I was born in Newtownards in 1951. I have six brothers and two sisters of which I am the third eldest. I was not born into a Christian home, as neither of my parents knew Christ as Saviour. I grew up in a housing estate and ran around with a crowd of young people my own age. In my early years I knew absolutely nothing about Christians. I never had a Bible to read. (I was in darkness) At the age of 16 I left school and got a job as a van boy at 3 pounds a week. By this time I was already drinking cheap wine, home brew, smoking, gambling and taking the Lord's name in vain. But through the men that I worked with I learned to drink stronger alcohol, (be careful of the company you keep).

My father had taken ill when I was about 17; he was taken into Foster Green's Hospital for T.B. When I was 19 years old I was in the car when my brother-in-law came to tell me that my father had died. I was the eldest living at home and had to arrange the funeral. I remember the day at the graveside when the minister asked everyone to close their eyes in prayer. I would not do this because I blamed God for taking my father. After this I could not cope very well and started to drink heavier and take drugs. I tried to blank everything out. I got fed up with life and decided to go to England to live. I went with five mates. I soon learned that your problems go with you. I got up to the same things in England, drink etc. One night a man came into our bar giving out gospel tracts. He handed me one - most people will make fun - but I wanted to talk with this man. I was afraid of what my mates would say. I believe something started that night in me.

I came back home in 1973; I joined a paramilitary group and got involved with the troubles. One night I met a friend who had been in England with me, and he told me he was a Christian. I had no clue what he was talking about. Anyway he started inviting me out to Church where I heard men giving accounts of how God had changed their lives. Strange things started to happen to me when these men were speaking. It was as if they could read my mind, because no matter what I was thinking they seemed to speak about it (I know now that this was the work of the Holy Spirit convincing me of my sin). By this time I was watching Christians very closely - how they spoke with one another, how they reacted to situations, if they told lies etc. I was invited by my friend to a Gospel meeting on the 25th of November 1981; it was a Wednesday night meeting. A man called George Bates was speaking that night and he was preaching on the two spies going into the land of Canaan. He said there is someone here tonight just like these spies, you are here to spy out the land. Well that was all I needed to hear, because I realised for the first time that it was not anyone else who knew my thoughts, it was God. God knew all about me, my sins and yet He still loved me. That night I decided I wanted to be saved. That night George and another man read me some Bible verses. George then told me that he was going to pray and he told me that when he finished that I should get on my knees and tell God what I wanted, in my own words. So I got on my knees and told God all about my life, how I was fed up with the drinking, drugs, gambling, cursing and my involvement with the paramilitaries, but I was afraid I could not give them up. I asked Christ to come into my life, and the moment I asked, I received eternal life. I had a peace that I never knew before. I knew I was saved. I told my friend Gary and went home and told my wife. I told my father-in-law the next morning on the way to work. I went into work and told my mates. I took all of the bookie dockets, pornographic books and threw them in the bin. One man told me that I would last six months. I took a pen and on the workbench I wrote the date - a year later I tapped him on the shoulder and showed him the date. He could not believe that a year had gone past. I told him that it was God who had kept me. I went to the leadership of the paramilitary group and told him that I was now a Christian and did not want to be involved with them any more. They all wished me the best. I had no more desire for the things of the world. All of my sinful ways stopped that night 22 years ago, I give all of the glory to our Lord. If you are reading this testimony and are afraid of your mates, remember, these mates can laugh you into hell, but they cannot laugh you out of it.

Well my friends, I was raised in a gang family from birth. Shootouts, drugs houses and without God. My name is Larry Jedidiah Stewart. I was born in Los Angeles, California. I was just like the demon possessed man in Luke 8 v.26-39. My father came to prison when I was 7 years old. A strong mother raised my two brothers and me, but she did not know Jesus then. So the older homies in the hood were my role model. I started coming to jail when I was just 11 years old, then I started weed and PCP, and from there on my gun was my god, sad to say. But God had mercy on my family and me. I am 25 years old with a 23 year sentence, but living with more peace and joy than I ever had on the streets, and all of my family is still alive and on their way to being saved. As the Lord told the demon possessed man in verse 39 - Return to your house, hood, homies family and tell what great things God has done for you. He, Jesus has set me free in prison.... Psalm 115 v.1. Dear sinners, it is never too late to say yes to Jesus.... 'cause the earth is His footstool, so wherever you are, just bow the knee and ask him to come into your heart - Acts 7 v.49. God Bless you all.

Along the paths of life I find signposts, direction, sublime but in my stubbornness I decline amongst the pain and turmoil; I resign.

No hope, shut down, I'm in a mess, for life is lost - a worthless test. There's no way out, don't know what to do, I look for answers I cannot find, I've finally lost my mind.

