My parents divorced when I was 2 years old. My mom’s new boyfriend, my stepfather, raised me. He was very abusive and hateful towards me and he didn’t want children. Eight years later my stepbrother was born, and in four years came my stepsister. My stepfather was a different man now because he had his own.

I was in and out of trouble growing up. Over the years I attended Grace Church with my grandparents who were members. At that time it was called Des Moines Baptist Church. I’ve known Pastor Nelms and Jerry for years. I was recently involved in a severe motorcycle accident. I’m very lucky to be here and alive. I got involved in a domestic dispute with my ex-wife which landed me in Polk County Jail. That’s when Jerry shared with me about asking Jesus into my life. I thought I had done it before but I didn’t have any change in my life. Since getting out I try to go to church every Sunday and Wednesday. I also attend Jerry’s community group to learn about the Bible. Jerry and his wife are amazing people. We are so blessed to have people like them in our church and the jail. Now I’m moving forward and going to get baptized. I’m just looking for some scripture from the Bible that would be best fitting for myself.

I’m so blessed and thankful I came to Christ and am saved, with Jerry’s help. Moving forward I want to be in Sunday services, Bible study and attending Wednesday night classes as well. I can’t get enough of the Lord in my life. By the way, it’s never too late to give your life to Jesus. I’ll be 53 in October and have four small children who are 4, 5, 6 and 9 years old; two boys and two girls. I can’t wait to get them in church with me. I’m getting better after my accident and trying to put my life back together. I’m working on myself with my short term memory loss, and need for employment. My rehab has taken a long time. Because of multiple accidents, not just the motorcycle one, by all accounts I should be dead. I realize now that God has a plan for my life. He’s in my heart, and change in me is coming daily. God bless you all in Jesus name. Amen!

For a long time my life was defined by addiction and the heavy weight of drug use. That path eventually led me to a place I never thought I’d be – a jail cell. Looking back I realized that while I was physically locked up I had been a prisoner to my choices and to substances for years. It was in that dark place at my absolute lowest that I stopped relying on my own strength and turned to God. I realized that I couldn’t fix myself. I needed a Redeemer.

Today I am standing here clean, sober, and free — not because of my own willpower, but solely by the grace of God. He met me in that cell, broke the chains of my past, and gave me a second chance I didn’t deserve. Being out of jail is a blessing, but being free from the addiction that owned me is a miracle. I am living proof that no one is ever too far gone for God’s mercy. If He can do it for me, He can do it for anyone!!

I grew up the youngest of 10 on the east side of Des Moines. My family was chaotic most of the time. My parents were alcoholics that usually left us kids fending for ourselves depending on the mood of my stepfather. I never really had a childhood due to the fact that we all moved out of the house at a very young age.

By age 13, I was experimenting with drugs – weed mainly. I dropped out of school due to thinking I didn’t need it. I got a job and for several years and thought I was doing good. However, this consisted of being a womanizer and a taker through just trying to fill a void in my life. I ended up getting my first wife pregnant before marriage. I only married her as a last ditch effort to do the right thing. Through all of that relationship the chaos and disruptive paths continued, but I just wrote it off as “it wasn’t meant to be”.

At this time I met my second wife. The same thing happened but it took longer to figure out that the problem was me. I wasn’t ready. My addiction was in full swing and nothing was going to deter me from getting high. I continued being homeless and in trouble with the law. I abandoned my children and faced a lot of years in prison due to my lack of ability to care about others. By this time I was the lowest I’ve ever been – sitting in jail and reading the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. The Jail Chaplain came around, and as I talked with him I completely surrendered to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Since that day, 11/16/22 at 4:50pm, to say my life has been one of a miracle is an understatement. I’m no longer in a fight with myself or a taker of “what can you do for me?” My personal relationship with God is the most important thing to me. My kids are back in my life and there is no turmoil or chaos. My soul is at peace. I’m thankful for every minute of every day. I’m hungry for the word of God and His plan for my life. 1000% my life has changed for the better, and I could not be more grateful.

My name is Christopher Spargo and I’m 44 years old. For most of my life I’ve suffered from very severe depression. To deal with the depression and things life throws at us I chose to drink alcohol. I drank regularly every day and one day, after drinking, I found myself in jail. I’d lost everything including my freedom at that point. There I was all alone and depressed so badly that I wished I was dead.

That’s when I met Chaplain Jerry. He came to my pod. We would talk and he would counsel me. After every conversation he would pray for me and with me. I always felt so much better after talking and praying with him. It felt like a huge weight was being lifted off my shoulders. Jerry taught me I could give my heart to Jesus and be saved, and so I did. My life changed almost immediately. My depression lessened, and I felt better every day. Jerry taught the Bible study that I attended and I decided I wanted to continue going when I was out of jail and free. It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. Chaplain Jerry helped me come to Christ and become a better man.

