Where There's Breath, There's Hope

REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE

DAR VUELTA

PARA VER

EN ESPAÑOL

MATURING IN ISOLATION

THE WAIT IS WORTH IT

WHERE

THERE’S

BREATH,

A magazine

on a mission:

see page 2

THERE’S

HOPE

The Story of

Tonier Cain

Issue 01 / 2025

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.

Soon after, this former world champion water skier

traded in her water ski career to serve the corrections

community. Over the years, God has blessed

Kristi with an incredible team and opened many

doors of opportunities.

What started in 2013 with the first delivery of

Victorious Living Magazine into Florida prisons has

now expanded to a comprehensive, international,

bilingual outreach to both the incarcerated and

those working in corrections.

Through our now many ministry outreaches, millions

of people are discovering the transforming and

empowering hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

VICTORIOUS LIVING

Delivers Hope to

the Corrections Community

Victorious Living Magazine provides testimonies of

the transforming power of Jesus Christ, available

digitally and in print.

Care Team provides prayer support to currently and

formerly incarcerated people and their families, as

well as correctional staff.

Correspondence Team provides relational support

and Christian discipleship through correspondence,

as well as connection to biblical study resources and

reentry support.

National Facility Tours and Wellness Programs

provide encouragement and life-skill tools to

correctional leaders and incarcerated persons

through on-site events.

Bilingual broadcasts on correction-issued tablets

provide mental health support and addiction

recovery tools, trauma-informed care, and

Christian discipleship.

INCARCERATED

AND NEED

ENCOURAGEMENT?

Write to us and join our

Victorious Living Family

today.

VL Correspondence

PO Box 2751

Greenville, NC 27836

TABLET PHOTO: S.H.A.R.P. / TOP PHOTOS: GERI SIMPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

PCDC PHOTO: GERI SIMPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

ISSUE 1, APRIL 2025

“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise

you more and more.” Psalm 71:14 NIV

Publisher & Executive Director

Kristi Overton Johnson

Production Manager

Christina Kimbrel

Christina Kimbrel

Robert Whitner

Editor

Rachel Overton

Spanish Translator

Ebert Morillo

Editorial Team

Karissa Anderson


Christina Kimbrel

Rachel Overton

Carla Owens

Creative Designer

Lauren Jones

Creative Content Team

Deborah Griffin


Christina Kimbrel

Administrative Director

Carla Owens

Digital Content Management

Sheridan Correa

BJ Emerson

Prison Correspondence

Lauren Everett

Pastoral Care/Correctional Liaison

Pat Avery

Partner Relations

Ashley Smith

Hispanic Outreach Team

Denise San Miguel

Miguel Nunez

Mayra Ramos Olivo

Story Contributors

Lisa Appelo

Randy Claypoole

Sheridan Correa

Michael Dixon

Kory Gordon


Featured Persons

Tonier Cain

Brenda Cooney

Darren Cooney

Tony Moore

LaDena Tilley

Cover Photography

E.Y.E. Imagery Studios

Photography

Arizona Portraits LLC

EDOVO

E.Y.E. Imagery Studios

Kaden Gilbarte

Kory Gordon


Parker Overton Photography

S.H.A.R.P.

Geri Simpkins Photography

Artwork

Alberto Henriquez

John Herget

Victorious Living Magazine is a publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries, a 501(c) (3)

organization. Copyright © 2025, Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries, all rights

reserved. For permission to reprint or copy any material contained herein, please

contact us at admin@vlmin.org.

DISCLAIMER: The articles featured in Victorious Living Magazine 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 Ministries

PO Box 2801, Greenville, NC 27836

• 352-478-2098

All Prison Correspondence

• admin@vlmin.org

• Victorious Living Correspondence Outreach

PO Box 2751, Greenville, NC 27836

Scripture Permissions

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

Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. | All Scripture is

used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

La escritura marcada NVI es tomada de La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión Internacional®

NVI®, copyright © 1999, 2015 por Biblica, Inc.® | La escritura marcada NTV es tomada

de La Santa Biblia, Nueva Traducción Viviente, © Tyndale House Foundation, 2010.

| Toda la escritura usado con permiso. Reservados todos los derechos en todo el

mundo.

VICTORIOUSLIVINGMINISTRIES.ORG

Issue 01 / 2025

3

Victorious Living

and You!

Victorious Living resources are

designed to encourage, equip, and

empower you in your faith and

provide you with tools to do the

same for others. Whether you are

incarcerated, working in corrections,

or living in free

society, you can use

our ministry tools in

your daily ministry

efforts. Here are a

few suggestions.

DISTRIBUTE

VLMAG

Order VLMag in bulk and

share it as God leads.

Our magazine provides

an effective and easy

way for you to share the

life-transforming power

of God with strangers

and loved ones. Also,

consider sponsoring

a prison to receive

quarterly shipments of

our magazine.

CREATE A VICTORIOUS LIVING

SMALL GROUP

VL Small Groups are simple—you need a Bible, paper, pen,

VL Magazine or video, facilitator, friends, and a heart to

learn. As you look up scriptures and dive into the following

questions together, you will discover deep spiritual truths.

• What is the theme of the story or video?

• Have I had a similar experience?

• What lessons did the story/video present, and

how can I apply them?

• How is God speaking to me through the story/

video and the referenced verses?

• What have I learned about God’s character,

and how does that impact me?

BECOME A VL SMALL

GROUP LEADER

Small groups led by trusted

facilitators build community

and provide accountability and

a safe place for deeper study of

God’s Word. Write to us at PO

Box 2751, Greenville, NC 27836,

and request the VL Small Group

Leader’s Guide. Also check out

our videos, Tips for a Successful

Small Group and Leading a

Small Group Behind the Wire,

on PANDO, EDOVO, and Paytel.

BOTTOM PHOTO: GERI SIMPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY / TOP PHOTO: EDOVO

• How can I share what I’ve learned with others?

SUPPORT VICTORIOUS LIVING MINISTRIES

Financially supporting our ministry is one way to carry out God’s command to remember the prisoner

(Hebrews 13:3). Share our ministry with your church for consideration as a supported mission

outreach. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

VISIT VICTORIOUSLIVINGMINISTRIES.ORG OR CALL 352-478-2098

ISSUE 1, APRIL 2025

CONTENTS

8

9

13

29

14

25

STEPPING FORWARD

Do You Stink?

BY MICHAEL DIXON

God Hears Wordless Prayers

BY LISA APPELO

Let God Heal and Refresh You

BY CHRISTINA KIMBREL

Get Back in the Race

BY RANDY CLAYPOOLE

TRANSFORMED

LIVES

The Wait Is Worth It

BY SHERIDAN CORREA

Today’s world is all about getting what we

want, when we want it. Times of waiting are

often frustrating, but God works in those

moments when it seems life is on pause. God’s

plan comes to fruition in His timing, not ours.

A Life Restored

BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON

The devastation that Hurricanes Helene and

Milton left behind is beyond overwhelming.

10

16

19

The task to rebuild is so huge, it’s hard to

know where to start. Rebuilding a life devastated

by sin can be just as daunting, but

remember—God is beside you in the mess,

and He’s got a plan.

FEATURES

Pathway to a Redeemed Life

THE STORY OF DARREN COONEY

Darren thought the world revolved around him,

and he lived his life to prove that. Eventually,

things got so thoroughly out of control that

he prayed for God to let him die. But God

had other plans for Darren, and He raised this

already dead man to new life in Christ.

Living Water for a Thirsty Soul

THE STORY OF BRENDA COONEY

Brenda had spent her life searching for love

in all the wrong places, and her thirst for

attention led her into one broken relationship

after another. Her life finally changed when

she came into a relationship with the One

who could quench her thirst once and for all.

God Is in Your Corner

THE STORY OF TONY MOORE

At 12 years old, Tony was in foster care

20

26

30

without a hope for a future. His anger

issues had alienated him from family and

friends and led him to this difficult place.

Still, a simple prayerful request for help

was all it took for God to start turning

things around.

COVER STORY

Where There’s Breath,

There’s Hope

THE STORY OF TONIER CAIN

Life’s hardships led Tonier into addiction,

prostitution, and imprisonment. She

knew she had to find a way out, but

every time she tried, the trauma of her

past overwhelmed her. So many times,

she just wanted to die, but her body kept

breathing. The turning point came when

she surrendered to Jesus Christ. There she

found hope and a new life.

When Joy Brings Strength

THE STORY OF LADENA TILLEY

A life of trouble is no one’s desire, but

when trials come, where do you turn? In

the pain, the loss, the confusion, turn your

gaze to Jesus. He will fill you with love and

strength and, yes, inexplicable joy.

Revival of Hope

COVER PHOTO BY E.Y.E. IMAGERY STUDIOS

ON THE COVER

It’s been decades

since our cover story,

Tonier Cain (right),

received the gift

of motherhood.

Before that, years of

abuse and addiction

caused her to lose

several children

to social services.

But as He always

does, God proved

it’s never too late

for redemption

and restoration—

for where there’s

breath, there’s hope!

Pictured with her

daughter, Orlandra.

6

32

33


Ever wonder which way to go? Recently,

our publisher discovered the beautiful

and simple direction of God’s Word

and His voice. As she took small steps

of obedience, a beautiful Revival of

Hope emerged. It was a journey that

illuminated Kristi’s heart and will

illuminate yours as well.

IN EVERY ISSUE

Publisher’s Note

Live an Empowered Life

Behind the Wire

Maturing in Isolation

Want to Know Jesus?

I’m Saved...Now What?

34

Resources/Ministry Info


Issue 01 / 2025

5

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Live an Empowered Life

Publisher, Kristi (center), is grateful for

the faithful support of the VL Ministries

staff. Pictured here with two team

members, Carla Owens (left) and Ashley

Smith (right), at the Revival of Hope.

The event taught the team much about

the faithfulness of God.

VLMag is primarily circulated

in the corrections community.

However, it is available in free

society to our ministry partners

for a gift of any amount.

Visit vlmin.org and click the

“donate” tab. Every dollar you

give sends one copy of VLMag

into a corrections facility,

where it will deliver hope to

many people for years to come.

Last September, our ministry held a

three-day, five-event Revival of Hope

under a large tent on an undeveloped

tract of land in Greenville, North Carolina.

You can watch the Revival of Hope events

and other inspiring broadcasts on Victorious

Living’s social media platforms, or if you’re

incarcerated, you can view them on your issued

tablet on the EDOVO, PANDO, and PAYTEL

content platforms, among others.

Our events are usually held in prisons and

jails, but I had sensed God wanted us to deliver

His hope to people in free society too. He

reminded me that a person doesn’t have to

be physically incarcerated to be in bondage.

What a beautiful sight I witnessed as God

used our team members, many of whom were

at one time incarcerated, homeless, and addicted

to drugs and alcohol themselves, to draw

people into deeper relationships with Himself.

Planning an event of this magnitude wasn’t

easy, however. Our team encountered many

challenges as we sought to hire security, obtain

permits, and establish electrical power

for a property that, interestingly, lies in two

eastern North Carolina cities—Winterville and

Greenville.

It was both comical and frustrating as we

tried to find the right people to make the event

official. Carla, our administrative director

turned temporary property facilitator, contacted

both local police and the county sheriff,

utility companies, and permitting offices, but

everyone said the same thing: “We can’t help

you. That land is not within our jurisdiction.

Call so-and-so.” Since no one wanted to claim

responsibility, Carla and I joked that the property

was in no-man’s-land.

The term caught my attention. No-man’sland.

Something unclaimed, rejected.

I’m glad to know that when it comes to God,

none of us are ever in no-man’s-land. The

world may refuse to claim us, and our loved

ones might reject us (and sometimes we do

the same to them)—but God’s love for us is unconditional

and eternal. He does not push us

away. He does not turn His back on us.

When we turn to Him, He claims us as

His own—all we have to do is call, and He is

there. He joins us in the mess we’ve made

(or that others have created for us) and

helps us overcome it (Romans 8:26–28). He

doesn’t reject us or tell us to call someone

else for help. He even searches out the ones

this world doesn’t want to claim because

He wants them (1 Corinthians 1:26–28)!

