29/07/2026
🚨Reminder- the 2020 election was stolen. The left activated a plan for J6 and arrested close to 1600 people. Among these people were many Christians whom God used to bring grace to the prison. Such is the story of Joe Thomas in our series:J6ers Under Persecution: Spiritual Journeys
Christ in Prison
I’m a husband, father of four, veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, baptized believer in Christ, and preacher of His word. Yet, amidst all that I’m also a patriotic American. I swore an oath to honor the Constitution. Because of the stolen 2020 election I felt called by God to participate in the peaceful protest at the Capitol on Jan 6, 2021. I never entered the building, nor was I violent, yet my family suffered for years under the full weight of the federal government. After my arrest by the FBI counterterrorism SWAT team, subsequent trials, multiple indictments, 12 federal charges, and the threat of a potential thirty year sentence, I felt called by God to fight. After a three week trial, I stood battered but vindicated, having beat the majority of the accusation raised against me. Despite my innocence and decimation of my fundamental rights throughout the entire process, I was sentenced to 5 years, including punishments for charges of which I was found not guilty. Yes, you read that correctly.
God showed His handy work through the whole process in ways that would take countless more articles to detail. Yet, throughout the 3 year battle that led to the day I reported to the front prison gate of FCI Memphis, I felt called by God to stand thankful to serve Him through struggle.
Walking into prison I paused to pray for God’s guidance and protection. I surrendered with a peace in my heart that I can’t honestly describe, but it felt as though my work was just beginning. Walking into isolation, willingly listening to the small soft voice in my heart, I knew God was walking into the lion’s den with me.
After the typical adjustment time to prison life, as a political prisoner, I became involved in the prison Chapel. I helped establish Bible studies, prayer circles within the prison housing units, and became known as a “man of God” by many of the inmates, including gangs, cartels, and the like. Despite how prisons normally operate, divisions among race and gang affiliation, I was welcomed and respected by most of them.
God, through the Holy Spirit, would bring me men who were curious about “this Jesus thing.” I spent countless hours ministering and witnessing to the men society had written off. They found hope in His grace. Many of those I spoke with would later go to church and dive into their faith. However, some who wanted to find their path toward Christ were prohibited by their particular cartel’s rules. They couldn’t go to the chapel because people their gang don’t want to associate with will also be in attendance. They are even threatened with bodily harm if they go to the church.
This was a roadblock that God surpassed majestically. One particular instance involved a young man in prison for m**h. He belonged to a Mexican gang that prohibited church attendance. He feared getting beaten by his gang if he came to church. During a private Bible study I asked him, “Christ took the cross, death, and rose again in victory, for you. Are you willing to take a beating for him?” This resonated deeply, along with the fear he felt. I offered to speak with his gang leader, despite the potential danger of violence against me.
During our meeting I was flatly refused. The leader gave no leeway for the growth of his people. I walked away praying, feeling defeated. A couple days later, 2 members of his gang cornered me saying, “God’s going to get you killed here.” They stood there defiant, one holding a makeshift knife inside his prison shorts. I responded by producing a padlock into my hand, “Which of you are gonna meet Him with me?” My readiness to defend myself immediately changed the atmosphere. The situation diffused and they went on their way.
The following Sunday I preached a sermon at the chapel. Sitting in the congregation was the original gang member I was speaking to and his gang’s leader. Despite the blatant refusal, the Holy Spirit changed their heart, and there they sat. They returned weekly. After a while I was given the privilege to baptize the original gang member I spoke with. Victory in Jesus!
Yet, the Spirit wasn’t finished. After a month of Bible studies and casual conversations regarding faith and the Bible, a new seed began to grow. The gang member that cornered me with the shank began asking questions about Christ. Inviting him to church, he eventually took up my offer. Again, that Sunday I preached. He listened, smiling, but unaffected. Then, as I sat next to him, we listened to the message brought forward by the prison Chaplin. The message highlighted St. Paul and how he went from being the one killing Christians for their faith to becoming an important pillar in the faith itself. The Spirit moved the hardened heart of the man next to me and I saw a single tear streak down his cheek. We left the chapel and returned to our cells in silence, solemn.
Unfortunately, the prison put us through a series of lockdowns over the next couple weeks; such is prison life. However, when moments arose I took the opportunity to touch base with those seeking salvation. My knife wielding friend sought answers, actively seeking his place in Christ, and its meaning.
After about two months of growth and searching he gave his life to faith, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. The following month I, again, was privileged to participate in his baptism. Victory in Jesus, indeed!
The hand of God worked mightily across that prison compound for the entire year that I was incarcerated unlawfully. I am humbled that God decided to use me within the belly of the beast, but I truly did nothing except observe how the Spirit moved mountains. During the year I was incarcerated, before being pardoned by the President, and subsequently released, I served as best I could and participated in over a dozen baptisms, bringing hardened criminals, gang members, and people whom society threw away, to Christ and the peace of His salvation.
Yet, this story of redemption speaks to us all. No matter what you’ve done, or how far one has fallen, Jesus provides the way for you to find redemption; a piece that only He can provide. When my efforts seemed to fail, the Spirit brought them into fruition, as those who blindly refused ultimately joined the body of Christ. Then, the one who threatened to kill me for my faith ended up being the one who would knock on my cell door when the chapel would open, asking if I was going to join him.
This is truly a modern day reflection of Paul’s story. There is always a path forward despite the rocky road behind you. When I walked into the prison Gates my first day I was reminded of 1 Peter 3:14-15, “ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
Despite the danger, despite my current situation, despite my own fears, family, and concerns, I chose to listen to what God asked of me. I followed as best I could in my own flawed imperfect way and I was blessed to witness the work of the Spirit. Sharing the gospel within the belly of the beast, surrounded by evil, and staring demons in the face, was an experience that has forever changed me. However, more importantly, I am able to testify that God, in His infinite love, mercy, and grace, forever changed the lives of many men who lost sight of hope.
If you want to know the hope that Christ can bring to your life please reach out to your local Christian, read the scriptures and pray for the Holy Spirit to bring you before the Almighty. You are loved, just as you are. Christ took the price of sin upon Himself so that you can stand with righteousness when your day comes. Don’t pass up the chance to truly answer the calling in your heart for the peace He offers freely.
Joseph “Pi” Thomas is the founder of Book of Life ministries and can be found here:
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Feel free to reach out to Pi with your questions of faith and requests for prayer at:
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An Independent Christian Family Ministry https://www.paypal.me/bookoflife
