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Free At Last!!! 6/29/25 Joshua Drucker
Several people have been asking me when was I going to write again.
My answer has always been the same, “I don't know”.
I told myself that I didn't want to write just because “people” wanted me to write. Nor did I want to write to stay relevant.
I've written in the past for both of those reasons before and I purposed in my heart not to take that route ever again. I want to write for the glory of God and because I actually had something to say.
I pen these words from the most violent prison in the state of Georgia. It's mid May 2025 and I am on my bunk bed with a fan blowing on me as I endure the summer heat here in Georgia.
Almost daily men are dying at this prison from stabbings, suicide and drug overdose. This prison led the state in murders in 2024. To say this is a “murder camp” is a understatement. But…that's not the point of this message.
It was October 2011 when the state convicted me of murder, gave me 2 death sentences and sent me to Georgia's death row to be executed. For the next 7.5 years I stayed on my face before God as I awaited a miracle. A miracle DID come in November 2018. I entered the same court room and faced the Judge that gave me 2 death sentences. And on that cold November day, by the grace of God I handed those 2 death sentences back to him. A week later I was walking out of death row.
It seems weird sometimes to think that I was actually on death row. It seems like a different lifetime ago. I was kept in a cell by myself, closed off from other inmates and guards as a condemned man. I still remember pacing the floors of my cell as I prayed, meditated and confessed scriptures over my life. Did I ever think I would be executed? At times I did. I'm not going to lie. But I still had hope.
Romans 4:18 (KJV 1900)
18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
When I was released from death row I was sent to Hays state prison to serve a “life sentence”. I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. My faith was at an all time high and I felt like I was going to eventually be one of those success stories plastered all over the news.
I entered my new prison with a desire to tell everyone about my death row testimony. And I DID. I told everyone I came in contact with. I thought God was going to use me single handedly to change the prison system. I was given one of the best jobs at the prison, and I could literally walk around that place like I owned it. At that time in my life I could only compare myself to the biblical character Joseph.
Genesis 39:20–23 (KJV 1900)
20And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
21But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.
However, after about a year with no fruit to show with my testimony, I became discouraged. It was around this time that I stopped writing sermons and defeat began to sink in. I began to question myself, question God and wonder if my story was over.
It wasn't too long after this that I stopped talking about God and what he had done for me. Kinks began to form in my armor, and before too long no one could tell the difference between me and other inmates. I was acting JUST LIKE the world.
Many days I would walk around with my head down thinking “how did I get this low? How did I lose the drive after such a great deliverance from death row?” It just didn't make sense.
Psalm 78:9–11 (KJV 1900)
9The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle.
10They kept not the covenant of God, And refused to walk in his law;
11And forgat his works, And his wonders that he had shewed them.
On my birthday, August 1st, 2024 I was shipped here to Macon State Prison. I thought FOR SURE this was the judgment of God. I had been hearing war stories the preceding months before I was transferred here about this prison. I thought this was my wilderness, my abyss, or like my father would say, “my Patmos” for being such a horrible person, great sinner and failing to be a success after God delivered me from death row.
When I walked into this prison I landed in the best dormitory here. A place of respect, safety, and clear away from “gang land” dormitories. I left a prison that was filled with drugs, violence and gangs. Rarely did I have a chance to rest and breathe.
Since arriving here ten months ago I have been able to relax, read my Bible, fast and pray. I feel a new energy and a desire to write again. For the past few years I had been thinking that maybe the “cloud” had moved and left me behind. But I just now realized that the cloud hadn't moved. It had been above me the entire time. But now it is moving, and I'm moving with it.
My life paints a picture of God's mercy. I'd rather use the word mercy instead of grace, because this new generation church has distorted and destroyed the word grace in its truthful context, and it would take me 10 sermons to explain grace in its true context. So I'm going to use the word mercy.
I have decided if I am going to write, then I am going to write apologetically. If I am going to write again, then I am going to write “off script”, at times unpolished, and other times unfiltered, BUT…it will be truth.
It's time that the last day church “come out” from this lukewarm, watered down, dead and deceptive Gospel that is being delivered and began to give our entire hearts back to Jesus again. It's time that we stop heaping up teachers to “tickle our ears” and prophecy “smooth things”, but instead turn back to the pure milk of the word. It's time that we return to our “first love”. Truth has “fallen in the streets” and unless this generation wakes up, it may never awake.
I feel on fire for the Lord. My prayer is that I can pass this fire onto you. Please keep me in your prayers.
JD
God Bless You,
Pastor Doug
Please feel free to contact me anytime at DOUGGHC@AOL.COM, or by phone:
404-295-5644 or
CHURCH ADDRESS:
70 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA. 30253
Your tithes and offerings are greatly appreciated and much needed and can be sent to the above CHURCH ADDRESS or by accessing our website:
WWW.GOSPELOUTREACHCHURCH.COM
gospel outreach church
Some are unable to physically attend a local church any more. Some do not care to. Some people cannot find a Chu...
and/or via pay pal or cash app $GOCHURCH71
Thank You and God Bless You!!!
Pastor Doug
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