Although I was married, I was continually in and out of jail and went to prison twice. Soon I had lost everything, my home, wife, children, humanity, and dignity. Out on the street I wouldn't work, had to get high during the day and try to find a place to sleep at sight. There was an old car in my mother-in-law^'s back yard, where I had stowed a sleeping bag. I couldn't let her see me because she would turn me in, so I would wait until after ten o'clock and slip over the fence and sleep in that old car. I had to wait until I was sure she'd gone to work before I could get up, then I'd go up to the house and try to see my wife. Before very long though, I'd get arrested again.

On January 26, 1983, I was back in the county jail; I always hated that place but it was worse this time. Those bars were the biggest bars ever, seemed like they were a foot thick! The walls seemed to be closing in, the floor coming up, the ceiling coming down, and there I was caught in between them. Tormented by claustrophobia, I asked myself, "What am I doing here? How in the world can I back in this place again?"

On a shelf, in the day room of that tank, was a beat up old bible that the Gideons had left there at some time. Something within me said, "You need to read that bible" I thought, "Read the bible? Only wimps and sissies read that, and I'm tough." After all, there were guys in there that I'd been in prison with, fought with and done drugs with. If I read that bible they would see me! Still, something kept saying, "Read that bible, read that bible." But, after several days of pacing the floor in that place, I was so tormented that I went into that day room and picked up that old bible and began to read.

Oh, how the Lord convicted my heart and soul as I read. I thought, "Oh my, this book, this book it's true, it's true!" As I continued to read, God became so real to me. I knew my life was nothing, so right then I said, "Lord, my life is nothing, forgive me Lord, forgive me for the life I'm living and give me another chance. I believe, with your help, I can do a whole lot better next time! Just give me one more chance, Lord."

I want you to know, He brought up before me all my past faults and failures, and the many times He had tried to save me, but I had rejected Him. But then He forgave me, He came into my heart and saved me, washed and cleansed me I tell you, I had never felt so good...so pure...so clean. I didn't even feel like the same man who had been put in jail for the crimes he had committed. I was a brand new person, and even though I had lost everything, I felt like the richest man in the world because the Lord Jesus Christ had saved me. Just like the old hymn says, "Just as I am, without one plea but that thy blood was shed for me".

After only one year in prison, I was transferred to a work release center in Enid, Oklahoma. There I found a group of men who were having a prayer meeting every night I joined with them in prayer and received the glorious blessing of the Holy Spirit. Such joy! The Lord seemed to he directing my footsteps, work was found immediately. A man, who had been there for six months and hadn't found work, asked for prayer and was hired the very next day. Because of this answer to prayer, he gave his life to the Lord.

While at Enid, I received my first pass to come home. My wife picked me up at the bus station and on the way home she kept looking at me and the smile on my face. Later that day, she asked me what had happened to me I told her about Jesus and what He had been doing in my life, and my wife got saved!

Soon afterward, I was transferred to Oklahoma City, under house arrest, and everything seemed to be going well when another test came. God allowed me to be returned to prison to complete my sentence. I didn't understand why, but I remembered the scripture, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) I was learning to lean on Jesus and follow His direction.

I completed my sentence, joined a bible believing church and in my free time passed out bible tracts and witnessed in shopping centers, nursing homes and on the street. Jesus has fully restored my life and given me joy unspeakable!

CARL DUTTON (CAPTIVE) AUG. '77

This is the story of a three time loser, headed for a life of incarceration and misery, until he found the way to a new life of happiness and fulfillment in the Lord, Jesus Christ. His name is W. Carl Dutton, former alcoholic, drug addict and convict

His story is similar to many millions of others who, through the ages, have come from a life of sin and degradation, having lost everything and having no hope of a future, to begin a new life of joy and peace through the saving knowledge of Jesus. Prayerfully hoping these words will reach others in similar circumstances and plant the seed of salvation; he offers his experience to YOU!

CARL DUTTON (CAPTIVE) AUG. '77

With his cell closing in on him, Carl picked up an old bible that had been left there and began to read. Calling out to Jesus for forgiveness, Carl accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savoir. Set free from the bondage of drugs and alcohol, Carl began a walk with the Lord while he was serving out his third term in prison. It was here also that the Lord restored his life and his family. Called, by Jesus, to preach deliverance to the captives, Carl studied for the ministry and received his ministerial credentials. Directed by the Lord to do a specific work, Carl returned to the Oklahoma county jail, first as a part time chaplain, and then in June of 1994, as a full time chaplain, and now Carl is preaching deliverance to the captives at prisons all across the country. He has been able to witness to many hardened inmates who have refused to listen to the Word of God until they see what Jesus has done in Cans' life.

My wife and I recommitted our lives in Holy matrimony after having been divorced for more than ten years, and all our children were saved. The Lord provided us with another home and much, much more!

The governor of Oklahoma granted me a full pardon on Feb.10, 1989, restoring all my rights of citizenship. Jesus had granted me a full pardon of my sins back there in 1983 in the Oklahoma county jail, bound for prison for the third time I had been lost, without hope, headed for hell, when I read that old Gideon Bible and cried out, "Lord, my life is nothing, forgive me, give me another chance", and by His grace and mercy, He did! I figure that the Lord has used my witness, to His glory, to change the hearts and lives of those held captive to sin and have led more than 5,000 men and women to Jesus since beginning this ministry. But, the work is far from being finished; the need is greater today than ever before. There are thousands of prisoners, all needing to hear the Gospel news

Your prayers and support are urgently needed and greatly appreciated! Your support adds to the testimony of this ministry.