Imprisoned for 22 years, God set his heart free

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By Jeff Camp —

I was so lost.  My life was a failure.  I hurt and disappointed so many people.  I let my family down and I had no idea my life would take me down this road. I never thought prison would be my home for 22 years.

I never felt God was pursuing me.  But can you believe the Creator of the universe wants to have a one-on-one relationship with me, Jeff Camp?  I really met God here in Newberry Correctional Facility in March 2015.  I was invited to a Keryx weekend where volunteers come into the prison to introduce us to Jesus.

The services were held in the gym and you could feel the wonderful Holy Spirit. It felt like all of heaven was there.  During that time, I met the King of Kings!  In my heart I felt He came just for me.  He sought me out.  I heard Jesus calling me.  He was at the door of my heart knocking and waiting for me to answer.  Saturday morning about 10:30 am I opened the door.  I can still feel that feeling and it makes me want to cry.  For those who don’t know Him, He is alive and actively seeking us!

You have seen this passage everywhere — John 3:16, “For God so loved the world” (that’s you and me) “that He gave His only begotten so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

We are the whoever.  I met Him.   He showed Himself through these men by the love they showed me.  They talked to me about His life, death and resurrection and what life in Him holds for me.  I asked Jesus into my life and to forgive me of all my sins.  You know what He did?  He wiped away the past and opened my heart to life.  He reunited me with God and that was God’s heart all the time.  I am restored!

My life has never been the same.  I have so much joy and a great hunger for God’s word.  He fellowships with me and His love for me and you are beyond words.  My prayer life has exploded as has my compassion for others.  There have been so many tears and so many answered prayers. I was asked to be a leader by the head of our prayer group so that I could help others meet Jesus personally.

The Holy Spirit will lead me even in sleep.  So, as I minister, it is important to be honest that my old life was miserable but I need to tell them about it.  I share my testimony and the difference God has made in my life.

My life verse is Phil 4:5, “Let your gentleness be made unto all men that the Lord is at hand.” As Paul writes in Phil 4:8-9, “Finally brethren, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  The things which you have learned and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”  God is so good to us!

In Psalms it says that His pathway drips with abundance.  He loves me and I love Him.  He is so good to me.  Jesus restored my family back to me.  I go home this year on December 29th.  Two of my sons, who I have not seen in 15 years are coming to pick me up.   I don’t cuss any more.  He took that away on that weekend.  People see Christ in my life.  John 3:30  “I must decrease and He must increase.”  I just let Him have His way.  He is so wonderful, and He filled me with His Holy Spirit.  Thank you Jesus!

I look at the simplicity of the Gospel that is so easy children can understand it.  When I am released, my main goal in life is to lead my four children, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren to faith.  I am making it my mission to see everyone of them baptized before I die!  I am going to use the tools God has provided for my ministry.  I hear these words – first word is Go.  Nothing will happen until you get started.  Second – make disciples.  Third – baptize.  Fourth- teach them to obey.  Love God, love others, make disciples!  Thank you for letting me share my story. — BigLife

 

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