Success Stories

Izzy’s journey towards reconciliation with his son is nothing short of remarkable. Despite attending five Texas One Day with God Camps in hopes that his son would attend, the pain of rejection was enormous.  Yet he never let it deter him from trying again.

Finally, he signed up for the sixth camp at the Connley Unit, holding onto the faith that his son would come this time. And when he did, the joy that filled the room was indescribable. The reunion of father and son brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.

Izzy’s transformation is truly inspirational. Despite serving a 20-year sentence, he was determined to lead a different life. 

And with the help of God, he did just that. He met a beautiful woman, and together they have two adorable daughters who absolutely adore their father. Izzy is the epitome of a “Godly Dad,” a testament to the power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.

His message to fathers who long for a relationship with their children is simple yet profound:

“Always keep an open mind and heart, even if your child is angry with you. The love that you give will overcome everything else.” Izzy’s story is just one of the many that we have witnessed, and it serves as a reminder that no matter how bleak the situation may seem, there is always hope for redemption and reconciliation.

La’Terra was the first child to arrive at the Louisiana One Day with God camp. She was dressed from head to toe in the camp colors. She anxiously waited for registration to begin. Volunteers could not help but notice her excitement mounting. No one could have known what a special day this would be for her and her father.

La’Terra and her dad were inseparable all day. When it came time to leave, she ran back to give her father one last hug three times. She had a hard time letting go of him.

Two weeks later, Forgiven Ministry received a call from Rayburn Correctional that La’Terra had been killed while riding her bicycle. Her inmate father spoke at her funeral in shackles. He said, tearfully,

“I thank God for the day I spent with my daughter; and if you see her again, you will have to go to heaven.”

Louisiana volunteers attended the service and wore their One Day with God tee shirts. La’Terra got to spend one day with God and her earthly father; but now she is spending every day with her Heavenly Father.

My name is Tore Price and while I was incarcerated for 10 years I was able to attend 4 One Day With God Camp. My first one attended my son was 4 years old and he ran all over the place, but the time we enjoyed praising God, playing games, and eating was well worth chasing around the gym. One of the best parts of the Camp is what happens the day before. The Godly Dads workshop gave me more tools on how to interact with my son, his mother and my family. AIso the interaction and dialogue with other incarcerated fathers during the workshop allowed me to use their experience to assist with my son. We were able to share stories and help one another grow. The volunteers from many different organizations was there to give advice, listen, and pray for us all. The power of prayer and the humanity brought in by the volunteers made it a great start to the weekend.

We were able to participate 3 more years and as my son got older the camps became even more meaningful because he understood the connection with God. When he was 7 my son volunteered to give grace before we ate in front of 200 people. That was powerful, but it was the Iife he had for God and how comfortable he felt in front of all the volunteers.

This time we had together helped bring my son and I closer together. Visits are great, but
you can’t sing, dance play games, watch a magic show, or walk around the gym with him on my shoulders on a regular visits. The volunteers not only made my son feel comfortable, but more importantly his mother as she had to drop him off with complete strangers. That’s was not an easy task for his mother but it was the humanity of the the people involved with One Day With God that made it possible. This Camp was so powerful and helpful in building a better relationship with my son and
our relationship with God.

This camp should be made it available to all parents that are incarcerated. More lives should be able to be changed the way me and my sons have. We were blessed to do multiple One Day With God Camps.

Aaron Collier Campbell was a special child at our Wilkesboro NC Correctional One Day with God Camp.  Aaron was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a children’s bone cancer.  After chemo and surgery, he was able to ring the Bell at Brenner’s Children’s Hospital, but the cancer came back in his back, neck, pelvis and forehead. 

Through this journey with his loving momma, Aaron touched many hearts around the world.  Aaron went home to be with the Lord on the day after his 12th birthday on July 14, 2022.  His father was able to spend an entire day with Aaron at the ODWG Camp and then a visit to Brenner’s Hospital as well as a trip to the funeral home. 

Aaron and his father told me at the camp that they had a personal relationship with Jesus.  In a few short weeks, Aaron left a mark on our hearts for having known him and one day we will see Arron pain-free in Heaven.  

Pray for his father Chris and “Momma Cathy”.

The Friday seminar was almost over and it was time to pack the children’s gift bags.  As I walked to the back of the room, a tall lanky father with long thin black hair asked if I would come over to his table.  When I reached his table the man, with a worried look, asked….”Is my son really coming to the One Day with God Camp tomorrow?”

I assured him that the mother had confirmed his coming but I would call one more time to make sure.  Before I left the prison for the day, I called the mother of his child to learn that only one month before that day the father had learned that he had a son who was 8 years old.  He proceeded to have a blood test done to identify him as the father and the results were positive.

Now, God’s timing is so perfect. The fact that he had been selected to participate in the program made the meeting of a father and son so extraordinary.  I prayed with the father and encouraged him that God would make their meeting so special that all barriers would be broken when they met.   As his handsome young son stepped up to be introduced,  it was evident that he did not even know what his father looked like;  but with one look you could be sure that this boy belonged to the father.  I watched them all day and it was as if they had been together for years.  I left the camp with the assurance that God had reached, reconciled and began a relationship that would continue in the heart of a father and son.

 A Gift From God:

A very touching time at the Bell Unit ODWG camp in Texas was when the inmate servants prayed a speaker in and prayed a speaker out.  In the photo the servants are praying Alf, our strong man speaker in before he speaks to the fathers and the children. 

In the photo with their hands raised they are praying Alf out as he has finished sharing with the families. 

Jubilee Prison Ministry began this at their 3 day retreats for the inmates and we were so blessed to have these men share it with Forgiven Ministry.  A very touching photo as God is called upon to anoint His servant for the work ahead of him. leak the situation may seem, there is always hope for redemption and reconciliation.

This beautiful young lady had one wish when she turned 16 that her father could dance the first dance with her at the Quinceanera, a spiritual celebration. She had longed to be able to dance with her father for years and now it was time for the celebration.

Forgiven Ministry was able to get permission to video her and her father slow dancing together at the McConnell “One Day with God”. Her father handed her a beautiful rose and the dance began.  Tears were flowing from all the eyes that watched.  Little did we know that her father had a picture painted by an inmate of her in her gown and presented it to her after the dance.  God is so good and hears the heart cry of His children.