Kill myself it's for the best, I miss them much I cannot change. Alone and worthless I'm to blame. A hardened heart, a broken man, life is just a sham.

And then a glimpse of hope, a friend of twenty years or more I spoke. We talked of God and things I knew. Hey! Why did I not see happy I could be.

But in the morn when I awoke dark clouds came over. I did revoke a lot of nonsense, must have been spoke. The day goes on - who's God, I choke, it's just a myth, a timeless joke.

I'm back again in selfish blame, let's end it now before more pain, for this world - it holds no gain, just more misery and more pain. I try and try and try again, for I cannot end this pain.

I come to rest from darkness, in the light the moon is shining in the night. I've lost the will; I've lost the fight. I cry to God to make it right, forgive Lord in all your might.

He took my dark, he gave me light, he gave me peace, he gave me love, compassion too, and from this hell he pulled me through. He gave His Son so I could see upon the cross he died for me.

My life's not waste. I've entered the race to live for him who set me free and the days of life they begin to fill, to learn of God and do His will.

A love relationship, how can it be? To love a sinner just like me? Break me, mould me, make me clean so I may witness to the unseen. For they are blind as I was too, may I disciple just for you. For they are many and we are few, bring them back Lord, unto you.

My Holy One, my Holy One, God the Father, God the Son. God the Holy Spirit, God the only One, my Prince of Peace. Thank you Lord for my release.

During my stay in prison, I came to realise that beer drinking, womanising and fighting was the root cause of the case I was being punished for. The truth of the matter is, that I did not intend to kill anyone and it was due to being drunk that it happened. While in prison I met with other Christians who later introduced me to the word of God through Bible studies. I continued to worship with fellow inmates and became a changed person. Before I went to Supreme Court, I prayed and asked God to forgive me, for I did not know what I was doing when I had all the physical freedom in the society. I also realise that doing bad things and going to Church at the same time was wrong, therefore I was led to ask Christ into my life as my personal Saviour. I am married with three children who are at school - my wife is keeping them. Nevertheless I am happy that every time they visit me, I share the word of God with them. God has blessed me; they have started to attend Church every Sunday. Therefore freedom is not when one is in prison, but I have come to know that freedom is in Jesus Christ.

My advice to those who have not tasted of prison life is that you should stay away from the works of the flesh. Ask Christ into your life and He will give you peace and rest and joy like you have never known God Bless.

He is the King of Heaven and Lord of the land, on Christ the solid rock I stand.

High Priest he is my teacher and Saviour of course, he came for me and protected me from all of evil's force. I am a soldier of Christ and I have a destination. He gave me the breastplate of righteousness and helmet of salvation. I put on the belt of truth; my Brothers help me to maintain truth in love for myself and others. I place on my feet the shoes of the Gospel of peace; I take the shield of faith, and sword of the Spirit, which is the real word of God. Love your Brothers and neighbours is what Jesus did say, for Christ is the life and the truth and the way. Do not condemn people and judge others, for with the measure you use, it will be the same unto you, and even more my Brothers.

O come let us adore him, let us adore our Lord, the judge is standing at the door.

Lord Jesus you came to this world to take our sins and died for us, his life he gave for you. I am a Christian and I love Christ, for he is my soul and he is my life. Thank you Jesus.

I am so glad that he is still by my side today. His healing hands have been upon me; I have been healed from all of my sickness and pain. I can remember when I was going through all of my difficult times. At times not even being able to pray, but God smiled upon me and blessed me. He is so mighty and forgiving, he is faithful. He was thinking about me when I was not thinking about him. He has put food on my table and clothes on my back also shoes on my feet. Thanks be to God, I will always think of him from now on. Praise God he is watching over us - my praise and worship is alone to him. Thank you Jesus, you are my all in all. When I was sinking deep in sin He saved me.

My friends, I thank our Lord for another issue of this magazine. No matter how low you are feeling right now, there is an answer.That answer is Christ, for he is the solution to the problem. Each week I sit with many inmates and tell them about Christ. I tell them of how Christ changed my life over 21 years ago and of the peace he has given to me. He stands at the door of your heart; he will not force his way into your life. Taste and see that the Lord is good - that is what our Lord is saying to you today. I pray that our Lord will have spoken to you through this powerful Issue. If you want to respond to God's free gift of eternal life and receive him into your heart and life, then pray this following prayer from your heart. God Bless. Martin.

"Dear Father, I know that I am a sinner and that I need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died for my sins. I am willing to turn away from my sin and I now invite Jesus to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour. I am willing by God's grace to follow and obey Christ as Lord of my life."

If you have prayed this prayer and have accepted Christ into your heart and life, please let us know, so we can pray and help you in your new life in Christ.