"In 2000, John (whose name has been changed to protect privacy) was convicted of a serious crime that carried the weight of a life sentence. He was sent to serve his time inside the National Penitentiary, facing a future that seemed entirely devoid of hope.
"However, God had a different plan for his life. While navigating the harsh realities of prison, John crossed paths with an NLBI trainer who was a contact of brother H.M. Motsinger before NLBI's curriculum had been introduced inside the penitentiary. The truth of the Gospel pierced through the prison bars, leading John to accept Christ and he was baptized in 2005.
"His conversion was only the beginning of a profound spiritual journey. Brother John did not remain a passive believer. After attending a seminar conducted by Brother H.M., he earned his certification as an NLBI instructor and stepped into full-time ministry behind bars.
"Through his enduring faith, a lifetime of physical confinement was transformed into a lifetime of spiritual freedom and service. Due to his exemplary behavior while inside the prison, his life sentence was reduced to 25 years. This allowed him to gain his freedom and step out of prison last year.
"Upon returning home to visit his family, he faced the heartbreaking reality that his wife had passed away two years ago, and the whereabouts of his two children remain unknown.
"Brother John is turning 60 this coming November and he wants to dedicate his remaining years entirely to serving the Lord. Recently he met and talked with us and the leaders of the church about his plan to reach out to his hometown and plant a church there."
- NLBI Trainer Baldomero Lagua, the Philippines
