse I’d suffered
as a kid hit me like a ton of bricks.
Forgive? Why? How? There was no way,
but Bethany assured me that Jesus could
help me.
“JC,” she said, “Jesus wants to free you
from your pain, and the only way to be free
is to forgive those who have hurt you and
forgive yourself. You won’t find the peace
you want till you do.”
I thought about my mom and sisters.
I hadn’t talked to them for years; I hated
them and blamed them for my pain. The
Holy Spirit tugged at my heart, but I resisted.
I was also angry with Him. Where was
He when I was being drowned, raped, and
beaten as a child?
But God is patient, and He kept moving
in my life despite my failures. Over the
following months, the Spirit’s tug on me
grew stronger until one day, I fell to my
knees with an incredible urge to confess
But God is
patient, and
He kept moving
in my life
despite my
failures.
everything I’d ever done. I couldn’t stop the
words from flowing as I wept and sweat,
and I told God everything. I listed the people
I hated and confessed what I wanted to
do to them. When it was over, I felt clean,
like I’d had a heavenly shower.
I headed out to my garage to work out
when suddenly, it happened again. I fell to
my knees, only this time, I heard a voice
say, “JC, you’re not going to focus on your
past anymore. You’re going to tell people
about Me.”
Since the launch of my social media
platform in 2016, I had used it to talk only
about my violent past. But on November 6,
2021, I surrendered my life and platform
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
23

My whole life, I thought Christians
were weak and only used their faith
in Jesus as a crutch. I was wrong.
There’s nothing more courageous
than surrendering your life to Christ.
to Christ. Since then, my videos have presented
a new message—first of faith, then
family, and then fitness.
I didn’t know a lot about God, so I figured
I’d better learn. I reached out to John,
my teacher and mentor, and asked him
to school me to be a follower of Jesus.
John has faithfully poured into my life,
answering my questions and showing me
the blueprint for living according to God’s
Word. I had seen the Bible as nothing more
than a bunch of rules, but John explained
that God’s commandments are His way of
keeping us safe. (See Psalm 119.)
I’d been taught that real men didn’t
cry, but over the next few months, as God
took me back to my past and mended my
broken heart, I found myself an emotional
mess. I can tell you though, if I hadn’t
let out those feelings, I would never have
found healing.
I began telling people about God’s love
Left: John
Humphreys (left)
extended God’s love
and grace to JC.
Through John, JC
learned to trust God
and others.
every chance I got. The first time I shared
my story, the gang members I spoke to
gave their hearts to Jesus. They said, “Man,
JC, we can see it’s real. We want what you
got!” Today, I’m a gangster for Jesus.
But I’ve got to keep it real: All those
years of abuse and trauma and running
the streets have taken a toll on my mind.
Every day, I have to learn how to think new
thoughts and to speak and react in new
ways. (See Romans 6:12–13, 12:2; Ephesians
4:22–32.) I’m overwhelmed by God’s
goodness, especially by how He is restoring
the relationships I destroyed.
My whole life, I’ve been a thug on the
streets; now, I am a man of morals. Even
I can hardly believe it. God’s Spirit gives
me the self-control and strength I need to
not give in to my sinful, sexual, and prideful
urges. God, who is rich in mercy, has
helped me forgive those who’ve hurt me,
and He is helping me become the father
and husband my loved ones deserve. God
is stopping the cycle of abuse and trauma
in my family with me.
As I continue to yield to the leading of
His Spirit, I am no longer controlled by my
emotions. Today, I’m happy and smiling.
Instead of trying to kill the people around
me, I hug them. Instead of tearing them
down, I encourage them. The old JC is
dead, and a new JC has been born. All
because of Christ.
If God did this for me, a former career
criminal and convict, He can do it for anybody.
Even you. You might feel like there’s
no hope for change in your life, but I’m
here to tell you, there is hope in Jesus.
Jesus loves you.
Isaiah 61:1 says that He was sent “to
comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim
that captives will be released and
prisoners will be freed” (NLT). He can take
you from feeling lost to finding strength.
But you can’t be free to experience a new
life until your heart is healed, and only
God can heal a person’s heart. It’s through
the power of the Holy Spirit that you are
able to leave that sin alone and walk free.
(See Romans 6:4; Philippians 2:13.)
My whole life, I thought Christians were
weak and only used their faith in Jesus as a
crutch. I was wrong. There’s nothing more
courageous than surrendering your life to
Christ. In Him, I’m strong and have the
power to overcome anything. I’ve made a
lot of mistakes, but I’m determined now,
with Jesus as my guide, to learn from my
past and become a better, stronger person.
God can give you a brand-new start
too. With His help, you can experience a
changed life and circumstance. It’s not
always easy, but if you commit to the journey,
you’ll find the peace you’re looking for.
