Addiction to crack cocaine. Anger. Resentment. These were Anthony’s real prison. But, while serving a 35 year sentence for dealing drugs, God set him free. Anthony believed he would die in prison. He described the challenges that prisoners face in trying to to avoid being noticed or singled out. He feared being killed. Or he believed that in order to survive he would eventually need to kill—which would extend his sentence to life. Either way, it looked to him like his life would end within those prison walls. God had different plans. “Having tried everything else” he decided to ask to be moved to the Christian dorm within the prison. It was there that God was preparing to teach him about forgiveness; the need be forgiven and the need to forgive. All prisoners expect to be tested by someone at some point of their internment. Anthony’s inevitable test came shortly after moving into the Christian dorms. “Someone in the prison really disrespected me” is how Anthony describes it today. In prison, this was a defining moment. Was Anthony soft? Was he an easy target? Everything in him wanted to exact revenge. He describes his ensuing prayer encounter with God. “But God! That man disrespected me! He challenged me!” he heard God say, “Forgive him. Forgive him the same way I have forgiven you.” It was clear. What this man had done is what Anthony had been doing to God his whole life. This cycle of anger-revenge-anger was keeping Anthony in bondage. It was time to experience God’s acceptance and forgiveness and become free of the bitterness that was destroying his life. In 2001, Anthony was released from prison and with his new found relationship with God he set out to live a life without drugs. He admits it wasn’t the easy road and he had some ups and downs along the way. But, he got wise about who he associated with. And he refused to pursue the easy money of dealing drugs, instead the ex-con worked hard to earn a basic wage. He began to settle into his new life on the outside. He saved up some money and was intending on buying himself a simple boat to enjoy some fishing. But, once again, God had something else in mind. Out at his fishing spot, he sensed God speaking to him. “Do you think I brought you through all of this to go fishing? No. I brought you through all of this so you could help the other trapped brothers and sisters.” Instead of buying a boat, Anthony invested everything he had saved to buy a basic music system and hit the streets. It’s dangerous work—yet he faithfully follows God each week serving in the same neighborhoods where he used to deal drugs. Anyone else would be considered an outsider and a threat. But, God has honored his courage and commitment and has earned the trust of the people—even the drug dealers and gangs. He set up his initial outreach right across the street from where gangs and rough crowds would regularly gather. As the weeks passed, working with police the gangs eventually moved from that place. Anthony's day job to meet his own financial needs is with our company, Spraggins Builder Services. Any donations he receives go directly to running the ministry.
Early in his service, a church in the area gave their Christmas offering of $6,700 to "Finding the Lost Sheep Ministry", which he used to by a stage, a van, and a 20’ x 40’ tent—vital tools for his passion of “taking the church to the streets.” (Anthony was sure to mention God’s faithfulness to the church that gave the generous gift. Shortly after, someone had given that church a gift for $60,000.) “You can’t out-give God! He blesses generosity.”
“I was in formation in the prison yard. As I walked, I looked up and saw the barbed wire fences. I noticed the guard-towers and the guards with their high-powered rifles. I knew I was in prison. But, it was the most free I had ever felt in my life.” 
Anthony preaches regularly at various churches in the area and also teaches a class “On Purpose Soul Winning”—hoping to train others in sharing Christ. He regularly distributes food and clothing to the needy and widows. You can email Anthony at findingthelostsheep@yahoo.com.
Anthony's story is so encouraging, and challenging too. What a great picture of God using the unique circumstances and choices in the a person's past not only to draw them to Himself, but to affect that person's world as well. After reading this post last week, I was thrilled to read a positive article about Anthony in today's Orlando Sentinel . You can find in on page D3 of the May 19 newspaper, or online at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/preacher
Posted by: Ann | May 19, 2007 at 03:43 PM