So back to my story. Securing electricity

was the final and most challenging task in

preparing for our event. After months of

confusion, we finally realized that neither

city had ever given the property an official

address. That missing address was keeping

the utility company from connecting the

power to the newly installed utility pole

and electrical boxes. Once we had an official

address, things fell into place.

This makes me think about the importance

of our life address. Until we’re willing

to stake our life in Christ and say, “I will

live in Him,” we will be torn between two

worlds, wavering between living for God

and living for ourselves.

I existed that way for years, and I often

felt powerless. It wasn’t until I decided to

build my foundation on Jesus and live in

Him that His power began flowing in and

through my life. That’s when I discovered

my identity as a child of God and began to

live a purpose-filled life. Anyone who stakes

their life in Him will find these things.

Have you settled the address of your life?

Or are you still wavering between living

for God and for this world? You can’t live a

powerful, purpose-filled life torn between

two cities.

What are you waiting for? Decide today

to live for Christ and watch as He uses you

to light up this world. In Him, you will live

an empowered life.


Publisher & Executive Director

6 Issue 01 / 2025 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMINISTRIES.ORG

TESTIMONIES

ARTWORK BY JOHN HERGET

Thank you for coming

to our facility. You could

have done anything else with

your day, but you came here

to share with us. After the

event, I returned to my bay,

got on my knees, and gave

my life to God. Thank you

for showing me the light and

for leading me to salvation.

Please don’t stop sharing

God’s plan and His Word.”

EDWARD

Pathway to Freedom at Wrightsville

Hawkins-Men’s Unit, Arkansas

Victorious Living

Testimonies

Through the stories of Victorious Living Magazine, men

and women behind bars meet the God of another chance.

I JUST FINISHED VL

MAGAZINE—WHAT A

WELCOME BLESSING!

IN JAIL, READING

MATERIALS CAN BE

HARD TO COME BY, SO

IMMERSING MYSELF

IN THE WONDERFUL

ARTICLES AND

TESTIMONIES WAS

LIKE A COOL DRINK

OF WATER FOR MY

THIRSTY SPIRIT.”

MICHAEL

Pima County Jail, Arizona

“I came across VL content

on the Pando App last year

while looking for direction

and inspiration. Watching

your videos brought me the

first bit of excitement, hope,

and joy I had experienced in

some time. During my time

in prison, largely thanks

to VL, I have developed an

amazing relationship with

Jesus, which is now the

foundation for my faith and

a clear path for my future.”

ANONYMOUS

SE State Correctional Complex,

Kentucky

“I am always thankful to receive

a letter from my VL family.

It’s been three years since we

started corresponding. The

correspondence team encourages

me in my walk with Christ,

as does VL Magazine. I never

thought a positive support

system and encouragement

could go beyond people I know.

It is one way God brings people

together for His glory.”

MARTIN

New Lisbon CI, Wisconsin

“OUR CHURCH SUPPORTS

THIS MINISTRY BECAUSE

THEY ARE THE HANDS AND

FEET OF JESUS IN AN AREA

WHERE IT ISN’T EASY FOR

OUR CHURCH TO REACH.”

PASTOR AARON KENNEDY

Open Door Church, Winterville, North Carolina


Issue 01 / 2025

7

STEPPING FORWARD

Do You Stink?

BY MICHAEL DIXON

BY JUNIOR HIGH, I WAS ALREADY

nicknamed “Wolfie” because I had a fullgrown

beard. One day, after I helped my

granddaddy on his farm, he handed me a

small gift bag. I opened it eagerly to discover

a shiny new razor, a tall can of shaving

cream, and a beautiful green bottle of HAI

Karate aftershave.

Excited, I rushed home, bathed, laid

the gifted items out along the sink, and

prepared to make my grand entrance into

manhood. I lathered up, covered my face,

and firmly grasped the razor as I began to

eradicate the source of my nickname. No

more “Wolfie” for me.

With the first shaving step complete, I

reached for the aftershave lotion. No one

had told me how much to use, so I figured

the more, the better. When I left the bathroom,

I was dripping with what I thought

was the magnificent, manly aroma of HAI

Karate aftershave. Boy, was I wrong.

That afternoon, when I walked into

the fellowship hall of our local church to

attend my Boy Scout meeting, you could

have heard a pin drop. Everyone immediately

stopped talking. Kids sniffed the

air and even pinched their noses as they

inquired, “What’s that smell?” Eyes turned

my way.

Nope. More wasn’t better. I was stinking

up the place! When I walked into that

room, I brought in a fragrance that negatively

impacted those around me.

It’s one thing to do that with aftershave

lotion, but have you ever considered how

your attitude and words impact others?

In 2 Corinthians 2:15, we learn that Christians

are to carry “the pleasing aroma of

Christ among those who are being saved

and those who are perishing” (NIV). What

scent are you carrying?

Consider your answers to these questions:

When you walk into a room, are people

drawn to you, or does the overflow of

your life make them want to run the other

way? Does your attitude bring a pleasant

aroma of thankfulness, kindness, and encouragement,

or the stench of complaints,

criticism, judgment, and rudeness?

Do you light up the place with joy, peace,

and love, or do you bring with you a dark

cloud of self-centered arrogance and a

prideful ego?

Each of us influences others for good or

bad, whether we intend to or not. Interestingly,

we can look good on the outside, be

cleanly shaven and freshly showered, and

still negatively influence others.

The Bible instructs us to be careful concerning

how we live (Ephesians 5:15–17).

According to Philippians 2:14–15, we

are to shine like bright stars in a dark

world. We do this by not complaining

and arguing. Through our love, kindness,

encouraging words, and generosity, we are

to build each other up (Ephesians 4:29;

1 Thessalonians 5:11, 16–18). We pollute a

room when we are critical and judgmental

(Romans 14:13), speak harshly to people,

or boast pridefully (Proverbs 8:13).

The kids who were hit by the overabundance

of the HAI Karate aftershave

I had so generously applied recovered

quickly that day. It’s far more difficult

to overcome the hurts and pains that we

inflict upon others through our stinking

attitude or unforgiving spirit.

It’s not too late to change the smell

your life carries. Ask the Lord and trusted

friends to help you identify the source of

your stench, to hold you accountable, and

to help you make changes.

Let the overflow of your life be a pleasing

aroma for all!

MICHAEL DIXON surrendered to God 35 years

ago after childhood trauma and addiction nearly

destroyed him. Changed by God, Michael became

a pastor, author, licensed addiction specialist, and

director of his nonprofit, L.I.F.E. (Living in Freedom

Everyday) Ministries. His bilingual curriculum,

L.I.F.E. Ministries, helps others find wholeness and

freedom in Christ Jesus and can be purchased on

Amazon. Videos can be viewed by the incarcerated

on EDOVO and through VL’s platform on Pando.


STEPPING FORWARD

God Hears

Wordless

Prayers

BY LISA APPELO

HOW DO WE PRAY WHEN WE HAVE NO WORDS? When

we don’t know what or how to pray or when the situation is

so overwhelming we can’t even think straight?

Several months after my husband died, I walked outside

to find my six-year-old with his dad’s BB gun. I was

alarmed and had a serious conversation with him about

why he couldn’t get it out without permission and an adult

present. He nodded. I locked it up, and I thought that was

that until a few days later, I walked outside to find him doing

the same thing.

This time, I wasn’t as patient. Tears welled in his eyes

as I took the BB gun back inside. Walking into the laundry

room, I closed the door, buried my head in a pile of laundry,

and let the sobs of sorrow come.

I knew this wasn’t disobedience. My baby was grieving

his dad and the times they’d gone shooting in the woods

and fishing at the river.

No words formed as I cried into that laundry pile. But

God heard my groans.

Not more than an hour later, a friend called, saying her

husband wanted my sons to visit their farm. “Is there anything

special they could do while they’re here?” she asked.

Oh, yes. Knowing her husband was a bird hunter, I asked

if he’d let them shoot to their hearts’ content and if he’d talk

to them about guns and safety the way a dad talks to his son.

God had not only heard my prayer without words, He’d

answered it. God hears your wordless prayers, too.

David from the Bible had many wordless prayers. In

Psalm 6:6–9, David talks about those prayers. He says, “I

am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with

weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred

by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.

Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my

weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer

my prayer” (NLT).

Like He did for David, God makes sense of our weeping

and comes to our rescue through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26–27 says: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our

weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us

to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings

that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who

knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the

Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own

will” (NLT).

The God who created us foresaw that there would be

times when we wouldn’t know what to pray, when we’re

simply out of words, or too exhausted by circumstances to

form a coherent prayer. He made provision for our wordless

prayers through the Holy Spirit.

When we lack the words to pray, the Holy Spirit has them.

When all we can do is utter “help” or sob into a pillow, the

Holy Spirit covers us in perfect prayer. He knows our heart’s

deepest wrestlings—even those we aren’t aware of—and He

also knows God’s thoughts. That’s why the Holy Spirit can

intercede perfectly for us “in harmony with God’s own will.”

Knowing our needs, God goes to work, bringing about

good from even the most difficult situations (Romans 8:28).

That’s an important truth to remember, maybe even now,

as you find yourself crying out to God without words.

I pray it brings you comfort, knowing that the tears you

cry into your pillow never go unnoticed by God (Psalm 56:8).

Nor do groans too deep for words. When you don’t have

words to pray, God hears the cries of your heart, answers

your prayers, and works all things out for good.

LISA APPELO is a speaker, writer, and Bible teacher who inspires

others to deepen their faith in grief and 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 lots of

dark chocolate. Find Lisa’s encouragement for faith, grief, and hope at

LisaAppelo.com.


Issue 01 / 2025

9

PATHWAY TO A

REDEEMED LIFE

THE STORY OF DARREN COONEY

Growing up, I thought the

world revolved around

me. I was used to getting

everything I wanted, when

and how I wanted it. I had

an addictive personality and loved anything

that made me feel good or important.

I smoked my first joint at 13. I got so

stoned that I ran into a wall and gave myself

a shiner. I loved every minute of it. Drinking

came next, and I was off to the races.

I intentionally got myself kicked out

of Catholic school so I could go to public

school with my partying buddies.

My big brother Randy worked in a youth

ministry, and he tried to get me involved

with Bible study and youth leadership. The

whole God thing, though, cramped my party

life, so I walked away.

I always had dope on hand, so I was the

life of every party. After graduation, however,

I started snorting coke, and like a

wildfire, addiction ravaged my life. Party

over! I was a dope fiend and an alcoholic,

the guy who’d steal your stuff and then help

you look for it. No one wanted me around.

When my mother passed away in 1996,

grief sent this mama’s boy on a three-year

bender. My habit cost me jobs and friends,

ruined my first marriage, and took my freedom.

I dried out for a year in the county jail.

In 2000, I was released on intensive

probation (IPS). Determined to change my

ways, I began attending recovery meetings,

got a sponsor, and did all the right things. I

stayed sober, worked hard, and made great

money selling cars. And then, one day, I

got a call that set me on a slippery slope.

“Hi, is this Darren?” a woman’s voice

asked. “I’m Brenda. A friend gave me your

number. I’m a single mom driving a minivan,

and I can’t get a date.”

“I’ll take you out to dinner,” I offered,

half-jokingly. She laughed and told me she

was looking for a reliable car that didn’t

scream single mom.

I was out on a test drive when this beautiful

blonde drove her minivan into the

dealership. I ditched the customer, jumped

out of the car, and ran across four lanes of

traffic to get to her. She didn’t buy a car that

day, but we did go to dinner. Brenda was

a perfect storm of what I loved—she made

me feel good and important. Besides, she

was drop-dead gorgeous. I was hooked.

With sparks flying between us, we were

married in Las Vegas in the spring of 2002.

Brenda had five boys, ages two to thirteen,

from previous marriages. Only three

of them were living with her at the time. I

knew nothing about being a father, but I

was determined to figure it out. Only one

problem—I was sober, but Brenda struggled

with pills and alcohol.

I have since learned that you can’t want

sobriety for someone more than they want

it for themselves. But back then, I had a

savior complex and thought I could fix

whatever was broken in Brenda. I had yet to

realize that two broken people can’t make

each other whole.

