A Face of Freedom

Josh's mugshot on the left. His face of FREEDOM the day he left Thurston County Jail on the right.

Meet Josh. Josh has been in and out of jail for years. It was in Thurston County Jail that he had an encounter with the Living God.

One of the first times Chaplain David did a Bible Study at Thurston County Jail, Josh had no intention of attending a group with "some old guy carrying a Bible." He had just drank some coffee and was ready to get a few reps in for the day when others in his pod convinced him of coming to the group.

As the men are waiting in the library for the Chaplain to arrive, Josh sees through the Library window, a bald guy walking with one of the Correctional Officers. He believes this is probably just another guy getting booked in. "There's no way that's our pastor!" He says to the others.

The dead bolt turns. Click. The door opens.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm David and I'm your chaplain."

From that day on, the Lord began working in Josh's life.

The day Josh was released from Thurston County jail for completing his sentence, Chaplain David was there to pick him up. He drove him home to be reunited with his family before a bed at the residential treatment facility opened up. This all happened a few days before his daughter's birthday, a joyous reunion indeed.

Today, Josh is working on completing the program at a Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) in Sioux City, Iowa. This facility helps with sober-living, money management, and other programs that ultimately help individuals become productive members of society. We're blessed to report that he's working, providing for his family, and expressing what he has received: forgiveness in Christ.

Chaplain, David Badley's real-life experience of what it means to turn from darkness to the Light of Jesus allows him to connect with guys like Josh on a daily basis. He knows what it's like. He's been there. His life experience with the unconditional love of Jesus allows him to share boldly: From Darkness to Light: Everything Possible in Christ.