Prison Ministry Calling – From Addiction to Ministry

I felt a strong, powerful presence of the Lord, and he was calling me.

My name is Sandra Marie Kuzara and I am on a prison ministry calling journey. I have lived in the United States my entire life. I was raised as a Catholic and am now a Christian. I hold the values of the holiness of the Catholic church while following and serving Jesus’ calling as a Christian Ambassador. I am currently unemployed due to a recent disability. I hold an Associates degree in Business Administration and a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.

I belong to St. John the Baptist church in Alden, New York. I am a member of the Bible study group and attend services regularly.

My ultimate ministry dream is to minister in jails, institutions, and prisons. This is where I was called out of the darkness and into the light of the Lord. I experienced a powerful and compassionate calling to turn my destructive and chaotic life over to Jesus. Then, one day, there it was out of nowhere, Christian Leaders Institute, for free! How could I say no to the Lord? I was both compelled and curious to see where this would lead me. Now, after having taken and completed the first class of this new journey, I have been strengthened through gaining confidence and assurance that I am able and that all things are possible with the Lord.

I have never imagined that I would be pursuing a dream in ministry. It is strictly the Lord’s doing, not mine! Christian Leaders Institute has blessed me with the knowledge and tools necessary to carry on in serving God. If and when I am able, I will most certainly, with joy, gratefulness, and gladness pay it forward to allow others the same blessings and more.

As I mentioned earlier, Jesus pulled me out of the darkness and into his light. For 20 years, I had been a binge drinker experiencing frequent blackouts and participating in regular illicit drug use. As a result of my addiction and alcoholism, I participated in great sinful behaviors such as prostitution, theft, and indecent public behaviors. No matter how I tried, I could not free myself from the chains of Satan; the chains of addiction. I could not break free.

Then, due to a DWI charge (I was driving in circles on a neighbors lawn at 9 o’clock in the morning); I was arrested, released, and later sentenced to 1 month in jail. This was the best thing that could ever happen to me! I felt a strong, powerful presence of the Lord, and he was calling me. I began reading the Bible and attended mass while in jail. Upon my release, more than ever, I was drawn towards learning God’s word, prayer, and learning to walk in His ways. I also have built a strong personal relationship with Jesus that I cherish with all my heart. Not for one day since he called me have I been able to turn away. I have learned that everywhere I have failed in my life, He will prevail.

There are two prisons in my town. One is very large and one is very small. This provides a tremendous opportunity for me as my ministry dream is to serve the people in prisons.

Free ministry training at CLI is not only important to me but absolutely vital to my ministry dreams and goals. Without further learning and education, I will be unable to share the gospel of Christ to those who are lost as I once was. I desire to learn all there is to know regarding Christian Leaders Ministry through CLI so that I am a strong ambassador of God out in the pastures of Christ. CLI ministry classes will help further prepare me for God’s work.