Brenda stayed clean for two years, until

one day, she decided she was done with

sobriety.

“I’m getting drunk,” she declared. “You

can either join me or leave me.” By the end

of that night, we were both loaded. A week

later, we were smoking meth together.

Drugs took our already unhealthy relationship

to an extreme level of toxicity.

PHOTO BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS, LLC


My old monsters came back in force, now

fueled with an insatiable addiction to meth,

money, and power. The life we’d built together

began to crumble.

I kept Brenda stuck at home with money

and dope while I sought the nightlife. Greed

and lust led me to chase after things no

married family man should.

I didn’t see the devastating effect my

behavior was having on the boys, especially

our middle son, Nathan. He walked,

talked, and dressed like me. I was a terrible

influence on him, but my conscience was

seared. All I cared about was fulfilling my

flesh’s desires.

Brenda threw me out when she found

out I was cheating. From then on, she

called the cops on me every chance she

got. I went from being a husband and a

dad to a homeless tweaker, couch-surfing

at friends’ houses. Our divorce was final

in 2007.

I hung out with a rough crowd. We had

one goal: stay high 24/7. I was involved in

all kinds of mayhem, hitting licks, doing

home invasions, and spending every day

and every dollar chasing dope.

One day, a buddy pulled out a shotgun

and asked me to go with him to sell it. I

thought we’d make money, score some

dope, and plot our next move. But once we

got there, the plan changed into a robbery.

Things went off the rails, and I took four

hits to the head with a baseball bat as I tried

to exit the scene. I looked up just in time

to see my friend grab the shotgun. I heard

a blast and watched in horror as the guy

with the bat fell to the ground. We jumped

in the car and fled the scene. Everything

was a blur after that.

Within hours, our faces were plastered

all over the news. Being a drug addict and

a fugitive was a level of insanity I had not

experienced before. I was on the run for

eight days, still trying to stay high while

jumping out of moving vehicles, crawling

through underground tunnels, and outrunning

the cops.

In desperation, I called Brenda. She

sounded concerned and shocked to learn

of my troubles and offered to help me hide

out. I told her where to find me and hung

I WAS A DOPE FIEND AND AN ALCOHOLIC,

THE TYPE OF GUY WHO STEALS YOUR STUFF

up. What was I thinking? Brenda always

called the cops on me.

Sure enough, unmarked cop cars quickly

swarmed my hideout. I tried to get away

but was tackled to the ground, cuffed, and

hauled off to jail with a broken hand and

a bruised ego.

AND THEN HELPS YOU LOOK FOR IT.

They caught up with my buddy, too, and

we were both charged with first-degree

murder and a slew of other crimes. The

storekeeper was dead.

It took three months to get my first legal

visit. My lawyer was so excited. “I have

some great news for you, Darren. They took

the death penalty off the table. You’ll only

do twenty-five to life.” Oh, yeah. Great news.

I hit rock bottom in solitary confinement.

I did care that a man had lost his

life, but I was also devastated by my dismal

future. My life seemed meaningless.

I thought back to God and how I’d walked

away from Him as a teenager. I got down

on my knees and…well, I asked for His permission

to end my life. The Lord’s response

came swiftly: “Darren. You’ve been dead

for years. I want to give you a new life.” (See

Ephesians 2; 1 Peter 1:3.)

In early 2009, I surrendered my life to

Jesus Christ. It was a significant date—

Brenda’s and my wedding anniversary.

But I wasn’t feeling too sentimental. I was

still mad at her for turning me in.

I clung to Jesus while I fought my case,

but I got mad at Him sometimes too. I was

grateful for a plea bargain that carried a

maximum sentence of only 10 years instead

of life in prison. Of course, I got the

maximum sentence, and away I went. But

God knew exactly where I needed to be and

for how long. I was under His discipline

(Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:11–12).

Behind those prison bars, I met some

amazing men of faith who loved Jesus

and cared about me and each other. They

taught me how to put other people’s needs

before mine (Philippians 2:3–5). It was a

relief to stop thinking about myself for a

change. I learned what it meant to be a true

Christ-follower by watching Him work in

these men’s lives.

I got hired for a job that took a crew of

guys to work outside the prison. This company

gives second chances and helps the

incarcerated learn a trade for success in

Darren’s grief over losing his mother

(left) set him on a dark road that led to

the mugshot below and imprisonment.


Issue 01 / 2025

11

PHOTOS BY CHIP WELCH (ECU)

THE LORD’S RESPONSE CAME SWIFTLY:

“DARREN. YOU’VE BEEN DEAD FOR YEARS.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A NEW LIFE.”

Above left: Their faith kept Darren and Brenda

strong after losing their son, Nathan, to an

overdose. Above right: The promises and power of

God’s Word is Darren’s source of hope.

the free world. I was even able to save up

some money for my life after prison.

When it was time to make release plans,

my family visited and set boundaries. “We

love you, Darren, but we don’t trust you.

It’s great you have Jesus now, but you’re

not living with any of us.” They were used

to empty words and promises from me.

Trust had to be earned.

I left the visit upset but trusted God was in

control. His answer was waiting for me in my

community at Along Side poured Jesus’s

love into me until my cup overflowed.

The company I’d been working for hired

me full-time the day I got out. It was a surreal

and humbling experience to work at

the same great company I had worked for

while in prison.

I contacted Brenda on social media to

see how she and the kids were. By then,

God had helped me forgive her. She gave

me a couple of one-word answers, sent me

Savior and received the living water He

offered. Today, we continue to follow God

and build our lives on His Word and the

leading of His Spirit.

God has worked a miracle in our lives,

redeeming and restoring what we had destroyed,

including our marriage. He swept

away our offenses (Isaiah 44:22), freed us

from addiction, and gave us the power to

stand even through the most difficult trials—

including the death of our son.

PHOTO, RIGHT, BY ARIZONA PORTRAITS, LLC

dorm. On my table was an application to a

a picture of the kids, and blocked me.

I’m amazed at how God uses Brenda and

discipleship program called Along Side Min-

Three months later, she texted me again.

me to help others discover their own new

istries. No one knew who put it there; Along

She’d seen pictures of me with homeless

lives in Jesus. Our prayer is that through

Side hadn’t held any services in our yard.

people on social media. She saw that I was

our story, you can find your pathway to a

I applied, got accepted, and worked with

a different man and wanted to know why.

redeemed life through Jesus Christ. Put

a mentor for a year. My mentor picked me

It’s Jesus. Want some?

your life in His hands—He will do more

up on my release date and took me to the

Brenda and I texted for a month, and

than you can imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

program. At Along Side, I met new brothers

during this time, I shared what God was

who were learning to walk with Jesus on

the outside. They greeted me with, “Welcome

home, bro!”

Home? I no longer knew what that word

meant and I sure didn’t deserve one. I’d

destroyed so many homes. But the entire

doing in my life. She was interested and

admitted that even though she was sober,

she longed for something more. She wanted

what was in me.

As you’ll read in Brenda’s story on page

16, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and

DARREN COONEY is a husband, father, grandfather,

and mentor. As Alumni President for Along

Side Ministries, he helps formerly incarcerated men

reentering society make Jesus their foundation for

a new life. He enjoys spending time with family and

friends, playing golf, watching football, and sharing

the Gospel with the lost and hurting.


STEPPING FORWARD

Let God Heal

and Refresh You

BY CHRISTINA KIMBREL

“I HAD A LITTLE ACCIDENT. It’s no big deal,” my

husband reassured me. He was home early from work

with his forearm wrapped in white gauze. Beneath the

bandage was an ugly, blistering burn.

I started to call his doctor, but my motorcycleriding

strong-man resisted. He wanted home care. We

cleaned the wound daily, applied antibiotic cream, and

tightly layered fresh bandages to keep germs out. But

by the third day, it looked worse; the skin around it was

red and warm.

A trip to the doctor confirmed an infection. As she

cleaned the wound and applied a porous bandage, she

told us the injury needed air to heal. This was a valuable

lesson in wound care I would soon need for myself.

My wound came after a disagreement with a loved

one. In her anger, she posted something hurtful and

untrue about me on social media; it cut my heart deeply,

triggering feelings of betrayal and shame. She took the

post down, but the damage was done.

As with my husband’s injury, my first reaction was to

cover up my pain. I put on a smile and went on with life.

But underneath, I was devastated. I wrestled between

anger and sadness, resisting the temptation to retaliate.

The more I covered up my feelings, the worse I felt.

Infection of the heart set in, and bitterness took root

(Hebrews 12:15). Everyone knew something was wrong.

My words were angry, impatient, and sarcastic. I was

edgy and suspicious, cried easily, and felt unmotivated

to do things I once enjoyed. When my passion for writing

and encouraging others faded, I knew I was in trouble.

One day, I couldn’t take it anymore. I collapsed in tears,

my face buried in my Bible. I cried out to my heavenly

Father like a little girl who had fallen and skinned her

knees. Lord, please help me. I don’t want to feel like this

anymore.

I remembered the doctor’s wisdom about caring for an

open wound. I needed to give my heart some breathing

room so the light of Jesus and a breeze from His Living

Word could bring healing.

The Lord’s an expert in wound care (Psalm

147:3). Think about it. Those closest to Jesus had betrayed,

wounded, and let Him down when He needed

them most (Matthew 26). He was rejected and despised

but still laid down His life for our sins (Isaiah 53:3). If anyone

understands, it’s our Savior!

God wasted no time in revealing His truth to me. Though

her actions were hurtful, my torment wasn’t the other person’s

fault. Not really. The condition of my heart was the

real problem. Pride and resentment were festering inside

of me, infecting every area of my life. And I had made it

worse by shutting everyone out, including God.

Healing began when I opened my heart to God, confessed

my sins, and repented (1 John 1:9). God’s soothing

mercy washed over me while His Holy Spirit went to work

tending to my heart. It was time for me to release the unforgiveness

that had been gripping me so tightly.

God’s soothing mercy washed over me while His

Holy Spirit went to work tending to my heart.

Honestly, I still didn’t feel like forgiving my friend, but

obedience to God wasn’t optional here. He’s forgiven me

for so much. How can I not forgive others (Ephesians 4:32)?

God helped me to finally move past the offense, and as I

did, His peace restored stability to my emotions (Philippians

4:6–8). I went from being angry to looking for ways to show

kindness to my loved one. I prayed, earnestly asking God to

bless her. The wound healed, and my heart mended. And

eventually, so did the broken relationship.

Do you have a wounded heart? Is there someone you

need to forgive? Take swift action to prevent infection of

the heart. Surrender that person to the Lord. Ask the Lord

to help you. Then open your Bible and let His Word heal

and refresh you. He promises to “restore you to health and

heal your wounds” (Jeremiah 30:17 NIV).

He cares for you (Psalm 55:22), and He’ll care for your

wound, too.

CHRISTINA KIMBREL serves as VLMag’s production manager. Once

incarcerated, she now ministers hope to those held captive by their past

and current circumstances while sharing the message of Christ.


Issue 01 / 2025

13

TRANSFORMED LIVES

The Wait Is

WORTH IT

BY SHERIDAN CORREA

HAVE YOU EVER COME TO A BUSY CROSSWALK, pressed

the traffic button, and heard, “Wait!”? Hearing that word immediately

makes me want to jump in the middle of traffic and

pretend I’m in a Frogger arcade game.

Waiting is challenging. Whether it’s waiting for a job opportunity,

a relationship to start or one to be restored, a release date,

healing from injury or illness, or simply seeking direction in

life, waiting often feels like a worthless, passive, and frustrating

experience. But it doesn’t have to be.

The Bible teaches that waiting is not a period of inactivity. It’s a

time when God is actively at work, shaping, teaching, maturing,

and preparing us for what lies ahead.

A lack of understanding about the benefits of waiting often

leads to impulsive behaviors—impatience, frustration, and anger.

Understanding God’s timing is essential. Proverbs 3:5–6 says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own

understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make

your paths straight” (NIV).

I clung to this scripture during the restoration process with my

children. Because of my alcohol and drug addictions, I had lost

custody and parental rights of my children. The shame within

drove me further into my addiction, adding to it homelessness,

criminal activity, drug dealing, stealing, and incarceration. But

then I encountered Jesus. And when I gave my mess to Him, He

began to transform my life.

