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Testimony of . . . by this time, the sin in my life had driven me insane
and demons of darkness controlled me. Voices would invade my sleep telling
me that hell was my future. If I could just escape I would leave the
country or at least shoot it out and die trying.
The Life Story of Skip Lewis
My name is Skip Lewis. I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 28,
1948 to loving and honest parents who tried to raise me right. During
the first ten years of my life, we moved around a lot. By the time I
was 11, we had settled in east Tulsa. My dad was a first class upholsterer.
He made upper middle class wages and we had a well provisioned home.
Having everything I would need provided, I began to take life for granted.
Running the Streets
Suddenly my dad's personality changed and he began to yell at me and
punish me a lot for minor infractions. I didn't know then, that he had
cancer of the spine and was in a lot of pain. I guess he didn't want
to worry mom and I. As a fourth grader, I thought it was my fault, so
I began to crawl out of the bedroom window and run the streets at night.
I didn't think I was really wanted at home anyway.
This went on for awhile, until I was failing at my schoolwork, not eating
right or getting enough sleep. My dad tried to remain calm and discuss
it with me rationally. But I thought it wasn't really a concern to him,
so I didn't listen. He would go as far as his pain allowed, then would
beat me and scream that there was not anything good about me.
My mother was not able to stop this. When my dad got this way, she would
just leave the room till he cooled off. I remember the last time he
got mad and was going to beat me. It scared mom so bad, she took the
belt and told him to leave the room. She told him she would punish me
herself. To her way of thinking she was doing her best to protect us
both. To my way of thinking it severed all ties with these people who
had become strangers to me. They were now teaming up and it was them
against me. In my mind they ceased to exist and running away from home
became my obsession.
Crime - My Lifetime Occupation
On the street, I stole food to eat, clothes to wear and ate from garbage
cans. I had changed into a crazy boy the courts would later lock up
because I was running from life. They kept me in custody from age 12
to 16 at which time I was considered an adult. My dad died two years
after I was locked up in the state training school and classified as "incorrigible." In jail I met others running from life. We
would serve our sentences then go back on the street. We believed no
one wanted us and crime was just our lifetime occupation. It never entered
my mind that things should be any other way.
At seventeen I was arrested for kidnapping another boy and forcing him
at knifepoint to drive me to California. Actually we left together but
as the sun came up he changed his mind. He realized this was his dad's
car and he would get into trouble at home. We stopped at a filling station
and when I got out of the car, he drove off to call the police. He told
them I made him go with me. I was arrested at the filling station and
taken to jail for kidnapping him.
Jailbreak!
The District Attorney told me if I didn't plead guilty for 15 years,
he would take me to jury trial and get me 35 years. I knew I had this
beat because a policeman saw us leave together the day before. I laughed
at him loud and told him to take his best shot. It made him very mad
to say the least! When I went back to my cell, I found that all the
prisoners in the jail were working on an escape plan. I joined them
and helped get the job done. On the day before the letter arrived to
clear me of the kidnapping charge, I escaped from jail. For this I got
2 years in prison beginning in 1965. By then I had a long rap sheet
of convictions and Crime had become a part of my life.
Murder
In 1977 I murdered two people who were trying to help me with car trouble.
One was a policeman and the other a businessman. They were just aiding
two stranded motorists. When they stopped, they didn't know the stranded
motorists were two escaped hard-core felons, driving a stolen truck.
We had been in a gunfight across the state line in Colorado, and were
half drunk. We were men who thought life had cheated them and the world
owed them everything they needed. When we drove away into the night,
I thought how easy it had been to gun them down and rob their lifeless
bodies. For that crime we were given two life sentences and fifty years
in prison.
Mom
At least once a year mom would visit and tell me how I needed Jesus
in my life and how He could change everything. After she would leave,
I would go back to my cell and plan my next escape. Because of my escape
plans, I grew to be a "big shot" on the yard. It was all the
existence I had. By this time, the sin in my life had driven me insane
and demons of darkness controlled me 100%. Voices would invade my sleep
telling me hell was my future and I deserved this life. I had given
up hope that I could have the American dream talked about on TV. If
I could just escape I would leave the country, or if not, at least shoot
it out and die trying. I was 37 years old and since 1959 I had been
racing toward hell and life was bad for me.
Revival at "Big Mac"
In 1984, a revival broke out behind the walls of "Big Mac"
(Oklahoma State Penitentiary) as the power of Jesus led committed volunteers
from ministries around the state to form a program called "Prison
Invasion." They came down into the hell house of the devil to plunder
his domain and take back what he had stolen …the lives of men,
living behind those walls at the McAlester State Prison, bound by crime,
drugs, and homosexuality.
