Amazing Grace

Jerry and Susie grew up in East Riverside, they met when they were just 9 and 11 years old. They began dating at a young age but kept it a secret from their parents. Jerry was a troubled teen and right after high school, he ended up in prison for home invasion. He was only out for 30 days before he was sent to prison for a second time, and the cycle continued after he was released. Jerry was in prison for a total of 7 years, but in the short time he was out, he kept his relationship with Susie, and she became pregnant the two times Jerry was released. The third time in prison, Jerry said he “wanted to forget about life outside”  so he stopped talking to his family, including Susie.

An inmate invited Jerry to a church service in the prison. He agreed to go but was hesitant. Jerry said the moment God spoke to him was when they played the song “Amazing Grace” because he said he felt the song was about him. “The song broke me! He loves a wretch like me?” Jerry said. After that night not much changed for Jerry until another inmate asked if he could pray with him; no one had ever prayed with him before so he agreed. After that prayer God started changing Jerry; he threw his pornography out and started reading his Bible. He saw God’s grace in the prison every day.

When Jerry was released he found Susie was addicted to speed and was lost. They started going to Harvest in Riverside and there someone asked Susie if they could pray for her and her family. At that moment Susie realized that they are a family, even though they were broken. “Everything we never knew we could have, God has given to us,” Susie said. God saved Jerry from ever going back to prison, and Susie from her addiction. They live a life that they never even thought was possible. They both have great jobs and four beautiful children.