Good News To The Oppressed
Criminal Justice
Third Sunday in Advent, Year B

A New Life After an Unfair Sentence

In June of 1979, I was sentenced to two life sentences for armed robbery, even though I did not carry a gun. The conviction for armed robbery carried more weight and heavier sentencing. The sentence was for two life sentences without eligibility for parole until 2038. Proverbs 19:21 says “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” I now know that God has a purpose for each one of our lives…

While I was doing time, I began to learn to bake in prison. In 1994, I was invited to church for the first time in my life.  I converted and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of my life through the persistence of a prison guard. Whenever he saw me, he used to say “Jesus Loves You.” That bothered me so much. Slowly, I started to believe it was true that Jesus loves me. Before I became a Christian, I used to run the prison I was in. I would run all kinds of games. If I told it all, it would make church people stone me. But, when I accepted Christ, I was transformed.

In 1996, I was given a task of becoming the personal chef of Governor Hunt at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. This provided me with some freedoms and experiences I would not otherwise have had. I worked there for four years. I met Bill Gates, Jesse Jackson, Michael Jordan, Senator Jesse Helms and Billy Graham. It was soon discovered that the state of North Carolina was at error for the amount of time that I was convicted for; therefore, I was released on February 15, 2000 as part of a prison ministry program. I was given a check of $45, and the check was cashed because I owed the state $20.00. So, I left prison, after 21 years, with my life’s savings of $25.00 dollars.

Soon after, I married the most wonderful lady (saint) that I have ever known—Wynella. We are partners, and I am now a student at St. Augustine College. I finished my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management in 2003. Today, the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to be a national motivational speaker for youth and adults. I am also involved in many community-based programs such as the NC Oral Historical Society at UNC, Urban Ministries Christian Business Men’s Association, and the Governor’s Job Start program for Prisoners. In 2002, I was ordained as an elder by the Community of Christ. I do not belong to any one denomination. I work with all to the glory of God.

By Rev. Otis Hardy, from www.exodusfoundation.org