Inspiration
Corrections Officer Turned Pastor.
On August 18TH I was invited to view an episode from the podcast ‘’ Consequences of Decisions Made” at Washington Street Church Of God about a corrections officer who turned Pastor Troy Johnson Shares with us how God changed his life His journey started 32 years ago (he also stated maybe it started a little farther than that). Pastor Johnson shares his trials and tribulations of being a corrections officer while also trying to be a Christian. At the same time, inmates often asked him how he was going to be a Christian and work. Johnson says the inmates would come to him, and he thanked God that he had earned the inmates trust and says he would’ve gotten fired if things had gone the other way. Pastor Johnson had lost his keys; according to him, that is the worst thing you can do as a corrections officer. While one of the prisoners returns the lost keys, they tell Pastor Johnson, “You’re lucky. I Respect You, Man." Pastor Johnson says all the years he’s been in the prison, the prisoners always knew he’d try to be fair, and that was the result of him earning the prisoners respect. Pastor Johnson states that the inmates often end up back in jail after going back to the same environment. Pastor says that the biggest things men leave behind when they go to prison are their kids and says men’s daughters will base their relationship on them (the fathers) on who they are and who they end up marrying (daughters). Pastor Johnson breaks down racism in prison, says there is racism towards the staff and the inmates, and also says racism is a big deal in prison. Pastor Johnson also points out that the inmates are very observant; he says they are watching even when you think they aren’t watching. Calle segregation and study the different types of bibles they had in the room and says that was the first time he encountered a spiritual warfare. Pastor Johnson shares that he experienced his first spiritual demonic warfare at the prison when he was called down to cell 13 and a 21-year-old man's eyes were rolled to the back of his head, and behind the man on the back of his cell read “Kill yourself tonight.” The pastor says he prayed with the young man and saw personally how the power of God works. The pastor says it was alarming to see a young man possessed like that. The pastor points out that the streets glamorize jail and says he’s talked to a lot of guys in prison and they’ve said their homies haven’t put anything on their books. Pastor said when the prisoners are in prison they get a huge eye opener. Kevin then asks Pastor Johnson, Has he ever seen a gang member go into jail under the gang influence and change and give his life to God? Pastor Johnson said yes, some of the prisoners got out and did great and went on and got great jobs, but he also said he went to a few funerals as well. Pastor Johnson says do not believe the hype about prison; it is not what it is set out to be in the streets. He says you do not need to be in prison; you need to be with your family. If you have kids, you need to be there watching them grow. Pastor Johnson also explains that he isn’t a corrections officer; he is in maintenance. Pastor ends it off by saying seek God's joy, and God has a plan for us all. Thank you for having me; it was a blessing.
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