Romans 10:11 says, “Anyone who believes
in him will never be disgraced” (NLT).
Open your heart to Him today. Let Him
restore your life. What do you have to lose?
JULIO (JC) ALMANZA is on a journey of learning
and growing, experiencing mental, emotional, and
physical healing along the way. He shares Jesus
at every opportunity he has and is committed
to helping others find the peace and joy that
transformed his life.
24 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

TRANSFORMED LIVES
The
Prison of
Bitterness
BY SHERIDAN CORREA
WE CAN’T TRAVEL THROUGH LIFE
without experiencing hurt and disappointment.
The simple truth is that people let
us down—and we let them down too. Those
hurts and disappointments can lead to
bitterness that will consume us if we let it.
How do you know if you’re a prisoner
of bitterness? Consider these questions.
Do little things irritate you? Do you
blame others for your trials and troubles?
Do you feel emotionally flat, quickly become
fatigued, or lose interest in life? Are
you easily frustrated and get defensive?
Are you negative and critical of others?
Do you justify your bad attitude by placing
the blame on them? Do you withhold communication
and withdraw from others?
Do you envy someone else’s life? Do you
replay scenarios in your head and reopen
old wounds? Are you plotting revenge?
If you answered yes to anything above, a
poisonous root of bitterness may be growing
in your heart. I suggest you deal with
it now before it chokes the life out of you.
Bitterness is a trick Satan uses to imprison
us. He wants us to perish in the
poison of bitterness and take others down
with us. That’s why Hebrews 12:15 warns
us to “Watch out that no poisonous root of
bitterness grows up to trouble you” (NLT).
I experienced many disappointments
as a child, and bitterness took root in my
heart. Those letdowns hurt and made me
angry. Over time, unresolved anger fed
the bitter root. It grew and enslaved me.
In the prison of bitterness, I blamed others
for my circumstances. I lost everything
precious—my mind, children, health, and
freedom. When I finally realized the problem
was my bitter heart, I found freedom
with God’s help and the truth of His Word.
Here are some keys to coming out of a
prison of bitterness:
Forgive the offender and the offense. The
world wants us to be bitter, but Jesus calls
us to be better (Romans 12:2). That’s why
He instructs us to forgive one another as
many times as it takes (Matthew 18:22).
While He was hanging on the cross, Jesus
said, “Father, forgive them, for they
don’t know what they are doing” (Luke
23:34 NLT). Jesus understands our pain.
He was hurt, abused, unjustly judged, and
crucified. Yet He forgave those who hurt
Him and modeled the way to a life of freedom
with His dying breath.
Forgiving the offenders and letting go
of the offense is difficult. But it’s the only
way to keep bitterness from poisoning our
relationships with God and others.
We like to keep an account of the wrongs
that are done to us. Specifically naming the
offense releases it to God and clears the
cache. And that prevents bitterness from
building up and taking root.
Repent of sinful, unholy reactions. According
to Ephesians 4:31, bitterness is
an evil, sinful behavior in the eyes of God.
Therefore, we must repent and ask God’s
forgiveness for harboring offense in our
hearts. Sin keeps us from experiencing
God’s best, and sin spreads to corrupt the
hearts of others.
Look for a community of believers that
can hold you accountable. Hebrews 12:15
instructs us to “Look after each other so
that none of you fails to receive the grace
of God. Watch out that no poisonous root
of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting
many.” It’s hard to do that alone.
God’s plan for you does not involve your
being imprisoned by bitterness. You, as
His child, have a higher calling. Don’t let
Satan outwit you (2 Corinthians 2:10–11).
The enemy wants you to believe that you
are a victim and that you deserve to get
even with those who offend you. But bitterness
leads to darkness and death, and
God has called you out of the darkness
(1 Peter 2:9).
Bitterness comes when we fail to forgive
those who’ve hurt us. Therefore, forgiveness
is the cure for a poisoned and bitter
heart (Ephesians 4:32). A transformed
mind and life must include forgiving others,
past, present, and future.
Is there someone you need to forgive?
Tell the Lord and receive His forgiveness
for harboring bitterness in your heart.
Then, ask Him to help you release both the
offender and the offense. He will help you.
God never calls us to His higher purposes
without equipping us to step
forward in faith and live in His will
(Hebrews 13:20–21).
SHERIDAN CORREA is a biblical counselor
who is trained in trauma-informed care. She’s a
wife, mother of two teenage boys, singer, and avid
runner who has been radically changed by Jesus.
She joined the Victorious Living family in 2022 as
the digital content manager.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
25

The Best Part
of Your Day
BY STEFANIE CABANISS
As
a child, I wanted
to be anyone other
than myself and
live anywhere but
the house where I grew up. My mom had
mental health issues that created an uncertain,
toxic, and chaotic environment for
my sister and me. I resented our constant
struggles and envied the “perfect” lives of
everyone around us.