I’m sober now and attend regularly at Grace Church. I get to see Jerry there as well as my church family. I appreciate Grace Church for welcoming me in. I haven’t even felt like going back to drinking, and feel like the possibilities are endless for the future. I cannot say thank you enough for what Chaplain Jerry has done for me.

Out of all the years of being in active addiction in and out of the Polk County Jail there were always two specific people I could count on – Chaplain Jerry and Rich Thomson. Everyone serving in the Polk County Jail Ministry always had their way of making me feel better about the situations I was in. If it was a prayer or making a special stop to the unit I was on for a weekly conversation, they really know how to make your day better. Waking up on Sundays and watching Jerry’s sermons also helped me escape the stress from being in jail.

I’ve been in recovery for almost five years now. Unfortunately, I’ve had some setbacks in those five years, but for my life as a whole, I have five years in recovery. I am truly blessed. Today I have completely given my life to God. I’m very active in my home church that I also get the privilege of crossing paths with Jerry on Sundays and an occasional weekday. I am in the word every day. I am free from addiction. My mental health is better than it’s ever been. I have a beautiful wife and three kids. I’m a mentor, and I have a job that I love. God has worked so many miracles in my life.

The best part for me about the Polk County Jail Ministry is that they’re not just there for you while you’re in jail. There are plenty of opportunities to reach out and connect with them when you get out as well. Rich Thomson still to this day sends me a daily Bible verse, and he will never understand how much that means to me. Every Sunday I can always look down the row and see Chaplain Jerry waving at us. Thank you to all who serve in the Polk County Jail Ministry.

First off I want to thank God for Chaplain Jerry and the Polk County Jail Ministry. The number of times I’ve been in the jail is embarrassing, but that’s neither here nor there. What is important is that each time that I’ve been in from the first time to the last, Chaplain Jerry and the Jail Ministry have been there for me in every way they possibly could. I’ve never been denied a Bible or a personal prayer. Through the years my faith has grown so much. It has a lot to do with the hope that was given to me while incarcerated and the prayers that were prayed by Chaplain Jerry and his staff.

Chaplain Jerry was there for me through so many things. One that sticks out the most was when my dad passed away last year. Chaplain Jerry was there within an hour of finding out my father’s passing, and as always he offered prayer, comfort and a hug. Without the prayers and Bibles given to me in those times of despair I would in no way have even have the knowledge, faith or love for God that I have today. I’m really grateful that in a place of such darkness and despair, I had someone give me encouragement, hope and God’s love.

In fact, it was in that very jail that I gave my heart and life to Jesus. Chaplain Jerry guided me with a helpful prayer. Today my faith is so strong. My life has changed in such a magnificent way now that I have given my life over to God in every way. I am now an active member of my family, church and community. I wake up each day asking God to direct me, and thanking Him for the blessings that He gives. I often think back to the years of my active addiction, constant incarcerations, and thank God for my struggles. I ask Him to guide and direct me in every way so that I can stay on the path, and be a good role model for my family.

My name is Taylor Hollister and I was born in Florida. I faced some adversity growing up, but regardless of that I did well in school, athletics, and worked also. Alongside my well doing habits, drinking and drugs took hold of my life. Wide is the way that leads to death. After graduation the addiction got the best of me. I squandered away everything I worked for while also forfeiting scholarships. I enlisted in the Army but was arrested shortly after which prevented me from joining the service. A constant revolving door of jails and institutions lasted for years.

During my incarceration I was introduced to Christianity and the twelve steps. Thank God that people as part of their recovery demonstrated the love of God and took time to share the good news with us. We were defeated by sin, and demoralized in the jail. It’s in the darkest times that the light of transformation shines through. The wages of sin is death, but Christ came so that we would have life and have it more abundantly.

Working the steps helped me identify some of the lies I picked up from the world and had been telling myself. The mistakes and hurts I caused in my alcoholism have all been forgiven through the blood of Christ. We are all made to be the embodiment of God’s righteousness in the world. Now every day I try to carry the vision of God’s will into all my activities. I’m growing in the image and likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb. AMEN!

My life was dark from the age of 4 as I grew up with sexual abuse. Keeping secrets was never easy, but the secrets were the only way to survive. I started using at the age of 16 and was in and out of treatment, jails, and institutions. In 2021, I visited jail for the last time, but this time was different. I knew that if something didn’t change I was going to end up in prison or dead.

I decided to reach out to Chaplain Jerry and ask for a Bible and a devotional called the Daily Bread. The next day I received them and began to read. As I read I felt peace sitting in the cell every day, and the drama and chaos was easily tuned out. Because of GOD I found myself and learned that I am loved by Him. The service that Chaplain Jerry provides to the jail is beyond his work. It’s the work of GOD through him! His Sunday services were amazing, and very appreciated!

I have now been drug-free for almost two years, attend a church, and pray daily. My relationship with GOD is that of a Father and child and His love for me is what I have needed since I was that child and throughout my life. Thank you, Chaplain Jerry and Patty, for everything and for helping me to make the connection to GOD! I will never forget your kindness and help!