One day I saw some men on C-block talking to some prisoners I didn't
know. They seemed to be having a good time. They were standing near
the door through which we entered the cellblock. When I passed near
them I tried to see who they were and why they were laughing. Laughter
is not a part of the devil's routine, so the scene was unusual. Suddenly
one of them called me by my name and asked me how I was doing. I looked
for fear in his eyes. I knew how to control fear in people. But when
I looked into his eyes there was no fear, only friendship. As he put
his hand out, I took it and said that I couldn't place him and asked
where he knew me from. He said that we had never met, but his name was
Ron and someone had sent him down there to tell me some good news. I
asked him what this good news was. Suddenly other prisoners began to
surround us looking very happy. I figured it must be a new court ruling
to let us have less time or something. Then he said, "Jesus sent
me to tell you that He loves you and wants you to be a part of His family."
I stepped back like I had been shot. Jerking my hand loose, I said,
"You're mistaken, Jesus doesn't want me. I've done terrible things
and it's too late!" I quickly turned and moved away from them,
but Ron moved with me as the Holy Spirit ministered to me. His words
were fast and he knew that they were affecting me. He could see sin
and bondage waging a war with my mind for control. And Ron knew God
had a plan for my life. I returned to the cell and covered the window,
but the words were loud in my mind. "Jesus sent me to tell you
that He loves you and He want's you to be a part of His family."
After that, believers inside began to pray to God asking Him to work
in my life. Some would talk with me and tell me all the great things
Jesus was doing in their lives. As I watched them in their own group,
eating together, I decided God wanted them but I still believed my only
hope was to escape from prison. So I went back to planning how to leave
again.
Jimmy
In March 1985, Jimmy Smith started talking with me about quitting smoking.
He'd quit and had a book on how to quit. I read it and that opened a
door for him to witness to me. He took his time and kept it very simple.
I began to understand I was a sinner and when I died I was going to
hell, but I didn't have to! Jimmy said, "Jesus sent me here to
tell you that He loves you and He wants you to be a part of His family."
These words passed through the walls of my life. He asked me if I would
like to be filled with peace and be a part of that family? At the same
time another voice entered my mind saying, "It's too late. Jesus
doesn't want you, a killer, a stealer and a destroyer like your master
the devil." I didn't answer him. I just got up and went back to
my cell and sat on the bed. I sat there all day and most of the night
until I fell asleep sitting up. I thought Christians all seemed so happy,
such straightforward attitudes, such friendliness with each other. I
never saw them unhappy. It seemed too good to be true.
Forgiven!
On April Fools day 1985, after waking up and eating breakfast, I returned
to my cell and asked Jesus to forgive me for my sins, to come into my
life, and make me a blessing to all those around me. At that moment,
Jesus spoke twice, "Read My Word!" I told Jimmy Smith what
I had done. I found a Bible and began to read the New Testament. As
the story of Jesus began to unfold, the Holy Spirit opened the message
to me. By the end of the week everyone knew Jesus was with me. I told
them I had good news and shared my witness with them. By June of 1987,
the staff had decided the changes were real and transferred me to this
place. I have been a witness for Jesus ever since.
It's been over twelve years since Jesus came into my life and His blood
washed me clean of all my sins. I am writing this to anyone who is hurting.
There is Someone who cares for you and loves you and wants you to be
a part of our family. His name is Jesus and He is calling you and drawing
you, even as you read these words. Life is being sown in you and the
Word will not return unprospered in Jesus' name. I may still be in prison,
but prison isn't in me. Jesus is living in me! And he wants to live
in you!
Invitation
Jesus is inviting you, too, to become a part of His family like Skip
did. He loves you and has a whole new life for you. It begins when you
cry out to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins and cleansing of your
heart. Open your heart to God and let the Light of Jesus shine in. The
following prayer will help you get started.
Dear God,
I have sinned against you and broken your laws. I deserve to go to hell.
But I thank you that you love me and that you sent your Son Jesus to
die for me so I could be forgiven. Right now, in Jesus' name and through
His blood, would you forgive me of my sins, cleanse my heart and make
me your child. Would you give me your power (grace) to live a life filled
with your love from this day forward.
Amen
I was born in Tahlequah Oklahoma on June 6, 1962.
My parents were poor, hard working people. Dad, at the age of
15 ran away from home and met my mother. Dad was in his twenties and
mom was twelve when they were married. By the time mom was 18, she had
5 children; three boys and two girls.
Dad was a carpenter He also played country music and fought game cocks
both of which involved a lot of drinking and time away from home. As
a result, I had my first taste of beer by the time I was seven.
By the time I was twelve, my drinking was progressing rapidly. At the
age of 17, I was an alcoholic and a drug user and had been arrested
many times for DUI or assault and battery.
One night, after leaving a party, I returned with a 25 caliber pistol(which
I had stolen from my parents) and pointed at the head of a young man
,fully intending to kill him. This event resulted in my parents telling
me that if I didn't stop living like this I would end up killing someone
or being killed by the age of 21.
Oh how right they had been!! At the age of 19, I had a fight for my
life in a bar which resulted in a 44 magnum pointed point blank at my
face. However I shot the man in the head with a 20 gauge shotgun, killing
him instantly. I was booked for murder, but the charges were dropped
to 1st degree manslaughter. I was sentenced to 4 years. While in prison,
I got involved in a stabbing that almost cost a man his life.