When I was 22 years old, I escaped
my chaotic home by moving two states
away. Unfortunately, that meant leaving
my friends and small support system behind
as well. Perhaps the isolation was
too much for me because that same year,
I traded chaos for a new form of misery—
marriage. He was 10 years older than me,
and our expectations were completely different.
The escape I thought I’d found took
me to a new emotional low. For the first
time in my life, I didn’t want to live.
I know now that my hopelessness wasn’t
because of my marital issues or the lack
of relational support; it was because I
wasn’t in the will of God. It would be decades,
though, before I even knew what
that meant.
When I was 27, my husband and I legally
separated and I filed for bankruptcy.
He refused to leave the house, however,
which only made a bad situation worse.
When a colleague told me about a lady
named Monica who would likely welcome
the company and additional income of a
roommate, I called the next day. Monica
had recently separated from her husband
too, and she offered to rent a room to me
in her tiny home.
Monica (aka Mo) and I had similar yet
different backgrounds. She was a child of
divorce and alcoholism, whereas I’d grown
up in an intact yet dysfunctional home.
Her brother had died at a young age, while
my sister and I had never shared a real
conversation.
We both felt very much alone in the
world. We had been let down more than
we thought we deserved. We’d made poor
decisions. And now, we wanted more out
of life.
God allowed our paths to cross at the
right time, and we each soon felt like we’d
found a long-lost sister. Mo was genuine,
kind, and honest with everyone she met.
A friendship like hers quickly becomes
precious when you’ve never experienced
a sense of belonging.
My whole life had been a soap opera, full
of drama—much of which was self-created.
PHOTO BY DEBORAH GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY
26 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEF CABANISS
But life with Mo had meaning and was conducive
to hope; she was genuine, kind, and
honest with everyone she met. I felt safe
and welcomed in her home. For the first
time in my life, I finally felt like I belonged
somewhere and had someone who truly
loved me, so believe me, I held on tight.
She was a woman of conviction and
character who fought for what was right
instead of settling for what was convenient.
Mo had my back and encouraged
me to be the best version of myself. She
was my much-needed motivator.
I had considered college at one time, but
my husband had laughed and told me I was
too dumb to do that. Any money spent on
such a “futile endeavor,” he said, would be
wasted. Mo, however, encouraged me to
apply. In fact, we both did, were accepted,
and we both succeeded.
We didn’t have much money while we
were in school, but we never lacked for
anything. God provided. We received federal
grants for school, and church friends
and neighbors dropped off meals and left
boxes of vegetables on our front doorstep.
I’d never been so poor yet felt so rich.
We were grateful to God for His provision
and gave back wherever we could. In
the end, Mo completed her nursing degree,
and I earned a bachelor’s and two master’s
degrees in psychology, exercise physiology,
and public health.
Mo loved the Lord and loved to tell people
about His goodness. We traveled to
churches where she would sing and share
her testimony. She had an incredible voice.
I remained in the background, taking care
of the details.
Early in 2009, 17 years after we’d become
roommates, Mo developed an intense
backache. She went to a chiropractor
for treatment, but there was no measurable
improvement after a week. So, he
ordered X-rays, and I accompanied Mo to
the chiropractor for her results. “She has
a pleural effusion, which is excess fluid
around the lung,” he announced.
The words on the magazine in my hand
blurred, and I felt flushed, short of breath,
and sick to my stomach. I just knew that
the world as I’d known it had ended. I
wanted to run from the room and pretend
I’d never heard the words pleural effusion,
but it was too late.
Mo handled it better than I did. As a
nurse, she assured me that there could
be several reasons for pleural effusions
and that it didn’t automatically mean cancer,
although it was one way melanoma
could present itself. Keeping my horrible
thoughts and out-of-control emotions to
myself was challenging.
Monica’s backaches worsened, and she
was referred to a specialist. As we left the
doctor’s office, I overheard the pulmonologist
say, “That’s going to be a sad case
When we let Him,
God will take all
the strangely
shaped and often
painful pieces of
our lives and bring
them together for
His great purpose.
Left: In 2021, Stef
launched the
podcast Grief
2 Great Day for
grieving women after
her own journey of
change, loss, and
grief: including
losing her best
friend, Mo (right),
to cancer. She also
wrote Dying to Be
Healed, to honor Mo’s
incredible example
of faith.
over the next several months.” Stabbing
me in the heart with a knife would have
been less painful. Please, God, anything
but this. Anything!
It wasn’t long before Mo was debilitated
and unable to drive. I became her caretaker
when she was diagnosed with stage
4 melanoma and given a prognosis of six
months to live.
