Jail Bible led me to freedom

Once trapped in a world of violence, drugs, and despair, Antoine Davis never imagined that prison would become the place where he would finally find freedom.

Sentenced to 63 years for his role in a gang-related shooting, Davis has turned his life around behind bars – emerging not only as a man of faith but as a licensed pastor, offering hope to others society has written off.

Growing up in a turbulent household in South Seattle, Davis was subjected to repeated abuse at the hands of his stepfather. His home, far from a sanctuary, became the breeding ground for trauma that would shape his adolescence. Seeking belonging, he was drawn into gang life, where acceptance came with a marijuana joint in hand and a gun in pocket.

By the age of 21, Davis had become deeply entrenched in criminal activity. “I had the money and street cred I longed for as a 13-year-old, but none of these things provided fulfilment,” he reflected. His descent culminated in a failed act of vengeance that saw his gun jam – an unplanned moment that likely spared a child’s life and became a turning point for his soul.

Shortly after his arrest, Davis picked up a Bible inside a crowded prison cell – a decision he says changed everything. “God, if you’re real, I want this new life you’re offering through your Son,” he prayed.

What followed was a spiritual rebirth. The pain, anger, and emptiness that once consumed him began to unravel as he delved into Scripture, finding solace in words he had never truly known.

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