I continued to correspond with the ROD Group member who encouraged me not to dwell on my problems but to get in a routine to know God and use my faith to change my life around. The ROD Group members even went to visit me in prison. That visit opened my eyes and I saw that God was also giving me an opportunity to start a new life. I wanted to be spiritually cleansed because I felt I was dirty.

I found myself changing every day. I gave up smoking and drinking - I know it’s easy for me to say that because I was in prison and those things were not available, but smoking was available in prison - in the cell I was in there was someone dealing. He would ask me if I needed a ‘spliff’ and I said, ‘No, I don’t’ because I didn’t need it anymore. The thing that woke me up was the second chance that I got.

I was released from prison in September 2007 on my first appeal. In the same week I left prison, I came to the UCKG and got baptised. I’ve never seen the UCKG church before but I’d heard about it so I had to see it. When I came in I wanted to be part of everything. I spoke to the pastor about all I went through. I started attending the meetings on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings.

What I found at the UCKG is the way it encourages you to use your intelligence and your faith to better yourself. The Desmond I am today is a new man - the old man I left in prison - I don’t need any of my former things and have now been working to restore my marriage. My life is a thousand times better, I’m high everyday on Christ - I don’t need any other stimulation! I call the ROD Group members who helped me my guardian angels because they were always there when I needed them. At that moment they were my link to God.

Desmond Carty,
Brixton

Life can be different if you take charge and decide to make things different. Speak to a spiritual counsellor at your local UCKG or call the 24 hour helpline on 020 7686 6000 now to help you get started.

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