Early on, I felt like a new woman, and a burning desire grew

within to take back my motherhood. The Lord revealed that I

would be with my boys again, but it took four years before His

promise was fulfilled.

During the wait, I experienced boredom, doubt, and frustration.

In fact, I tried to take matters into my own hands, but that

led to more complications and setbacks. In His wisdom, God

knew I wasn’t ready to be a mom. I needed time to learn about

being a committed and consistent person first.

Putting the future of my motherhood in God’s hand wasn’t

easy. But the more I came to know His love and His ways, the

more I was able to trust Him with my heart’s desire (Psalm 37:4).

I realized that the wait was not a sign of God’s absence or abandonment,

but of His active involvement

in my life.

In Acts 9, we read about Saul, also known

as the apostle Paul. Saul encountered Jesus

while traveling to Damascus to persecute

Christians. Three days later, he received his

call to proclaim the name of Jesus to both

Gentiles and Jews. Now, you’d think that

Paul, a man of action, would have headed

straight into the nearest town to start

preaching. But he didn’t.

He didn’t even consult with other people.

Instead, he tucked himself away with God.

And during the next eleven years, Jesus

Himself revealed all that Paul would need

to fulfill his calling (Galatians 1:11-24).

Like Paul, we need to learn to embrace

the wait and trust God’s timing. His plans

are always good, leading us toward Christlikeness

and completeness (James 1:4),

and they always have a purpose. God’s not

trying to control us or be mean; He’s giving

us His best.


TRANSFORMED LIVES

God for the blessings you have, even if they seem small.

Gratitude reminds us that God is already at work in

our lives. It also helps us remain hopeful and positive

during the waiting period.

6. Connect to community. It’s tempting to isolate

when waiting, but connection to a faith-filled

community is critical life support. Share your struggles

and uncertainties with trusted friends. Surround

yourself with people who will encourage you, pray for

you, and walk with you in the waiting. Their prayers

and encouragement will help you stay focused on God’s

promises. If you are in a season of forced isolation,

read “Behind the Wire” on page 32 to discover ways to

encourage yourself in the Lord.

Below are seven things that will help you embrace your wait:

1. Surrender daily. A surrendered life is a safe and

supported life. Begin each day with a prayer of surrender,

asking God to guide your steps as He fulfills His will for

your life, not your own. Ask also for help to trust Him with

the outcome.

2. Pray without ceasing. Develop a deeper relationship

with your heavenly Father through persistent prayer (1

Thessalonians 5:16–18). Resist the temptation to give up

or jump in, no matter how long it takes for your requests

to be answered. As you pray, you will find strength and

revelation.

3. Lean on scripture. Immerse yourself in God’s Word

to deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father.

Meditate and memorize scripture to remind you of His

faithful love. You’ll discover wisdom, power, and peace.

Focusing on God’s character and His promises will also

keep you strong.

Trusting God’s timing

led Sheridan and her

husband, Nick, to a

restored relationship

with her children.

4. Remember God’s faithfulness. Reflect and recount

past instances where God has come through for you and

others. These testimonies and accounts will strengthen

your faith. Keep records while you wait—write down

your prayers, what you’re learning, and how you see God

moving. When things get hard, return to those truths.

5. Practice gratitude. Make it a daily discipline to thank

7. Practice stillness. Resist the urge to rush ahead of

God. Instead, surrender your timeline to Him. As you

choose to be still (Psalm 46:10) and trust that God is

working all things together for your good (Romans

8:28), you will find peace.

These seven practices helped me embrace the wait and mature

in the process. As a result, I received God’s best for my life.

Today, I not only have my legal rights restored, but I have a

relationship with my sons and am walking alongside them on

their faith journeys. Had I forced my way back into their lives

on my terms and timetable, I would have been nothing more to

them than a name on a legal document.

I REALIZED THAT THE WAIT WAS

NOT A SIGN OF GOD’S ABSENCE OR

ABANDONMENT, BUT OF HIS ACTIVE

INVOLVEMENT IN MY LIFE.

God had something so much better in store for me. He wanted

me to have a relationship with my sons, not just my legal rights

restored as a mother. That gift wouldn’t have been possible

without the maturing process of the wait.

Not only that, but the Lord also restored my relationship with

my ex-husband and his wife. I could only praise God when they

invited my husband, Nick, and me to coparent with them. It’s a

beautiful thing that only He could have orchestrated.

Take it from me, God’s timing is perfect. If you will but trust

Him, take your hands off the situation, and rest in His love for

you, He will far exceed your expectations for the thing you so

desperately desire (Ephesians 3:20).

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 is VL’s director of digital content.


Issue 01 / 2025

15

Living

Water for a

Thirsty Soul

THE STORY OF BRENDA COONEY

You’ve probably just read my husband’s story,

starting on page 10. When I met Darren, I

was a hot mess, thirsty for love and trying

to wash my pain away in an endless river of

alcohol. Darren was sober, but he, too, had

many unresolved issues. He tried to help me

find sobriety, but a person must want sobriety

for themselves before real change can occur.

I wasn’t ready for that—I just knew Darren

could meet my most obvious needs. So we

got married and things were good...until the

pain of my past pulled me back into its grasp.

Growing up, I had no idea what a healthy relationship

looked like. I’d never experienced

true love from a man. As far as my biological

father is concerned, I only remember him

screaming and pulling my arm out of its

socket when he was in a fit of rage. One day,

he disappeared, my parents divorced, and

that was that.

My mom remarried a man I’ve since called

Dad. I was initially excited to have a new father

and seven new siblings, but the novelty

quickly wore off. Mom and Dad worked hard

to love and provide for us, but my young self

couldn’t see it. All I knew was that nobody

seemed to have time for me anymore, and I

grew resentful.

I started working a newspaper route at 11,

delivering papers door to door and collecting

money for subscriptions. Being young

and vulnerable, I was easily coerced into the

homes of grown men, where I was molested

on three separate occasions. I had no idea I

was being abused; I was just glad someone

was paying attention to me.

I was furious when Mom made me quit

the job after a young girl disappeared while

collecting money on our route. Who would

pay attention to me now?

I quickly set out to find a new source of

attention. This time, I turned to the stoners.

My new girlfriends and I smoked weed,

drank, and partied with grown men who

knew we were underage but didn’t care.

We’d go so far as to put on our bikinis and

hitchhike. We were 12! It’s only by God’s

grace I’m alive.

It’s incredible how far the thirst for love

and attention will take a person.

Other friends could get high and stop for a

while, but not me. I was continually looking

for more. I shoplifted booze, drank until I

was sick, and did it all again the next day.

It never occurred to me that my behavior

was abnormal.

I was arrested for possession of marijuana

at age 13. The judge didn’t appreciate

my attitude and doubled the fine. “You’re

out of control, young lady,” he said. “This

should teach you!”

It didn’t. I was just getting started.

My quest for love and attention took me

into countless unhealthy relationships.

My promiscuity was out of control. I gave

my self to anyone who wanted me. And I

received nothing in return except more

wounds in my soul.

At 15, I became pregnant by my boyfriend

and had a son. We got married, and



two years later, we had another son. Our

marriage didn’t stand a chance. We were

kids with nothing in common but two children

and a crack habit. Domestic violence,

homelessness, and addiction were the norm

until I finally mustered up the courage to

take our boys and leave. My husband died

in a tragic car accident soon after.

I stopped drinking and getting high so I

could move in with my mother, but I quickly

grew bored with sobriety and moved back

out to party. I got married again, had another

son, and fell back into the familiar pattern

of drinking, violence, and dysfunction.

Five years later, I grew tired of the beatings

and left.

I married a Christian man next, hoping

to have a better outcome. Unfortunately,

beyond sitting in a pew at church, our lives

were not built on Christian values. Nor had

I repented of my sinful ways. I wore many

masks, constantly pretending I was something

I wasn’t.

I had two sons with this husband, but after

the second one, postpartum depression

set in. I fought hard against the abnormal

and frightening thoughts I had toward my

kids and myself. I turned to alcohol and

medicine to silence the noise.

I hit the bars, stayed out all night, and

came home drunk. My husband wasn’t

having it, though. One night, our argument

grew violent. At 29, I was charged with domestic

violence, served a restraining order,

slapped with divorce papers, and lost custody

of my two youngest sons.

You’d think that would wake me up, that

I’d put the bottle down and search for help—

but no. I grew more desperate to find love,

attention, and much-needed provision. I

had many mouths to feed.

I had trouble landing a man, though. I

joked one day to a friend that my minivan

was ruining my dating life. Every time a

man saw my van, complete with car seats,

he ran in the opposite direction. My friend

laughed and connected me with his friend,

Darren Cooney, who sold cars. Maybe he

could set me up with a new ride.

Darren didn’t sell me a car the day I met

him, but he did take me out to dinner. I

quickly noticed his confidence, charisma,

and kind heart. That was all attractive, but

it was Darren’s big fat wallet that swept me

off my feet. I was focused on that prize.

I know…but that’s the type of woman I’d

become. I was incapable of loving anyone.

How could I? I didn’t even like myself.

We got married in 2002. It was amazing—

he loved and accepted all my kids from the

start and provided much-needed stability.

He also showered us with life’s finer things.

I felt safe with Darren, and he soon became

my everything. He had recently found

SINCE WE WEREN’T

ANCHORED TO

ANYTHING BUT EACH

OTHER, WE WERE

SWEPT AWAY WHEN THE

TRIALS OF LIFE CAME.

freedom from addiction and convinced me

that sobriety was the key to a better life. I

got sober for him.

For the next two years, we experienced a

wonderful life together. But in our bliss, we

forgot to guard ourselves against relapse.

We quit going to recovery meetings and

having accountability partners, and worst

of all, we ignored God and the power and

wisdom of His Word. And since we weren’t

anchored to anything but each other, we

were swept away when the trials of life came

(Matthew 7:24–27).

On page 11, Darren shares the horrid

details of how we both returned to the evil

clutches of addiction. Our marriage didn’t

survive the aftermath of drunkenness, infidelity,

and crime. He went to prison for 10

years, and I drank my life away for another

7. Before Darren was released, I had remarried

and divorced yet again.

Five marriages and five divorces—I had

become like the Samaritan woman who

met Jesus at the well. You’ll find her story

in John 4. That woman, like me, thirsted for

love. Her longings led her down difficult,

shameful, and dead-end roads too, just like

me. She was a hot, tired mess when she

met Jesus.

I love how, at the well, Jesus didn’t condemn

her for her past failures. He acknowledged

that they’d happened, and then He

offered what she had always needed—His

living water. One drink from His well, and

that woman never thirsted again.

I needed that water.

Interestingly, God used Darren to lead

me there. It happened after he was released

from prison in 2018.

Feeling ignored as a child (left), Brenda sought

attention outside the home in unhealthy ways.

Pictured above as a young teenage mother.


Issue 01 / 2025

17

WE ARE DETERMINED TO KEEP

OURSELVES ANCHORED TO JESUS, NOT

EACH OTHER, AND TO TURN TO HIM IN

TROUBLE, NOT THE BOTTLE OR DRUGS.

I was a bit nervous when Darren first

contacted me through social media. I had,

after all, turned him in to the cops when he

was on the run. What if he was holding a

grudge? Not only that, but I’d been working

hard the last three years to stay sober and

keep my life together.

I’d faithfully attended recovery meetings,

met with my sponsor, and had been dealing

with the underlying issues that continually

beckoned me down destructive paths. I

didn’t want Darren to come along and sidetrack

me, so I blocked him.

Being the nosy person I am, however, I

also secretly kept tabs on him. I expected to

see the charming car salesman with some

floozy on his arm, but instead, I saw pictures

of my former husband with a bunch of other

guys in a Phoenix-based program called

Along Side Ministries.

He looked so happy serving the community

and hanging out with people from his

church. He was smiling and laughing and

filled with joy. What in the world?

I was sober, but I sure wasn’t that happy!

Brenda and her

husband Darren

found wholeness and

healing through their

relationship with

Jesus Christ.