Monica was convinced that God would
heal her and asked me to keep a journal of
our journey. She was sure God would use
her testimony of healing to change more
lives than she could count. I granted her
wish and kept a journal, but most of what I
wrote was a record of her increasing pain
and the time we spent trying to find relief.
She never asked me to read the journal
to her, but she did request that I include
a section called the BPOD—it stood for the
best part of the day. In my eyes, there were
no best parts of any day, but for Mo, something
good was always happening.
One evening after a horrendous day at
the hospital, Mo said, “We had a great day,
didn’t we?” She meant it, and that angered
me.
“Yup, we did,” I lied. Then I asked Mo
to recap it so I could see events through
her eyes.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
27

Stef and her husband, Jeff, love on their
pup, Buddy. Jeff encouraged Stef to
step away from her healthcare job to
produce her podcast full-time.
In my eyes, there
were no best parts
of any day, but for
Mo, something
good was always
happening.
Her answer came quickly and with little
deliberation. She said she was thankful
I had ridden in the ambulance with her
and that three of our closest friends (all
nurses) had spent their entire day with
us. She said she was treated like a queen.
Then she became emotional, sharing how
God was so good to her, always ensuring
she was well cared for.
I marveled then and I marvel now at
how we viewed the same experiences
so differently—but that day exemplified
Mo’s journey. She endured each test and
procedure like a trouper, despite being in
pain, exhausted, and unable to move or
find comfort. No matter what happened,
she chose to see the good and told people,
often in a whisper, that she was getting
stronger by the day.
It took me a long time to realize that Mo
was getting stronger each day—stronger in
her faith and confidence in what God was
doing. I saw Mo’s physical pain—her inability
to move, breathe, or eat without getting
sick. I didn’t see what was happening in
her heart and mind and soul.
I understand now how Mo had such an
optimistic view. She had fixed her eyes
“not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary, but
what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians
4:18 NIV). She zeroed in on God’s promises.
I focused on the unbearable physical
circumstances, and that led me to question
God and my faith.
Mo remained at home until the last 12
days of her life; at which point, we moved
her into a hospice house. As they rolled
her in on a gurney, she told the staff, “I’m
just here to complete my healing.”
Mo’s life blessed me in countless ways,
but her death changed me. I had been
caring for my friend for six months. I was
physically exhausted and had lost almost
forty pounds. But I had become spiritually
strong as I developed a deep relationship
with God—something I’d never
experienced before. That’s a good thing,
because when Mo was gone, I questioned
everything.
I grieved a full year before I stopped
accusing God of blowing up my life, yet
again. It took another year before I could
say, “Okay—You’re God, and I’m just going
to trust that Your plan is better than mine.”
That’s the moment I finally accepted
God’s sovereignty and surrendered the
rest of my life to His plan.
No, life has never been what I thought
it would be, and I’ve realized now that no
one in this life has it easy. But when we let
Him, God will take all the strangely shaped
and often painful pieces of our lives and
bring them together for His great and perfect
purpose.
I’m 56 now, and I’ve lived through
change, loss, and grief that I truly thought
(maybe hoped) would kill me. But I continue
to survive (and even thrive), and I’m
living out a calling I never asked for or expected.
My experiences have equipped
me to help others facing unwanted and
unexpected events and circumstances in
their lives.
In 2021, I launched a podcast to support
grieving women called Grief 2 Great Day.
I even wrote a book about Mo’s journey,
Dying to Be Healed, to honor her incredible
example of faith.
Regardless of the circumstances affecting
your life, I encourage you to find your
BPOD each and every day. Finding the
good and praising God for it will enable
you to survive and thrive despite the pain.
What’s your BPOD?
STEFANIE CABANISS was a public health
professional before beginning Grief 2 Great Day. She
is Southern by choice, a turtle-paced triathlete,
wife, and follower of Jesus. She helps Christian
women navigate loss through understanding their
grief, growing their faith, and processing daily
life to find hope. She and her husband, Jeff, live in
eastern North Carolina.
PHOTO BY DEBORAH GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY
28 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

STEPPING FORWARD
Look for the Blessings
BY ROY A. BORGES
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE doesn’t
happen naturally, especially in prison.
With its uncomfortable living conditions,
constant noise, and unpleasant people,
prison can be dark and lonely—hardly a
place where one might think to count their
blessings.
The heart of every prisoner is a battleground
for the war between good and
evil that surrounds them on a daily basis.
Satan thrives on the negativity that exists
behind the razor wire. He works hard to
keep a prisoner’s attention on life’s difficult
and unpleasant circumstances, so
they become critical and complain and
turn away from God. Satan knows that if
a person is looking only at what’s wrong in
their lives, they’re bound to get depressed
and succumb to hopelessness.
During the 31 years I was locked up, I
learned the importance of living with gratitude.
But it wasn’t until I surrendered my
life to Christ and started reading my Bible
that I realized how much I had to be grateful
for, even in prison.