I was paroled twice during this sentence but came back quickly for drinking
and fighting. I was so full of anger, hatred and bitterness that by
the age of 30 I had been back to prison two more times for drugs and
armed robbery. The armed robbery charges carried 7-20 to life sentences
in state prisons and 100 years with federal prisons and $1. million
in fines.
By this time in my life I had come face to face with death many times
and I had lost all hope in life. I found myself in jail or in prison
for the fifth time with the attitude of killing the first man that got
in my way. Feeling I was going to end up dead or on death row unless
I escaped, I made a knife and plans for an escape.
Three weeks later, two men tried spoiling my plot for escape. After
these two men left my cell block in fear of their lives, I was searched
for the knife. The guards found the knife on me and I was locked up
in the hole.
That day in 1993, I received Jesus Christ as my lord and savior. He
replaced that anger hatred and bitterness with love, joy, peace, and
so much more than words could express. A few days later, my brother
Carl who is a Christian came to see me. He told me about God for the
umpteenth time who I had been denying and avoiding all my life. That
has changed my outlook and life forever! Since that day, by the grace
of God, I've been set free from all drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and fighting.
Although Satan has tried to take my life several times for Christ's
name sake during my Christian walk, God has faithfully delivered me
without a scratch. God has restored my marriage! He has assured me of
my release from prison to go forth not by might nor power of man, but
by the spirit of God, to preach the Good News of the Gospel to multitudes
that Satan has in bondage just as I was for so many years. But all thanks
be to God through His son my savior Jesus Christ that I'm, completely
care free and continuing to live a life for God that is beyond anything
words can express.
Are you are in the same mess I was in for so many years where there
seems to be no way out?
Well I have good news for you!! If you will pray the following prayer
with me with a sincere and repentant heart, then you will experience
what I did in 1993 that there is hope and a new abundant life for you
in Christ Jesus.
Pray: Lord Jesus I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my
sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my lord and savior.
I am sorry for my sins and I ask you to forgive me of all my sins. Thank
you for forgiving me of my sins Lord Jesus and giving me eternal life.
Take control of the throne of my life, and make me what you want me
to be for Your glory. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.....
Learn these verses: John 3: 16, John 10: 10, Romans 6: 23, Romans 5:
8, 1 Cor. 15: 3-6, John 1:12, Ephesians 2: 8-9.
A Disciple In Prison
Dear Friends,
Jesus said ; "Believe in me." I believe!
I am an inmate in the North Carolina Prison System. I have been down
since September 8th, 1971.
On December the 6th, 1971 I got on bended knees one night, looking up
into the heavens, I asked Jesus to take me as one of His own and forgive
me of my terrible sins. He did! He cleaned my heart and made me a new
creature.
I begin to serve Him here in prison.
Two and one half years later I begin to write about my experiences of
serving Jesus while in prison. In 1975 my book, "Disciple in Prison" was published.
God's lovely people all over the U.S.A. began to write to me. I began
a newsletter called, "Jesus Now" to reach out to all those
people.
The returns have been wonderful. God has truly blessed me and given
me a near free life here in prison. My heart and mind are free while
my body is controlled by the state.
The last week of July 1995 I suffered a congested heart, shortness of
breath,and weakness. Jesus sure took care of that. Within three days
I was on the surgery table in Durham Hospital getting a triple by pass
put into my heart arteries. It was God's dealing with the doctors and
people in charge that got me through that critical time.
I praise His holy name! Today at 74 years of age I have no pains.
I sleep well because I believe Jesus and I know He cares for me.
A Captive Set Free
At the age of 16,I was arrested for public drunkenness. I began drinking
to be sociable with the men I worked with and to feel good, never dreaming
I would become a drunk. Not long after the drinking began, I started
smoking pot and taking pills to feel even better. In a very short time
I was a drug addict. Since my wages were only $1.00 an hour, I started
dealing drugs and buying and selling stolen property to feed the habit.
Every addict in town knew how to find me, to buy drugs and sell stolen
property.
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".
I still had to go to prison for the third time, but this time it was
different, instead of "doing time", I was using time to grow
in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. I read the bible every day
and listened to tape. I was really serious about serving the Lord and
living for Him. Then one day, while I was reading, I heard some guys
getting high on dope that had been smuggled in. The thought came to
my mind, "Go in there and get high." But while that thought
was on my mind, I heard a voice within me saying, "No, don't do
it, read the book." The struggle went on over and over as I read.
Then, the next thing I knew it was 5:00 A.M. And my first thought was,
"Jesus, you kept me from getting high, oh thank you Lord Jesus,
praise you Lord!" Since that time I have not been tempted with
drugs and all the thanks goes to Jesus, who set me free!
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
This was Carl Dutton in 1983, addicted to alcohol and drugs, having
lost his wife, children, home, humanity and dignity and facing incarceration
in the Oklahoma prison system for the third time. It was there in the
county jail that he came to the realization that his life had been for
nothing!
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.
W. Carl Dutton
2928 S.W. 16th Street
Okla. City, Okla. 73108
Home (405) 682-8936
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