Free On the Inside - Prison Podcast

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Today we will talk to Chris Smith.   

Chris Smith's life is a testament to resilience and transformation. Raised in poverty with early exposure to drugs and alcohol, he entered the criminal justice system at just seventeen, spending a total of twenty years in and out of prison. Since 2017, Chris has redirected his focus to recovery and wellness. Today, he serves as a Recovery Coach, Social Worker, Recognized National Speaker, and Faith Based Coordinator in Northwest Tennessee. His personal journey from adversity to advocacy informs his work, where he dedicates himself to guiding others on their paths to recovery and rehabilitation. 
His story inspires others, demonstrating that through resilience and perseverance, transformative change is possible. 
We hope you enjoy this powerful show today.

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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On this episode,  we will be joining our host Donna Sparks,  as she interviews  Melisha Johnson. 

Melisha was raised in a loving Christian home,  but quietly battled insecurity,  rejection,  and feelings of unworthiness.  These struggles led her down a difficult path,  resulting in a 12-year federal prison sentence. 
In the depths of prison,  Melisha experienced a spiritual awakening.  Surrounded by darkness,  she surrendered completely to Jesus Christ and began rebuilding her faith from the ground up. 

Today,  Melisha is a sought-after speaker,  mentor,  and ministry leader who passionately shares her journey to inspire others in churches,  reentry programs,  women's conferences,  and correctional facilities. 
Listen as Melisha shares her miraculous transformation.

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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Today we are talking to Aura Lynn-Rouse. 
Aura has an amazing testimony.  She struggled with a life of trauma and addiction.  In November 2008, after leaving work she and a friend went out partying.  Driving home that night,  Aura hit and killed a man on the side of the road.  Absolutely unaware of the incident,  she was completely devestated when law enforcement told her what she had done.  Aura was then arrested for homicide and taken to the county jail.  But God wasn't done with her story.  Sit back and enjoy this powerful episode. 

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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Joe Oden burns for revival and awakening. He is a product of revival himself. He was saved and delivered from drugs during the Brownsville Revival, and he has never been the same. Joe has spent the last twenty-five years traveling throughout America and the world, equipping and mobilizing the body of Christ to share the gospel and reach the lost. His heart burns with the desire to see people transformed by the power and presence of Jesus. He currently serves as the national prayer and evangelism director for the Assemblies of God; director of the Assemblies of God World Prayer Center; and as the evangelism commission chairman for PCCNA (Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America). In addition, Joe has authored several books and serves on different councils and boards, including ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education) and the executive committee for the Global Evangelist Alliance, a division of Empowered 21.

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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Today we are spending some time with Jennifer Vickers. You may remember we spoke with her husband Michael, in Episode one. 
Jennifer did not grow up in a Christian home. She endured a lot of abuse physically verbally and sexually. Jennifer says her parents did the best they could with what they had been given. One Sunday she rode a school bus to church  after a neighbor had invited her. Jennifer asked Jesus into her heart and noted that she felt safe for the first time ever.
However, things took a dark turn when her mother went to prison when Jennifer was only 13.
After a failed suicide attempt, Jennifer fell into deep depression, and that is when her out of control drug abuse sent her spiraling. 
The good news is, Jennifer's story has a happy ending!  We hope you enjoy her testimony.

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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On today's show,  we will be talking to Cassie Cooper. 
Cassie was in addiction for 19 yrs,  she had been to prison 3 times .  She lost everything including her home and her kids .  Cassie has now been clean for almost 8 1/2 years.  She is a peer supervisor for the state of Arkansas and peer support for Saint Bernard hospital .  All this is because Cassie made a decision to accept Jesus into her life and make him her Lord and Savior .  Cassie and her husband now run a faith based men’s transitional home.  We pray you are blessed by Cassie's testimony.

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Ashley and her husband, Heath, are church planters in Lagrange, Indiana where they pastor Fountain Church. She is passionate about seeing girl’s lives transformed through the power and presence of Holy Spirit. She loves ministering in the local jail and to the ladies in her community through events and retreats. When she isn’t doing ministry outside of the home, she loves being with her husband and five homeschooled children, her main calling.

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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Join Donna as she interviews Ministry Director and Substance Abuse Counselor, Jennifer Long.  

Jennifer was a drug addict and was convicted as a felon several times.  Childhood trauma and bad decisions led her to a life of misery.  But after meeting Jesus while she was incarcerated she was radically changed by the power of the blood!  

Now Jennifer serves as a Ministry Director and substance abuse counselor.  She uses every opportunity to share the hope that only Jesus can give! 
Join us as Jennifer shares her beautiful story on Free on the Inside!

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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Amber's life was once bound by suffering,  addiction,  rejection,  guilt,  and shame.  But now she has now been transformed and is living a life of freedom and victory through Jesus Christ,  revealing God's power to turn ashes into beauty and sin into grace.  
I hope you are blessed by Amber's story.

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks

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Donna interviews Serena Dyksen in this episode:
 
Serena Dyksen was taken for an abortion at thirteen years old after being sexually assaulted by a family member. The abortion was carried out by George Klofger, who later made headlines for hoarding thousands of fetal remains. At 16, she found herself pregnant again, but this time chose life in a Planned Parenthood parking lot. The abortion never undid her trauma and almost cost her everything — until one night, when she was met with God's lavish love for her. It was through these difficult experiences that Serena encountered God’s grace, leading her to a life of healing and redemption.

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Story of Grace Prison Ministry with Evangelist Donna Sparks