Learning about the apostle Paul changed
how I looked at my circumstances. Paul
went through some tough times in his
life, including being beaten, stoned, shipwrecked,
and thrown into prison (2 Corinthians
11:23–28). But through it all, he
kept his eyes fixed on Jesus rather than his
problems (Hebrews 12:2). He kept fighting
the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and
relied on God for the grace he needed to endure
(2 Corinthians 12:9). He praised God
even when He was suffering, remembering
that his trials were temporary and would
bring God glory (2 Corinthians 4:17–18).
From his prison cell in Rome, Paul
IF WE’RE ONLY
LOOKING AT WHAT’S
WRONG IN OUR
LIVES, WE’RE BOUND
TO GET DEPRESSED
AND SUCCUMB TO
HOPELESSNESS.
taught that God wants His children to rejoice,
pray, and give thanks, regardless of
the circumstances they face (1 Thessalonians
5:16–18). Doing time in prison never
felt good, and I can’t say that I ever rejoiced
over the bad things that happened to me
while I was there. But my attitude began to
change, as did my life, when I took Paul’s
advice and started praising God for the
blessings I could see and asking Him to
reveal the ones I couldn’t.
God opened my eyes to the beauty all
around me and revealed the ways He was
using my time in prison for His purpose
and giving my life meaning. Through me,
God was doing things I didn’t think were
possible (Ephesians 3:20). I was most
thankful that Jesus died on the cross to
save my soul from eternal death. I can’t
thank God enough for His gift of salvation.
I certainly don’t deserve it and never could
have earned it.
Learning to live with gratitude on the
inside of prison prepared me for life in the
free world too. Out here, I’ve found that
being grateful and counting God’s blessings
is still the only way to survive. Life is
difficult on both sides of the prison wall!
I am grateful for every minute that I
spent behind bars. Without the experience,
I wouldn’t be the man I am today. Prison life
wasn’t easy, but when has easy ever gotten
anyone anywhere worth going?
If you’re struggling in a dark place and
overwhelmed by your circumstances, look
to God. Praise Him for what He’s about to
do. The joy of the Lord will drive out the
darkness and give you the strength to
overcome anything (Nehemiah 8:10).
ROY A. BORGES served 31 years in the Florida
Department of Corrections, where he realized
his need for a Savior. While incarcerated, Roy
ministered to others through his writing, over 300
of which have been published. Roy’s book,
101 Short Stories from the Prison Cell, is available
from amazon.com.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
29

Looking
for
THE STORY OF BILL FAY
Peace
I was raised with the classic
silver spoon in my mouth. I was
used to privilege, so as an adult,
my biggest concern became getting
to Dad’s money before he
blew it. I wasn’t fast enough.
Dad died in a veterans’ hospital
without a penny to his
name. I decided that would
never happen to me, and I set
out to secure the things the
world offered, heedless of the
cost to me or others.
At age 16, I got a girl pregnant,
and we married. After
high school, I headed off to
college, where I met a man
who taught me how to cheat at
cards. With his help, I became
a professional gambler. I put
myself through college by taking
money with my deck of 52.
Upon college graduation, I
divorced my wife, abandoned
my child, and focused on advancing
my career. I found another
woman to marry who’d
let me do whatever I wanted.
Because of my gambling
reputation, I was invited to
Las Vegas as a guest. I was immediately
impressed by the
endless supply of money and
women, the limousines, the
power, and the fountain in the
middle of my suite. If I could
connect to all this, my life would
be fine, I thought.
One evening, I went to
the baccarat table where
heavy-duty players gambled
with money instead of chips.
Millions of dollars were on that
table, and I watched a man lose
200,000 of them in 20 minutes.
“You don’t know what you’re
doing, do you?” I asked him after
a few drinks. He called me a
wise guy and invited me across
the street to Caesars Palace.
The minute we walked
through the doors, people
took notice. Blackjack dealers
glanced up, and crowds parted
as we went to the baccarat
table. Once seated, the man
whispered in the croupier’s
ear. Immediately, the table was
cleared and the gambling limit
removed. The man ordered
$50,000 as comfortably as you
might order a glass of milk.
Then he handed me the money,
and told me to play!
I hit a hot streak and, within
15 minutes, won over a quarter
of a million dollars. My new
friend became my godfather. He
quickly connected me with the
underworld, and I began wholesaling
Mafia money nationwide.
Despite my new, illegal connections,
I continued as the
manager of a major corporation
in Houston. My coworkers
knew nothing of my double life,
but that would soon change.
Increasingly out of control, I
chased every whim of my heart.
One day while speaking with
a woman from Kansas City on
the phone, I asked her what she
wanted out of life. When she replied
“power and money,” I was
on the next plane to meet her.