Was there a new woman in his life? That was

an annoying thought. Who cares? I scolded

myself, but I couldn’t resist. I had to know

what was going on. So I unblocked my social

media and messaged him. I needed to

understand why he was so happy.

“It’s Jesus,” he replied. “Want some?”

Yes, I did.

Over the next month, Darren shared with

me how Jesus had transformed his life.

Along Side had rules about relationships,

and ours was growing, so Darren asked for

guidance from the program’s pastor, Ken

Sheets. Darren was determined to honor

God and house rules.

We began meeting with Ken. It quickly

became apparent that the many unresolved

hurts I carried had led to wrong thinking

and behavior. It didn’t take a genius to

realize that I was the common denominator

in every destructive relationship and

circumstance.

I also had trust issues toward men, including

Darren, due to his unfaithfulness

during our marriage. Seeing my struggle,

Pastor Ken slid his Bible across the table to

me and said, “Your answer is in this book,

Brenda.”

And then he told me about Jesus. He explained

how I could have all my sins forgiven

and receive eternal life. I wanted God’s

gift of salvation, so I accepted Jesus Christ

as my Lord and Savior. Shortly afterward,

Darren asked me to marry him again.

In the five years since, as we continue

to drink the living water from His well, the

Lord has beautifully restored and redeemed

what we so carelessly destroyed. This time,

we are determined to keep ourselves anchored

to Jesus, not to each other, and to

turn to Him in trouble, not the bottle or

drugs. We have found that our faith in God

“is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our

souls” (Hebrews 6:19 NLT).

Together with God, we’ve endured storms

that would have destroyed us in the past,

like the loss of our son, Nathan, to a fentanyl

overdose in September 2022. Only through

the security of God’s love and the support

of our friends and church family have we

not returned to alcohol and drugs.

Perhaps you, too, live with an unquenchable

thirst for love that keeps you moving

from one unhealthy relationship to another.

Jesus wants to satisfy that need with His

living water.

No matter how far you’ve gone in your

quest or how many failed relationships

you’ve had, the Lord still welcomes you.

“Come, drink,” He says. Through Jesus,

you’ll experience rivers of living water

flowing through your heart, and you

will never thirst again (Isaiah 55:1; John

4:13-14; John 7:38).

BRENDA COONEY is a wife, mom, and grandma

who helps others discover their worth through the

eyes of their heavenly Father. She mentors women

in recovery, advocates for overdose prevention,

and offers support to parents of addicted children

and those who have lost a child to addiction.



GOD IS IN YOUR CORNER

THE STORY OF TONY MOORE

“Lord, help me. Please, get me out of here.”

PHOTO BY KADEN GILBARTE

My grandparents had taught me that God

hears our prayers. Well, I needed Him to

hear me. I was 12 years old and living in a

group home because nobody knew how to

handle me anymore.

I didn’t know much about prayer, but

I knew God was the only One who could

change me enough to get out of that place.

And I knew I needed changing. My actions

were taking me places I didn’t want to go.

I was mad at the world and felt like nobody

was in my corner. My emotions often

took over my body and mouth and got me

in trouble. I was so full of anger, but I had

no idea what to do with it.

I’d been let down by others many times—I

was used to that—but I couldn’t blame anyone

but myself for the mess I was in now.

My social worker warned me that if I didn’t

change my behavior, I was going to end up

in a place for the mentally unstable. But I

didn’t know how to change.

Then I prayed that prayer, and God started

working things out for my good (Romans

8:28). In March 2023, He led a lady named

Mrs. Deborah to open her home to me. I had

stayed with her briefly before for respite

care, and she’d told me then that she saw

potential in me. God had placed His love for

me in her heart, and because Mrs. Deborah

loved God, she stepped up and took me in,

even though she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

It took a while for me to be placed with

Mrs. Deborah permanently. She kept reminding

me though, “Tony, keep trusting

God and His plan. Keep praising and worshipping

Him, testify to others about His

goodness, and study God’s Word.”

She taught me that if I’d hide God’s Word

in my heart, then I wouldn’t keep sinning

against Him (Psalm 119:11). And she was

right. God’s Word gave me a way out of my

anger. Every morning, I meditated on Ephesians

4:26–27. It says, “‘In your anger do not

sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you

are still angry, and do not give the devil a

foothold.” (NIV)

My anger had given the devil a big foothold

in my heart and mind, and he used it to

about destroy my life. Human anger doesn’t

bring about the righteousness God desires.

(See James 1:19–21.)

Mrs. Deborah taught me how to give my

anger to God, how to love people, and how

to forgive. Forgiving people who hurt me

is hard, but God helps me do it. The more I

forgive, the more free I become. As I work

hard to fill my mind with scriptures, God is

transforming me into a new person (Romans

12:2). I’m becoming more like Christ. I still

have a long way to go, but I’ve come so far.

I’m 16 now, and I’m amazed at how God

has blessed my life. He doesn’t just forgive

my sins—He gives me a way out. Anger

doesn’t control me like it used to. I do still

have moments I’m not proud of, but I keep

coming back to God. He always meets me

with open arms and patiently shows me a

better way to go. I’m having to learn to die

daily to my will and live to God’s.

Your age, race, or background—they don’t

matter. God loves you, and He will help you.

All you need is faith in Jesus. God has already

given you everything you need in

His Son. Through His divine power, He will

help you live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3) and

experience the good plans He has for you

(Jeremiah 29:11).

You might feel like there’s nobody on your

side, but it’s not true. You always have Jesus.

He’s always in your corner.

Above Left: Tony appeared in court before Judge Perez with Mrs.

Deborah to request permission to share his story in VLMag. Pictured

right with our publisher, sharing his story at the Revival of Hope.

TONY MOORE is grateful for God’s intervention

and welcomes any opportunity to testify to the

goodness of God. He’s a high school student, a

member of JROTC, and a minister in training.


Issue 01 / 2025

19

Where There’s Breath,

There’s Hope

THE STORY OF TONIER CAIN

“What is wrong with you?”

Lots of folks asked me that question

early in life. People stared, criticized, and

judged, but no one was willing to look past

my behavior to see the real me. I had to go

through hell on earth before someone finally

thought to ask what had happened to me.

I didn’t wake up one day and Growing up, my siblings and

decide to be a drug addict and a I shared one bed in my mother’s

hot, dirty apartment in

prostitute. It doesn’t work that

way. Now, I’m not making excuses

for my many mistakes, of eight, and by age nine, I was

the projects. I was the oldest

but the hard truth is that life given the job of providing for

dealt me childhood circumstances

that were too heavy for I’m not complaining; I loved

and protecting my siblings.

me to carry and too confusing my siblings. They were my

to process.

only source of joy. But being

With no voice or sense of their caretaker robbed me of

self-worth, I lived as a victim my own childhood.

of those circumstances. That We were poor and neglected.

We went to school hungry,

is, until I learned there was a

better way to live.

dirty, and bruised. Our teachers

never asked why or cared to

intervene. Kids, however, took

great notice of my condition—

mocking me because I was unkempt

and smelled like urine

from wetting the bed. No one

wanted to be my friend. But

that didn’t matter—I loved attending

school because it was

better than being home.

My mother did nothing to

stop the abuse I suffered at the

hands of the men she brought

home. Night after night, they

did horrible things to me after

she passed out from drinking.

I never fought back or cried

for fear they might harm my

younger siblings next.

I had no idea how to handle

the pain I felt and the shame I

carried, until one day, I drank

from the half-empty cups left

in our home. Suddenly, I could

temporarily forget I was being

raped and abused. I drank up

every drop, every chance I got.

Mom would disappear for

days, leaving us kids to fend

for ourselves without even

the most basic of necessities.

I would scrounge around for

food scraps, but there were

never enough.

I was 11 years old when

social services arrived at our

door for a welfare check. I

remember screaming for my

mother to save us as the police

loaded my siblings and me into

separate squad cars and took

us away—but she was nowhere

to be found.


PHOTO BY E.Y.E. IMAGERY STUDIOS

I didn’t see my siblings again

until we were all brought to the

courtroom. My mother cried as

the judge scolded her. I remember

feeling angry at the judge

for being mean to her and making

her cry. Mom was forbidden

by court order to have custody

of us. That was the last time we

were together as a family.

One of my aunts took me in

and allowed me to experience

a better, more normal life. She

taught me many things I should

have already known, like

proper hygiene. We ate meals

together as a family and celebrated

holidays. The stability

in her home helped me heal a

little. I stopped wetting the bed

and attended school regularly.

Aunt Ann took me to First

Baptist Church every Sunday.

I loved learning about God

and Jesus, especially in Sunday

school. I memorized Bible

verses and learned to say the

Lord’s Prayer.

At 12, I was baptized. I didn’t

understand much, but I knew

that the Bible said God loved

the whole world (including me!)

so much that He gave His Son,

Jesus, to die for me so that I

could have eternal life (John

3:16). I wanted God to love me,

so in my childlike faith, I asked

Him to forgive me for my sins

and trusted that He would always

be with me.

Being separated from my

brothers and sisters left a

massive hole in my heart. I also

missed my mother. I loved her

very much, even though she

hadn’t protected me. I was

sure that someday, she would

love me back.

That’s why I was excited

when, three years later,

she came to take me home.

“Where’s my girl? C’mon,

Neen, I love you. You’re comin’

with me.” Neen was her nickname

for me.

I was 14, and finally, I’d heard

those three longed-for words—

I love you.

Suddenly all those bad memories

from my childhood disappeared.

Thrilled, I packed up

my things and left with Mom

that day without a second

thought.

But by nightfall, I’d realized

her true motive for coming to

get me.

“Neen, I’ll be back,” she said

as she walked out the door,

leaving me alone with the three

small children she had brought

into the world since our separation.

Mom needed a babysitter;

she hadn’t loved or missed me.

With that realization, I

became one angry, defiant

14-year-old. I felt trapped and

immediately started drinking

more leftover alcohol to deal

with life. “No one cares about

you,” I told myself as I numbed

my feelings. I dropped out of

school and tried to work, but

drinking was my main priority.

A year later, one of my mother’s

drinking buddies took a liking

to me. I didn’t care that he

was seven years older, nor did

I want to listen to what anyone

said about him. I thought my

Prince Charming had come

to rescue me. We got married

when I was 17 and had a son

soon after.

I loved being a wife and

mother. For the first time, I

had dreams and felt like I had

a purpose in life. But all that

was short-lived when the beatings

started. My happy life had

again turned dark and ugly.

A friend introduced me to

crack cocaine. Talk about a

numbing agent! I took right to

it. Not long after, my husband

walked out on me, leaving me

with a one-year-old toddler

and a fast-growing addiction.

I loved my son fiercely, but I

wasn’t ready emotionally or financially

to be a single mother.

My ex-husband dealt me a

devastating blow when he took

my son and left town with another

woman. I crumbled in

grief. Not knowing where my

Life as an addict and prostitute led

Tonier in and out of correctional

facilities and cost her the privilege

of raising her children. Pictured

above in various mug shots.


Issue 01 / 2025

21

I wanted to forget, but I couldn’t.

I wanted to die, but my body

kept breathing.

But because I was still breathing,

there was still hope for me!

child was or when I would ever

unloved and unwanted as I had.

see him again hurt worse than

The days blurred together. I

anything. And by then, I had

couldn’t have told you the day

been through a lot.

of the week or when I last ate or

I knew I needed to stop get-

showered. I snorted, smoked,

ting high, but the voice of my

and shot up drugs. I lied, cheat-

addiction drowned out the

ed, and stole for my next hit. I

voice of reason. I convinced

sold my body to random tricks

myself I could stop whenever

for money to get high. I used

I wanted, but I couldn’t.

dirty needles and took other

My troubles multiplied, and

crazy risks with my life daily. I

I sank deeper into darkness. I

was utterly out of control.

no longer got high to feel bet-

During my 19-year run on

ter; I needed drugs to function.

those streets, I racked up 83 ar-

What had started as a monkey

rests and 66 convictions. Each

on my back grew into a gorilla

time I was released to my old

that tried to take my life.

stomping grounds, the cycle of

I got pregnant five more

times over the next several

years. One pregnancy ended

in abortion, another a stillbirth.