I was born and raised in Council Bluffs. My parents divorced when I was young. My mom remarried shortly after and he adopted me. We were very active in a Baptist Church. I was sexually abused by my adopted father. He was arrested and sent to prison. I suffered a lot of trauma, and spent a lot of time with my grandparents. During my teen years I was very rebellious. I dropped out of school, ran away, and lived with my boyfriend in a hotel. I was pregnant at 16, and miscarried. Then I started doing drugs. At first it was weed and then a meth addiction. I was living life in the fast lane until I became pregnant again. It all came to a dead halt!

Shawn was born healthy in 1998. He was my pride and joy! My intentions to be a good mother didn’t happen. I sold drugs and became addicted not just to meth but to the lifestyle and the power that dealing held. My house was raided and I was taken to jail. My son was placed with child protective services, and my grandpa was granted temporary custody. I spent the weekend in jail and vowed to change my life. One night I read my Bible and cried out to God! I begged for forgiveness. I wanted to be a good mom, and get clean, but I was weak and failed.

I was arrested again and taken to the Polk County Jail. I was a mess! I was facing 15 to life. I had failed my son, my family, myself and God! I called grandpa to apologize. I said I’d be gone for a while and asked if he would take care of Shawn. He said, “As long as the good Lord wills”. Those were the last words I’d hear him say. He had a heart attack two weeks later and was on life support. Chaplain Jerry gave me the bad news. I was in shock and afraid for my son. Where would he go? Grandpa had become his safe place. I was terrified, devastated and desperate. I hit my knees and surrendered to Jesus. I repented and begged Him to take care of Shawn.

Jesus met me in that jail cell! He filled me with peace that surpassed all of my understanding. Somehow I knew it would be okay. It was no longer my life, it was His. My new life had begun! God gave me hope. I watched Sunday sermons on the day room TV and attended Bible studies with Miss Terrie Bishop. She became a very dear friend and mentor to me for twenty years. She visited me in prison. God’s love shines through her!

The Polk County Jail is where my journey began with God for 18 months. I was sentenced to 10 years in an Illinois prison. I got baptized, God restored a broken relationship with my mother, and my sister retained guardianship of Shawn. I was granted a transfer to Waseca, MN. I learned all sorts of skills and served on the praise and worship team. I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and God called me into ministry to lead worship in our chapel. I witnessed miracles. Many women gave their lives to Christ and found hope. I witnessed God’s power! It was bittersweet when my time came to an end in Waseca, and I prepared to return to society.

I will tell you this has been a journey and still is. I was reunited with Shawn and granted full custody of him. He came home with me at the age of 16. Only God could do that! God has given me a husband and two more beautiful children who are the loves of my life. I pray that my testimony will bring hope to those who are lost and have no hope. With God all things are possible. He will meet you in your mess! All you have to do is ask forgiveness and surrender your heart to Him. He will make your path straight.

God bless you!

I grew up in an Eastside Des Moines home marked by trauma and abuse. At an early age I had to learn how to survive on my own. Survival meant shutting down my feelings, hiding my pain, and turning to whatever numbed me the quickest. That led me into drugs, crime, toxic relationships, and a lifestyle full of chaos. As the years went by I became harder and angrier. I carried resentment toward the world and especially toward God. I couldn’t understand why He would allow such brokenness in my life. Instead of seeking Him I ran further away.

Even in the middle of my mess God was planting seeds. I didn’t know it then, but He was working when I was in the Polk County Jail. It became like a surrogate family to me at times–disciplining me when I needed it, protecting me from myself, and putting me in “timeouts” that I now see as God’s way of slowing me down. Behind bars felt like punishment, but it was when God whispered and said that He hadn’t given up on me.

It took many years for that seed to take root. I stumbled plenty of times, but God’s hand was steady even when I wasn’t. In August of ’24, everything changed. I walked into a Sober Soldierz meeting in Des Moines and sat quietly as I listened to testimony after testimony. I heard stories of people who had been where I was–broken, addicted, hopeless–and yet they spoke with a freedom, a peace, and a joy that I had never known. As I sat there something shifted inside me. The very thing I had been searching for all my life finally came into focus. The void I had tried to fill with drugs, relationships, and chaos suddenly didn’t feel so empty anymore. I realized that what I had been missing wasn’t a “thing” at all–it was Jesus.

That night I surrendered. I laid down my anger, shame, and addiction at His feet. I turned my life over to Jesus, and for the first time in years I felt free. By God’s grace I have been clean for over 14 months. I am working a good job, have my own home, and my family is back in my life. I’m actively working a 12-step program which keeps me grounded, humble, and connected to the people and principles that keep me moving forward.

Most importantly I now have a real relationship with God. I once hated the world and the God who created it, but now I thank Him daily for saving me. I no longer see jail as wasted time, but as one of the tools God used to change my direction. He took the broken pieces of my past–my trauma, my addiction, my failures–and is now building something new. All the glory belongs to Him! What I couldn’t do on my own He has done in me, and I know He is not done writing my story.