At dinner, I suggested we get
married. It didn’t matter that
I had a wife of 12 years back
home. Life was about me and
what I wanted.
I flew home and informed
my wife I was leaving. Then
I got into my Cadillac, drove
back to Kansas City, picked
up this woman, and moved to
Denver. There I became the
CEO of a multimillion-dollar
international corporation.
I had a limousine, an unlimited
expense account, diamond
rings, Rolexes, gold jewelry,
and anything else I wanted.
And I had power, both corporately
and in the underworld.
Yet I found myself wondering,
What’s next? Is this it?
PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS
30 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL FAY
I had no answer, so I set a new
goal. I wanted to be a nationallyranked
racquetball player.
Moving up in this sport was
fun and exciting, but like with
everything else, the thrill of
winning eventually faded, and
emptiness returned.
No one knew how lonely and
miserable I was. My third wife
tired of my shenanigans and
left for another man. It’s only by
God’s grace that I didn’t put out
a contract to have her killed.
I soon met Peggy, and we
married. At the same time, I
launched a new enterprise to
cater to “powerful” men like me
who wanted “more in life”—a
brothel called Fantasy Island. It
became one of the largest prostitution
houses in the country.
One day, I took Peggy to Las
Vegas so she could see how
people catered to my every
whim. I waltzed in and took
her to the same baccarat table
where the insanity had begun
years earlier. Ironically, that’s
where I was when my attorney
called to tell me the Feds had
raided Fantasy Island. There
was a warrant out for my arrest.
I flew back to Denver and
was arrested. Incredibly, I received
only probation. To me,
that just meant, “Don’t get
caught again.”
With my double life now exposed
on national news, I was
fired from my day job. But that
didn’t matter. I went into the
executive search business and
quickly made top dollar again. I
had escaped prison and continued
to “win” at life—but inside,
I knew I wasn’t right.
There was only one place
where I really felt good, and
that was at Lost Valley Ranch,
a beautiful community in the
Colorado mountains.
Every time I went there, I felt
great. But every time I drove
home, the reality of my pitiful
life hit me hard. I didn’t know
why the place was so special
or what it was about the people
there that made them so
different.
I remember being at the
ranch on a random Easter
Sunday and deciding to do what
people do on Easter. I went to
church. I rode my horse out
on the meadow where a young
man named Bob Foster was
preaching a sermon.
“There’s a difference between
happiness and inner
peace,” he said. “Happiness
is like the smell of a new car, a
new dating relationship, closing
a big business deal, illicit
drugs, or sex. You get high
and feel good, but the feeling
doesn’t last. Peace is different.”
I knew the kid was right. I had
achieved, received, performed,
and climbed my whole life, but
for what? I’d feel settled and
happy for a while, but the void
always returned—every time.
How could I have this lasting
peace Bob preached about?
He answered my question
by explaining that peace only
comes through a personal relationship
with Christ. Whatever
that meant, it was not the
answer I wanted. I cursed, got
on my horse, rode out of the
meadow, and drove back to
Denver and my crazy life.
In God’s goodness, He didn’t
let me get away. He chased me
down. Suddenly, my life was
full of people telling me about
the person of Jesus Christ and
the peace He offers. I responded
with mockery and insults.
I’m sure many walked away
believing they’d failed, but they
didn’t. To this day, I can tell you
their names, what they looked
like, what they wore, and most
importantly, what they said.
God used every person to plant
a seed in my prideful heart.
Take Paul and Kathie Grant,
for example. Paul, a Jewish
believer in Christ, patiently
shared his faith in Jesus with
me on the racquetball court.
Laughing behind his back, I
pretended to be interested.
For months, Dr. Grant answered
my questions. He didn’t
realize I was deliberately engaging
him to make him late
for work. What a stupid fool! I
thought. How can this idiot sit
here and let me do this when he
has a waiting room full of patients?
Yet Paul was my first true
friend. When the arrest came
down on my house of prostitution,
he was the only one
who called to make sure I was
okay. Other “friends” called to
ensure their names remained
anonymous or to inquire where
they could find the girls who’d
worked at Fantasy Island—but
Paul called for me.
Eventually, Paul invited
Peggy and me to go to church.
We went, and Paul and Kathie
took us to their home after the
service. I didn’t want to stay
long—I had $100,000 riding
on the day’s sporting events.
But they were our friends, so…
We talked awhile and shared
pieces of our life stories. Their
stories always ended up back
at something about God. As
we left, I told Peggy, “Let’s go
home and have a drink. That
stuff’s fine for them, but I’m
not interested.” I rejected God’s
message once again.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s Lakewood
Police Department was
dissatisfied with my probation
I had escaped
prison and
continued to
win at life, but
something
inside me didn’t
feel right.
Below: In his quest to win at life, Bill
gambled in the casinos of Las Vegas
and interacted with celebrities like
actress, Ann-Margret.