Three of my babies were

snatched from my hands by social

services as soon as I gave

birth. I was deemed an unfit

mother.

insanity started all over. I’d live

wherever I could—abandoned

houses, crack houses, and under

bridges. I felt safest under

the bridge.

But somehow, no matter

where I went or how many

drugs I did, the memories of

what had been done and said

I used to lie on the ground

under that bridge and listen

to the people passing by overhead.

I wondered if they knew

about the world beneath them.

Did anyone know I existed?

Would anyone ever be willing

to help me find my way to a

better life?

Right before he could smash

my head in, I screamed, “Jesus!”

Incredibly, the guy stopped

his swing midair, threw the rock

down, helped me up, and drove

me back to the neighborhood

without saying another word.

This unbelievable encounter

shook me to my core. I knew

PHOTO BY E.Y.E. IMAGERY STUDIOS

The loss of each child ripped

to me as a child still haunted

I remember the day I learned

Jesus was the only reason that

away another piece of my heart,

me. I wanted to forget, but I

that Someone did know I exist-

man hadn’t killed me.

and shame overwhelmed me.

couldn’t. I wanted to die, but

ed. And He cared about me.

But why?

There I was, repeating the

my body kept breathing.

The day didn’t start well—out

After that, I started wonder-

same cycle of abandonment

But because I was still breath-

of nowhere, a guy I had ripped

ing about new things. Did Jesus,

and pain that had hurt younger

ing, there was still hope for me!

off earlier grabbed me and took

the One who had loved me as a

me so badly. But as an addict,

It’s one thing to be down,

me to a secluded area, where he

child, still love me after all I’d

I felt powerless to help my-

but it’s another when you see

proceeded to beat and rape me.

done and been through? Had

self, much less my children.

no way of getting up. That was

I opened my eyes just in time to

He seen me under that bridge?

I despaired, knowing that

me when I finally reached my

see him holding a giant boulder

Was He willing to help me? It

they would grow up feeling as

rock bottom.

over his head.

was too incredible to imagine.


Yet even with that supernatural

encounter and revelation,

I didn’t stop doing drugs

or running the streets. By the

spring of 2004, I was pregnant

again and running from the law

on a parole violation. A bounty

hunter found and arrested

me, and soon, I was back in a

prison cell.

A familiar feeling of defeat

and hopelessness greeted me

in that prison, as the memories

of all my lost babies flooded my

mind. I thought of the child I

was carrying within. I’d already

given her a name—Orlandra.

I was sick with worry that I

would lose her too.

Someone told me about a

program called T.A.M.A.R.’s

Children, which offers individual

trauma treatment to incarcerated

women. T.A.M.A.R.

is an acronym for Trauma,

Addiction, Mental Health, and

Recovery. The name comes

from the biblical story of King

David’s daughter, Tamar, who

was raped by her half brother.

This program was unique because

it addressed the trauma

participants had experienced.

If accepted into the program,

I would be allowed to keep

Orlandra. That made the decision

easy. I was determined to

make up for my mistakes that

had caused my other children

to be taken away, and to care

for and protect this baby. All

I needed was for someone to

teach me how.

I was a perfect candidate for

the program, but the warden

would not let me attend since I

was in prison on a parole violation,

an automatic disqualifier.

Without this program, I would

surely lose Orlandra to the foster

care system just as soon as

she was born.

Someone had once told me,

“If all else fails, look up and

ask God.” Now, I know that we

should look to God at all times,

not just in hard times, but God

used that quote to remind me

to look to Him.

On March 15, 2004, I went

boldly before His throne of

grace (Hebrews 4:16) and

poured out my heart to the

Lord. From a fetal position on

the floor of my cell at Maryland

Institution for Women in Jessup,

I got honest with God and

myself for the first time, knowing

I needed more than help—I

needed a Savior.

“God, if You’re listening, this

is Tonier. I don’t know if You listen

to people like me, but I want

to change my life. Please help

me. You are the only One who

can. If You let me keep my baby,

God, I will give her back to You.”

With those words, I put all my

cares, my life, and the life of my

unborn child into His hands.

A new Tonier Cain was born

that day. Before I got up off that

floor, I knew something was different.

I suddenly believed that

Jesus Christ indeed loved me

and that His love had washed

away all the old stains of my

former life.

I didn’t know how God

would answer my prayer, but

I believed He would. And that

gave me enough strength to

stand, put one foot in front of

the other, and begin walking

with the Lord.

Not long after, a therapist

from T.A.M.A.R. went to the

Right: Tonier travels often,

sharing her experiences and

providing tools to help others

overcome their past traumas.

warden and pleaded my case. me a safe place to purge all the

Whatever she said softened dark secrets I carried—secrets

the warden’s heart, and the that had poisoned me from the

next thing I knew, she agreed inside out.

to let me in the program, but I’d The therapist was kind and

have to wait for a bed to open patient and listened for hours.

at T.A.M.A.R.

Sometimes, I could only cry

I was willing to do whatever and not speak, but the tears

it took to keep my baby. were cleansing and God’s way

I was released from prison of helping me heal. His Word

and went straight to the program,

where a woman greeted catching my tears and putting

reminded me that He was

me with a smile. She took me them in His bottle (Psalm 56:8).

to my room—a room that was God was aware of my pain and

filled with all I needed to provide

a safe home for my child: As I disclosed the shame I

loving me through it.

a crib, bassinet, refrigerator, carried, my therapist set me

and more. God had undoubtedly

prepared the way for me. myself for being raped and

straight. For years I had blamed

Once settled, I met with my abused. She taught me that

trauma therapist, who helped these things weren’t my fault.

me begin to sort through my I was an innocent little girl,

past. In all my life, no one had unable to defend herself. I had

ever asked what had happened

to me as a child or why through life believing I was a

never known that, so I’d walked

I had chosen drugs. But God, bad person.

through this therapist, gave Session after session, I con-

God can help you rise from the ashes

of your past and experience a life

you never dared to dream of.


Issue 01 / 2025

23

God had given His one

and only Son for a

former drug-addicted,

prostituting thief

like me.

Left: Through her daughter,

Orlandra, pictured left as a toddler

and below as a young teen, God gave

Tonier the gift of motherhood.

fronted my fears, learned to

recognize my triggers, and began

to trust people. I realized I

have a valid voice and learned

healthy ways to stand up for

myself.

Being well enough to hold my

baby and be a mother brought

great healing, too. I was so

used to social services taking

my children away that when I

held Orlandra in my arms, it

took a minute for it to sink in.

She was mine to keep.

God truly gave me beauty for

ashes (Isaiah 61:3). The women

at T.A.M.A.R.’s Children taught

me how to care for and nurture

my child. Through this journey,

I learned that people can’t give

away something they have not

experienced. Unexpectedly,

I began to see my mother

through the lens of compassion

rather than rejection, as

I realized she couldn’t have

been who I needed or wanted

her to be.

Day by day, I grew stronger in

courage and faith, and my relationship

with God flourished.

As a child, I’d been told that God

loved me, but now through experience,

I knew it was true. I cried out to the Lord from the

It has been two decades since

God had given His only Son for floor of that prison cell. Since

a former drug-addicted, prostituting

thief like me.

addiction, mental illness, and

then, I have been free from

Through all those years shame.

when I was on the street, He This past year, Orlandra and

was watching over and protecting

me, despite my increasingly er; she turned 20, and I cele-

I celebrated milestones togeth-

reckless actions.

brated 20 years of being set free

After graduation, I was offered

a job with the program 36). Praise God!

by the Son of God (John 8:32,

and became an advocate I want you to know that God

for women who have been doesn’t play favorites. What

through trauma. I’ve had the He did for me, He wants to do

opportu nity to travel the US for you. You do not have to be

and abroad, telling my story a victim of trauma anymore.

in jails, prisons, rehabs, and God can help you rise from the

charitable organizations and ashes of your past and experience

a life you never dared to

educating people on the importance

of trauma-informed dream of.

care. I encourage every woman Don’t give up. Where there’s

I meet to fight for her healing. breath, there’s hope.

TONIER CAIN is a trauma survivor and internationally known expert in

trauma-informed care. She works tirelessly as an advocate and educator,

speaking all over the world on trauma, addiction, incarceration, homelessness,

and mental health. Tonier gives all the glory to Jesus Christ as she uses her

experiences to make a difference in the lives of those who are often forgotten.

For more information, visit toniercain.com.


TRANSFORMED LIVES

A LIFE RESTORED


AS I APPROACHED MY BROTHER- and

category-five storm, was barreling down

We’d stop the work and head down mem-

sister-in-law’s property, my heart grew

on them. It would have been easy to say,

ory lane.

heavy. All of Rodney and Mercy’s worldly

“What’s the use? This storm will undo any-

A few days before, a neighbor had scold-

possessions were heaped on their front

thing we’ve done.” But they kept working,

ed Mercy. “How can you laugh at a time

lawn, waiting to be hauled away.

refusing to focus on what might happen.

like this,” she’d grumbled. She didn’t know

The week before, Hurricane Helene had

More people stopped by to offer encour-

that laughter and gratitude were what kept

sent a powerful surge of saltwater into

aging words, food, and helping hands.

Mercy going and prevented her from be-

thousands of homes along the Florida Gulf

Eventually, though, every one of us left.

coming angry and cynical. That’s a great

shoreline.

Rod and Mercy, however, didn’t have that

lesson for all of us.

I had heard it from so many—“Kristi,

luxury. To rebuild their lives, they had to

Maybe you’re facing an unsurmountable

we don’t even know where to start.” But I

keep coming back every day. They couldn’t

task too. Maybe you don’t know where to

couldn’t comprehend the devastation until

wait for someone to come along and fix

start. Begin by asking the good Lord to help

I saw it for myself. It looked like a warzone.

their problem. They had to take respon-

you; He will show you the way (Proverbs

I found Mercy in the garage going through

sibility for their home and future.

3:5–6; Psalm 119:105). Then lay your emo-

hundreds of wet photos, attempting to sal-

It would’ve been easy to grow angry at

tions aside and face the mess with Him.

vage precious memories. I expected her to

those who hadn’t shown up, but growing

You’ll have to get your hands dirty as you

be downcast, crying, maybe even angry. But

bitter over someone else’s action or inac-

remove your contaminated items (maybe

she met me with a huge hug and thanked

tion wouldn’t fix their situation. It would

even people). It can be disheartening. Just

me for coming to help. I felt unworthy, as I

only impede progress. Rod and Mercy

remember not to focus on the discarded

could only be in town for 24 hours.

chose to be thankful for who was there,

pile; instead, look at the future set be-

“It doesn’t look like it, but we’ve made a

regardless of how long they remained.

fore you (Hebrews 12:1–2). Some days it

lot of progress.” Rodney added.

I was puzzled by some of the items in the

might even seem you’re going backward,

They were right. It was hard to see

mound—from a distance, they looked sal-

but you’re not. You are making progress,

progress with the mounds of debris and

vageable. But a closer look revealed fried

and you are not alone—God is in the mess

the endless work ahead. But once inside

electrical panels, corrosion, black mold,

with you.

their home, I could see the house had been

hairy mildew, and raw sewage. Rod and

Keep giving Him your doubts and fears,

PHOTOS BY KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON

emptied, pressure washed, and stripped

to the studs.

I recalled their comment about not

knowing where to start and realized that

to move forward, a person doesn’t have

to know exactly where to start—they just

have to be willing to step into the mess and

get started.

What made their efforts even more

courageous was that Hurricane Milton, a

Mercy had to remove these items before

their lives could be restored.

I was also amazed at how they embraced

the process. They didn’t complain or point

to the mound and say, “Look at what we’ve

lost!” Instead, they celebrated items recovered,

no matter how small. For Mercy,

every salvaged photograph was a cause

for celebration. She’d smile, laugh, and

call out, “Come here, chica, look at this.”

guard your heart, and refuse to quit. And

like my in-laws, stop and rejoice over what

you do have and celebrate how far you’ve

come. Every day, you’re one step closer to

a life restored.

KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON encourages and

equips people for victory through her writings,

speaking engagements, and prison ministry. To

learn more, go to kojministries.org.

Here, Mercy takes a moment

to reminisce as she looks

through photos damaged by

floodwaters. To the right: Rod

and Mercy’s belongings line

the street.


Issue 01 / 2025

25

THE STORY OF LADENA TILLEY

WHEN

JOY

BRINGS

STRENGTH

The Bible says, “Consider ing times as well as in good (1 Peter 1:8).

it pure joy, my brothers My life has been filled with “trials of

and sisters, whenever many kinds.” It started when I was 13

you face trials of many and my mother passed away. I later buried

my father and then my sister, brother,

kinds, because you

know that the testing and brother-in-law. I’ve also experienced

of your faith produces

perseverance. Let and a failed marriage.

significant physical illness, financial trials,

perseverance finish its work so that you Admittedly, joy has not always been my

may be mature and complete, not lacking first reaction to these situations. Many

anything” (James 1:2–4 NIV).

times, I wasn’t even sure I would make it

Joy in trials? I used to think that was through—the pain was just too severe, the

impossible, but the faithful love and goodness

I’ve found in my relationship with Desperate, I drew close to Christ, trusting

losses too devastating.

Jesus Christ have proven otherwise. Him despite the pain and confusion. In doing

so, I found that pure joy the Bible speaks

Before I met Jesus, I didn’t know I could

experience inexpressible joy in challeng-

of—the joy of the Lord. His joy gave me

strength (Nehemiah 8:10), brought victory

over the darkness (John 16:33), and revealed

to me the path of life (Psalm 16:11).

I’ve learned an important truth through

my many hardships—joy is not dependent

on circumstances. Joy is a supernatural

gift received in God’s presence. It’s an inner

strength that comes when we turn our

eyes from our troubles and focus instead

on God and His Word.

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and

strength, an ever-present help in trouble”

(NIV). That promise alone is a sure reason

for joy. It has become the theme of my life.

Every time I have called out to Him, the

Lord has come to my aid and given me

supernatural strength to keep going (Isaiah

40:29–31). God Himself has carried me

like a father carries His child (Deuteronomy

1:31) through every trial, even before

I recognized His presence.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERI SIMPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY


I gave my life to Christ 25 years ago,

and in that first moment of surrender, my

joy—God’s joy in me—soared. But in June

of 1999, just one year after I committed my

life to Christ, things changed.

I found myself suddenly in pain as a

slight rash on my neck quickly developed

into blisters all over my body. My skin

became raw and began to peel. People

stared and were afraid to touch me. My

rash wasn’t contagious, but I felt like a leper

and saw no end to my suffering. And then

the pain began attacking my joints, making

even walking a chore.

Whatever was going on with me progressed,

and soon, I was bedridden and

physically wasting away. After a battery

of examinations, prescriptions, and treatments,

the doctors finally came to a diagnosis

of von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis.

The treatments were almost worse than

the disease itself. I couldn’t stand to be

touched, yet three times a day, my entire

body was slathered with a steroid cream

and then wrapped in hot, wet towels, which

stayed on for two hours at a time. With each

pain-filled treatment, I felt my life draining

out of me.

At times, I was too weak to even pray.

Some days, I wanted to die rather than bear

the torture of treatment. I’m telling you—

joy was nowhere to be found. But there, on

my back, crying out to God, I remembered

JOY IS AN INNER STRENGTH WE FIND WHEN

WE TURN OUR EYES FROM OUR TROUBLE AND

FOCUS INSTEAD ON GOD AND HIS WORD.

and realized that He was my only source After several days, the sores, one by one,

of help (Psalm 121:1–2).

began to disappear. “Glory be to God!” I

Psalm 77 became my life’s song and the shouted. He was renewing my skin, from

book of Job, my handbook. I drew inspiration

from Job, a man who never lost faith in By mid-November, I returned to work.

the top of my head to the bottom of my feet.

God’s mercy, love, and grace even though I was glad and ready to give testimony to

he lost everything else—his possessions, God’s goodness. But I was only at work for

children, status, and health.

four days when a pulled muscle sent me

I felt God urging me to photograph my back home.

blistered body during this time. Taking And then came the most shocking

those pictures gave me hope. I was sure news—a lump revealed that I had breast

they would soon testify to God’s goodness cancer. I was 30 years old.

by proving how far I had come.

I couldn’t understand why this was hap-

One day, while wrapped in my cocoon of pening to me. I was just getting ready to

wet towels, rocking back and forth in pain, start a new life and now cancer?

God brought the words of Proverbs 18:21 On November 30, 1999, I had a lumpectomy,

followed by rounds of chemotherapy

to my mind: “The tongue has the power of

life and death, and those who love it will eat and radiation. Because of pain and sickness,

I missed work and soon lost my job.

its fruit” (NIV). Something changed inside

me that day as I thought about that verse. I I now faced a significant financial struggle.

determined to stop dwelling on the bad and I fought a constant sinking feeling of

to speak life over my situation. Right there, helplessness until one day, I remembered

in the middle of that treatment, I began to the promise of Matthew 11:28, where Jesus

thank the Lord for my body. I thanked Him said, “Come to me, all you who are weary

for hours, with tears rolling down my face. and burdened, and I will give you rest”

(NIV). I grabbed hold of this promise, especially

as I lost my hair from the chemo

treatments. I was so tired from the battle

of cancer, not to mention I felt less than

womanly.

That’s when the Lord reminded me that

“charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be

praised” (Proverbs 31:30 NIV). Day after

day, the Lord strengthened me through

His Word.

I began to praise God even though things

were hard. Doing so brought me into His

Left: A skin disease covered LaDena’s

body and tortured her daily. Pictured

right during one of her painful fullbody

treatments.


Issue 01 / 2025

27

GOD IS NOT SUDDENLY

COMPASSIONATE OR MERCIFUL.

HE IS ALWAYS COMPASSIONATE

AND MERCIFUL, DESPITE OUR

CIRCUMSTANCES, AND HE IS

ALWAYS PRESENT.

presence, and there I found peace, healing,

not suddenly compassion-

and that elusive, wonderful joy.

ate or merciful. He is always

Four months later, in March of 2000, I

compassionate and merciful,

was declared cancer free. Glory to God!

despite our circumstances,

I promised the Lord I would do whatever

and He is always present.

He wanted me to do and go wherever He

No matter what we are go-

wanted me to go. I felt Him calling me to

ing through, He is there. We

tell others my story, and I did.

need only to cry out to Him

I thought my trials were over, but more

(Psalm 88:1).

were on the way. In 2002, I married a man I

It was a lesson I’d need to

thought was the love of my life. Things were

remember for myself.

good for a while, and then they weren’t.

In 2013, I found another

We experienced many disappointments

lump. It was malignant. Since this was my

trials come because I know that the end

together, one of which was my inability

second bout with breast cancer, the risk

result will only bring me closer to Him.

to conceive. I grieved not being able to

was higher for the cancer to spread, so I

If you are facing a difficult time, I en-

be a mother. Working in an obstetrics/

chose to have a double mastectomy.

courage you to give your life and your trial

gynecology (OBGYN) office didn’t help. Expectant

mothers surrounded me.

One night during my prayer time, I told

God, “You have given me everything I’ve

asked for and more. But I wanted more

than anything to be a mother; I don’t understand

why You haven’t granted me that

request.”

God whispered to my spirit, just as clear

Two years later, I had a total hysterectomy,

which led to an emergency surgery

and eight days in the hospital. I remember

reciting the twenty–third Psalm while being

wheeled down the hospital hallway. I

told God, “If I survive this surgery, I will

give You the glory. And if I don’t survive, I

will still give You the glory.” It was a winwin

situation.

to Christ. Look to Him and find the help and

strength you need. Draw near to Him and

experience the joy of His presence. That

joy—His joy—will be your strength.

God can carry you through anything.

There is always hope in Him. His ways are

perfect, even when we don’t understand.

Maybe you’ve been walking with Him for

some time, but you’ve lost the joy of your

PHOTO BY GERI SIMKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

as day, “You are a mother. The same way a

The next few days did not feel like a win

salvation. Ask God, as David did, to return

woman births a child—through pain and

as I was extremely ill. But I knew that God

that joy to you (Psalm 51:12).

travail—you have birthed your testimonies.

was with me. He had not failed me. Not

God inhabits the praise of His people.

I have called you to deliver your babies—your

once in all those years of trials, tribulations,

When we worship Him, He draws near.

testimonies—to My people.”

disappointments, depression, oppression,

Take time today to remember all He has

With His words, I finally understood that

battles, and persecution had anything sep-

done for you in the past, praise Him for

through my many trials, God had been de-

arated me from His love (Romans 8:38).

what He is doing in your current situation,

veloping a testimony that He could use to

I continued to remind myself of this

and trust Him for what He will do in your

help change lives. I found peace and joy

truth when, at 55, I experienced a divorce

future. In His presence, find joy.

in that understanding, and I found con-

and found myself in yet another uncertain

tentment even though my circumstances

hadn’t changed.

In 2006, I wrote about my experiences in

a book titled A Woman Called Job, wanting

to encourage others going through difficult

times. One lesson I shared is that God is

stage of life. Once again, I was starting over.

Proverbs 31:25 speaks of a woman of noble

character who is “clothed with strength

and dignity,” who can “laugh at the days

to come” (NIV). That’s who I want to be—a

person who can laugh with pure joy when

LADENA TILLEY ministers daily to women in an

OBGYN office where she has worked as a phlebotomist

for 23 years. She cowrote her memoir, A Woman

Called Job, in 2006 with her mentor, Jacquelin

Thomas. LaDena travels sharing her testimony with

churches, organizations, and women’s conferences.

She can be contacted through worthbyladena.com.


STEPPING FORWARD

Get Back in

the Race

BY RANDY CLAYPOOLE

SEVERAL NASCAR RACETRACKS NATIONWIDE HAVE tunnels

under the track so fans can enter and leave the facility without interrupting

on-track activities. Over time, the track over the tunnel tends to settle,

causing a dip or bump in the racing surface.

Imagine driving a racecar at speeds close to 200 mph with mere inches

separating you from 39 other cars. For every lap, you must prepare and

adjust as you approach the tunnel turn and cross over that dip in the track.

Drivers describe what happens to the car as bottoming out, bouncing,

or losing momentary traction. Most say it “upsets the car,” which is proven

by the many accidents that result.

It’s one thing to hit that tunnel turn when the cars are all in a line, but

it can be quite unsettling when they’re running in a pack. One mistake

by any driver can lead to a crash involving many. A driver, completely focused

and on their line, can be suddenly caught up in the error of another.

Life is that way—it’s rarely a smooth and easy track. We can be focused,

heading in the right direction, when wham, we hit a bump in the road

that upsets our life’s trajectory. Or we get knocked off the track by some

other person’s mistake.

Bumps in life come in all forms—illness, job loss, death of a loved one,

ending of a relationship, financial loss, addiction to drugs or alcohol,

arrest, or even incarceration. The fallout from such situations can impact

us for years.

The apostle Paul is an excellent example of someone who faced various

trying bumps. Second Corinthians 11:23–28 says Paul was persecuted,

beaten, whipped, stoned, lost at sea, shipwrecked, hungry, thirsty, and

exposed to harsh elements, just to name a few. But no matter how painful

or unsettling the bump, nothing and no one could hinder Paul from

pressing toward the goal to which God was calling

him (Philippians 3:14). He was determined to

finish his race.

You can determine to be an overcomer just

like Paul. Refuse to get angry or cast blame. Don’t

be anxious, either. Instead, pray to God. He will

give you the strength and peace to move forward

(Philippians 4:4–7).

Often, the enemy, Satan, will try to take you out

of the race. He sends various trials in the form of

people and circumstances to distract and unsettle

you so that he can steal your victory (John 10:10).

But no matter what he sends, no matter how big

the bump or crash, your race is not over.

YOUR RACE ISN’T OVER

UNLESS YOU QUIT.

God can produce something beneficial from

even the most painful trials. If we let Him, He

will use those bumps on the road of life to teach,

mature, and strengthen us, as well as bring His

work in us to completion (James 1:2–4).

Have you ever thought about what happens in

heaven when you’ve been spun off track? According

to Romans 8:26–27 and 8:34, the Holy Spirit

and Jesus are praying to God the Father on your

behalf. They are interceding, asking God to help

you overcome. Hold on to that truth—Jesus and

the Holy Spirit are your prayer partners!