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
31

The Prince of Peace has filled my
heart and made me whole.
deal. Determined to bring me
to justice, they sent an attractive
undercover policewoman
my way. She offered to sell me
Right: Bill’s book, Sharing Jesus
Without Fear, is a must-read
for anyone struggling to find the
confidence to share their faith.
a stolen television and implied
that she “came with it.” I gave
sage from her waiting for me on
her $200 and was arrested.
my home answering machine.
Fear hit me as I sat in jail
She said the strangest thing: “I
over the weekend. Violating
saw your name in the papers
my probation could mean eight
from all your arrests; I’d like to
years of prison. I began to cry,
meet you.”
not because I was repentant,
When we met, I immediate-
but because I was panicked.
ly asked her forgiveness. She
Back at home and awaiting
responded kindly. Incredibly,
my trial, I imagined ways to
the Lord gave me the privilege
escape my impending doom.
of leading her to Him.
Drugs and alcohol could give
With my charges, I fully ex-
temporary relief, but I knew
they’d only bring more problems.
My money would sustain
life on the run, but where would
I go? I also considered suicide.
God used my unbelieving
wife to save my life. She suggested
I call the man who had
pected to go to prison. But the
judge miraculously dismissed
my case and even barred it
from further prosecution at
the district level. I walked out of
court free to the world, but
more importantly, Christ had
freed me from my sins.
whose sting had led to my arrest.
She is a dedicated Christian
and now a close friend.
My life continued to change
with God in it, and I soon became
the chief chaplain for the
Colorado State Patrol and the
DEA. I held more credentials
Don’t settle for the temporary
highs of this world. God’s
peace is available through a
relationship with His Son, Jesus.
My prayer for you is that
“you experience the love of
Christ, though it is too great to
understand fully. Then you will
PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS
married us—a Christian pastor.
I began praying for an op-
than most officers. God also be-
be made complete with all the
Her suggestion angered me. I
portunity to return to the Lake-
gan sending me into prisons to
fullness of life and power that
didn’t want that stuff in my life!
wood Police Department and
minister to juveniles, men, and
comes from God” (Ephesians
But the Holy Spirit was more
share how Christ had changed
women. With God, all things are
3:19 NLT).
powerful than my arrogance,
my life. God provided my
possible.
If you’re ready to do that,
and I called that pastor and told
heart’s desire.
I’ve not been the same since I
pray with me: “Heavenly Fa-
him I wanted inner peace.
The assistant chief of police
surrendered my life and will to
ther, I am a sinner in need of a
The next day, I drove 85 miles
was having lunch with col-
Jesus. The Prince of Peace has
Savior. Forgive me for my sin.
to his little country church, and
leagues when my name came
filled my heart and made me
I believe You sent Your Son,
at 10:00 a.m. on March 4, 1981,
up. Wary of the news that I had
whole. He has freed me from
Jesus, to die on a cross for me
I came to know Jesus Christ as
changed, he declared, “Even
my empty way of life, and my
and that He rose again. I give
my Lord and Savior. Immedi-
God couldn’t forgive that man.”
chief desire now is to share
You my life. I desire Your will
ately, God took hold of my life
Someone challenged him to
God’s good news of salvation
above my own. Father, give me
and flipped it upside down.
find out, so he arranged a meet-
with the world. I want people
peace and make me whole. Give
The first evidence of His
ing. “I’ve come to see if what
everywhere, including you, to
me your Holy Spirit to help me
presence happened on my
you’ve found is truth,” he said
experience the transformative
live as You desire. I ask this in
drive down the mountain from
as we sat down. I gave him my
power of His love.
Jesus’s name. Amen.”
my meeting with that pastor.
testimony, then we held hands
I began to think of my daughter,
Tammy, whom I had abandoned
23 years earlier. It was
my first unselfish thought ever.
Incredibly, there was a mes-
and prayed together.
Three months later, this
man who had orchestrated
my arrest introduced me to
the under cover policewoman
BILL FAY is a graduate of Denver Seminary and a former chief chaplain for the
Colorado State Patrol and DEA. He has spoken cross-denominationally for 40
years. His best-selling book, Share Jesus without Fear, has been translated into
54 languages. It provides practical tools to present the compelling message of
God’s saving grace. Visit sharejesuswithoutfear.com to watch videos on how to
uniquely share your faith.
32 Issue 04 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

WANT TO KNOW JESUS?
“Come to me, all you who are
weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28 NIV
ART BY VL INCARCERATED FAMILY MEMBER
Do you need rest? Peace? Freedom? Forgiveness? Restoration?
Call out to Jesus, accept Him as your Savior, and be made whole.
Pray: “Jesus, I invite You into my life. I confess that I am a sinner in
need of a Savior. Thank You for saving me from my sins and making
me whole. Thank You for laying down Your life for me so that I can
have a new life in You. I receive, by faith, this forgiveness of sin. Take
my life—my past and my future. Guide my steps and speak to my
heart, Lord. Use me, God. Amen.”
Let us know of your decision so we can help you grow in your faith.
Write to: VL Correspondence, PO Box 2751, Greenville, NC 27836.
PERHAPS AFTER READING the stories in this magazine, you’ve surrendered your life to
Jesus. Congratulations—it’s the most important decision you will ever make! But you might
be wondering, now what? Here are five ways to ensure spiritual growth. Remember, the
Christian life is a journey that brings lifelong transformation.
1. PRAY. Talk to God about everything and listen for His response. You don’t need
fancy words, just a sincere heart.
2. STUDY THE BIBLE. God’s Word contains all the instructions we need for life. Get
into a Bible study and discover new revelations daily. Free resources are on page 34.
3. GET BAPTIZED. Although baptism is not a requirement of salvation, the Bible
clearly tells us that we are to be water baptized after salvation. Baptism symbolizes
our dying to sin and being raised to a new life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:4). Prison
restrictions may make immersion by water difficult, so get creative and let the Holy
Spirit reveal how you can take this step of obedience until immersion is possible.
4. FIND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. Join a local congregation of Christ-followers. If
incarceration makes attending church difficult, fellowship with other believers the
best you can. They will help you stand strong and keep you accountable.
5. TELL SOMEONE. Share your decision to follow Christ and tell them what He has
done for you. And then, tell us! We’d love to hear from you.
WHAT NOW?
I’ve Accepted God’s Salvation.
Now What?
VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Issue 04 / 2023
33

MINISTRY INFO/RESOURCES
Victorious Living Prison
Outreach Information
• High transitional rates and DOC restrictions prevent us from
mailing personal subscriptions of VLMag to incarcerated
individuals. However, bulk copies are provided free to prisons,
jails, recovery, and reentry programs, with or without staples, at
the request of chaplains and program directors. They may also
inquire about our national VL Prison Tour.
• We offer discipleship materials on various prison tablet systems.
Search “Victorious Living” on the prison tablet to discover MORE
Victorious Living and STEPPING FORWARD with Victorious Living
broadcasts and VL podcasts. If we are not yet on your tablet
system, please write to us and let us know the name of your
tablet system.
• Family members of our incarcerated family and our ministry
partners can enjoy our free resources through pandoapp.tv
and VL’s online platforms like vlmag.org, Facebook, Instagram,
and YouTube. Our care team is available to pray with family
members of our incarcerated family by phone.
• We offer fellowship to individuals through correspondence.
Those incarcerated can write to us at PO Box 2751, Greenville,
NC 27836, or email us through their tablet at hope@vlmag.
org. High transitional rates in jail often prevent us from
corresponding with persons there. Please know, we read all
letters and pray over them.
• We cannot receive COD emails or phone calls, nor do we accept
unsolicited stories for publication or legal documents.
• We encourage believers everywhere to use our materials in their
ministry. VLMag makes an exceptional witnessing tool and can
be ordered in bulk copies for use in free society.
• Did you know that VLMag is available on both sides of prison
walls? It is a gift to our ministry partners and can be delivered to
anyone in free society. Call 352-478-2098 or visit vlmag.org and
click the “give now” tab. A gift of any amount is appreciated.
RESOURCES
Below are opportunities for free Christian-based
resources for both English- and Spanish-speaking
persons and chaplains. When you contact the
addresses below, tell our partners VL referred you.
VICTORIOUS LIVING
Personal correspondence available in English and Spanish.
Bulk copies of VLMag are available for jail and prison libraries
at chaplain’s request.
PO Box 2751
Email: hope@vlmag.org
Greenville, NC 27836
2ND OPPORTUNITY
Reentry and
employmentreadiness
programming; job/
housing referrals
upon request.
PO Box 3411
Peachtree City, GA
30269
PRISON
ALLIANCE
Discipleship studies
by mail; free Christian
books and Bibles for
libraries at request of
authorized personnel.
PO Box 97095
Raleigh, NC 27624
RESCUED NOT
ARRESTED
Free NIV Bibles, Bible
study correspondence
course, and NIV Life
Application Study Bible
upon completion
of study.
PO Box 90606
Phoenix, AZ 85066
CROSSROADS PRISON
MINISTRIES
Correspondence
Bible studies and
mentoring letters with
completed lessons. Free
Bibles for CRM students
upon request.
PO Box 900
Grand Rapids, MI 49509
HOPE IS ALIVE
Nationally-based sober
living homes, faith-based
support groups, and grief
support groups for those
impacted by addiction.
14400 Bogert Parkway
Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK
73134
34
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