Bumps in the road are complex, and they hurt. I

know. But take a moment, be still, and remember

that God is God (Psalm 46:10). Your race isn’t over

unless you quit.

God will always be on your side, helping you

and working everything out for your good (Romans

8:28). So go ahead—thank Him and then

celebrate in advance what God is about to do.

“The righteous person may have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them all”

(Psalm 34:19 NIV). So don’t give up, and don’t

give in. Like Paul, forget the past, look toward the

future, and press on toward the heavenly prize

that’s waiting for you (Philippians 3:12–14).

RANDY CLAYPOOLE’s career in auto racing spanned 26

years. During that time, he served as a NASCAR chaplain

and public relations/media representative. He also owned

and operated the ISCARS Dash Touring Series, a professional

auto racing series. As a member of the Victorious Living

prison event team, Randy helps those who feel disqualified

for God’s race get back on track.


Issue 01 / 2025

29

Revival of Hope


PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT E. WHITNER

he moment I put my feet on the floor, a

soft light from under the bed turned on

and lit up the area. I’d never seen such

a feature in all my hotel stays

and was glad I wouldn’t have

to grope through the darkness. My pinky toe

was still recovering from a painful encounter

with an unseen bedframe six months earlier.

As I took my first step toward the bathroom,

Psalm 119:105 came to mind: “Your

word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light

for my path” (NLT).

Even in the wee hours of the night, the

Holy Spirit was teaching me (Psalm 16:7),

providing a beautiful example of how God’s

written Word, complete with all its commands,

lessons, and promises, as well as

His spoken Word (revealed through His Holy

Spirit), could light up any darkness and reveal

the way to move forward.

What caught my attention was the softness

of the light. It was comforting, not harsh. And

it was close. It wouldn’t illuminate my entire

day’s journey, but it did light the area around

my feet. It gave me just enough light to safely

move forward at that moment.

So often, I’ve wished God would pull out

His holy floodlight and let me see all the

details of a plan so I could feel better about

taking the first step. But since committing

to follow Him, I’ve learned He usually only

gives me enough light to take the next steps

of faith. He knows if I had too many details,

I’d run ahead of Him or be paralyzed by fear.

There’ve been times when God has given

me a glimpse of what the result will be;

but He’s never revealed the journey to that

result. I must take each step by faith, trusting

that when I get to where the light ends,

God will provide another to show me the

remaining way.

Such was the case with our ministry’s recent

Revival of Hope. The event idea came

to me moments before I took the stage at

our annual fundraiser in September 2023.

Our worship leader was praising God when

a vision of a white tent and the word revival

dropped into my spirit.

It was confirmed seconds later when a

teenage volunteer approached and said,

“Kristi, next year, we need some bales of hay

at the stage so people can come forward and

pray. We need a revival.”

That God-given vision and word of confirmation

was the lamp I needed to start the

journey. I had no idea what a tent revival

should look like, so I sought His will, and the

Holy Spirit spoke a soft light for my feet with

two words—simple and space. Surprisingly,

these short words were perfect guidelines

and guardrails for every decision we made

over the next year.

Through prayer, I discerned that I was to

create a simple space for God’s people to

gather and for Him to move, hence the tent.

And we were to gather for one purpose—to

glorify Him.

None of the programs were to be elaborate,

nor were they to be a place for racial,

gender, or denominational lines. (As if there

ever is a place for those things!) I also discerned

the event was not to be a fundraiser

for our ministry, as in past years. It was to be

a simple service of worship and testimonies

(Revelation 12:11).

The Lord promised if I lifted His name,

He’d take care of all the other details, like

finances for the revival and for our prison

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS STANBRO PHOTOGRAPHY BOTTOM: GERI SIMPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY / TOP: SHERIDAN CORREA


PHOTO BY PARKER OVERTON PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS BY GERI SIMPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

outreaches (Matthew 6:33). I also discerned

that we were to go into the local Pitt County

Detention Center and revive the hope of over

400 incarcerated men and women there with

the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So many people asked who we were bringing

in to speak. They were hoping for a big

name, and I’ll be honest—it took everything

in me not to run out and hire a high-profile

Christian speaker or musician. “Keep it simple,

Kristi,” I kept reminding myself. “Jesus

is the name you’re lifting.”

I knew that just as the Lord wanted a simple

space, He wanted to use simple people

too. And over time, He highlighted His speaker

lineup. It included people like Tony Moore

(see page 19), a 16-year-old boy living in the

foster care system who struggled in school

and with anger management. It included

others like Melisha Johnson, Kory Gordon,

Mike Taylor, Michael Dixon, Sheridan Correa,

Robert Whitner, and Christina Kimbrel—all

who have served time in jails and prisons.

Their testimonies would undeniably reveal

the life-transforming power of Jesus

Christ and prove the simplicity of the Gospel—for

God so loved the world (John 3:16–17).

God also wanted to use people like Pat Avery,

Cliff Godwin, Randy Claypoole, Kenny

Munds, Jeff and Mitzi Byrd, April Raines,

Deborah Jones, Matt Mollison, Cashae Edmonds,

Denise San Miguel, Miguel Nunez,

and myself. None of us had rap sheets, but

we all had a sin sheet that God’s grace had

pardoned. We’d faced and overcome difficulties

and insecurities with God’s help. There

would be people under that tent who needed

Fear and doubt fought hard against me.

I worried about what people in the community

would think about our panel. Few

church folks attending the event would have

been ministered to by such a lot. But God

reminded me that He uses the simple things

(1 Corinthians 1:28–30)—and, boy, did He!

Above: Some members of the VL Team

gather at the revival. Below left: Kristi

leads the VL Team into Pitt County

Detention Center.

Lord couldn’t take me to where He wanted

me to go. This endeavor was no different.

I was weary as we neared the September

19–21 event dates. Did anyone know how

much work the team and I were doing?

God graciously provided another soft light

through Zechariah 4:10 (NLT): “Do not despise

these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices

to see the work begin, to see the plumb

line in [your] hand.”

Wow! From the moment the work had begun,

the Lord had been rejoicing. Suddenly,

it didn’t matter who saw the work; God saw

it and was pleased. And that was all the light

I needed to run to the finish line!

As I look back at this Revival of Hope ex-

to know they could overcome too.

I was also a little nervous about what God

perience, I see that it was never about the

might do. What if He let loose and things got

event—it was about the journey. It’s always

lively under that tent? And what if people

about the journey. It’s about trusting God,

Left: Kristi embraces Revival of Hope

speaker, Melisha Johnson.

Below: Worship at the revival.

started rumors about me and the ministry?

God graciously gave me another word of illumination:

“Get over your reputation, Kristi.”

renewing our minds with His truth (Romans

12:2), listening for His voice, and adjusting

our steps to His. As we do, God will light our

My whole life, I’ve worried about what

paths and lead us to where He wants us to be.

people think of me. But God revealed to me

Whether you’re incarcerated or in the free

long ago that I couldn’t worry about man’s

world, you can watch the Revival of Hope

opinions and serve Him well at the same

through the Victorious Living Facebook page

time (Proverbs 29:25; Galatians 1:10). I’ve

or on issued prison tablets on PANDO.

met many naysayers as the ministry has

grown, and I’ve grown in Christ because of

them. I’ve had to get over myself and man’s

opinions many times, because until I did, the

KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON encourages and

equips people for victory through her writings,

speaking engagements, and prison ministry. To

learn more, go to kojministries.org.


Issue 01 / 2025

31

BEHIND THE WIRE

Maturing in Isolation

We receive thousands of letters annually from incarcerated men and

women. Recently, we received the following from Ricky, who, at the

time, was in solitary confinement in the Florida DOC.

Dear Victorious Living,

I am in disciplinary confinement, isolated from the rest of

the prison population. While here, I’ve taken mental steps to

grow closer to my heavenly Father, and God has used what

was designed as punishment to draw me back into His arms.

Although it is my desire to grow in my faith, staying

motivated in this isolated place is challenging as I am

detached from other believers who encourage and hold

me accountable. Not having fellowship with others

and no longer being under the teaching of spiritual

leaders makes it even more difficult. I am reaching out

to your correspondence team today for fellowship and

encouragement.

We imagine Ricky is not the only one going through a tough season

of isolation. It hits us all, and it comes in various forms. May the

responses below from formerly incarcerated persons spur you on

and remind you that you’re not alone in your journey—God walks

with you every step of the way.

Responses from our VL Team

ROBERT WHITNER

Dear Ricky,

Paul and Silas understood what you are going through

when they were stripped, beaten, and placed in the inner

dungeon of a Roman prison with their feet clamped in

stocks. Like them, refuse to let your condition or location

dampen your spirit. Instead, pray and sing praises to God.

(See Acts 16:16–40.)

Victory, peace, joy, and growth are found when you

look beyond your circumstances, captors, and condition

and look to God. You are not alone in that place. Just like

God was with Paul and Silas, He is with you. He may not

send an earthquake to set you physically free, but He will

send His Holy Spirit to comfort and teach you. He will

make you free in other ways. Keep looking to God during

this challenging time, continually praying and singing

aloud. Your sacrifice of praise will change everything.

KORY GORDON

I understand how you feel, Ricky. I spent

11 straight years incarcerated in the Florida

DOC with many lengthy periods of isolation.

You can either let it make you or break you.

Continually inviting God into that isolated

space can transform this time into one of

great blessing.

When I was behind locked doors with all

the distractions removed, I discovered the

very real nearness and accessibility of the

Holy Spirit. As I drew near to God, He drew

near to me (James 4:8). Not for one moment

was I alone. My brother, God is there with

you too. And He is for you.

Most people don’t get the opportunity to

spend that kind of time alone with God.

Take advantage of this gift! Dive into the

Word and hide it in your heart. Pray, sing,

worship, and then do it all some more. The

Lord will meet you in your isolation, and His

Spirit will accomplish things inside of you

that will forever change the trajectory of

your life. I’m living proof.

SHERIDAN CORREA

It’s encouraging to see how you are seeking

God during tough times, Ricky. Isolation is

hard, I know. Being separated from others can

make you feel alone, helpless, and powerless;

but you’re none of those things. God is with

you and ready to meet you powerfully. Your

connection with Him is limitless; you are never

out of God’s reach.

Use this time to strengthen your inner being

by deepening your faith, as Paul did during

his confinement. Depend on God for strength

and the Holy Spirit for guidance. You will

discover the mystery of finding contentment

and strength through Christ, even in the most

challenging situations (Philippians 4:11–13).

Stay rooted in prayer, sing songs of praise,

and memorize scripture. Write down your

prayers and reflections daily as you cry out to

God. Stand up and move around as you speak

scriptures aloud. These daily routines will help

you maintain structure and spiritual, physical,

emotional, and mental health.


WANT TO KNOW JESUS?

“Come to me, all you who are

weary and burdened, and I will

give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28 NIV

Do you need rest? Peace? Freedom? Forgiveness? Restoration?

Call out to Jesus, accept Him as your Savior, and be made whole.

ARTWORKS BY ALBERTO HENRIQUEZ

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.

WHAT NOW?

I’ve Accepted God’s Salvation.

Now What?

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 six 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 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.

6. SERVE. Look for opportunities for God to use you to give others hope.


Issue 01 / 2025

33

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 Greenville, NC 27836

PHOTO BY GERI SIMPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

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

Victorious Living Prison Outreach Information

• We do not mail individual subscriptions of VLMag to incarcerated

persons. 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.

• Family members of our incarcerated family and our ministry

partners can enjoy our free resources through pandoapp.tv

and VL’s online platforms like vlmin.org, Facebook, Instagram,

and YouTube. Our care team is available to pray with family

members of our incarcerated family by phone.

• 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 on your tablet

system, please write to us and let us know the name of your

tablet system.

• We offer fellowship through correspondence to those who are

incarcerated. Write to us at PO Box 2751, Greenville, NC 27836.

• We cannot receive COD emails or phone calls, nor do we accept

unsolicited stories for publication or legal documents.

34


VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

Where There's Breath, There's Hope

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?