In the midst of hardship, the power of the gospel is transforming lives behind prison walls. This is the testimony of three women, Patricia, María, and Marta, who recently made the decision to follow Christ.

"My life before meeting Christ was a mess. I lived a life of adultery, not making good decisions. Today I surrendered my life to the Lord, and I know He will forgive all my sins. I've noticed a huge change in my life and in my family," María shared.

"I used drugs, I was addicted, I wandered the streets aimlessly, and because of these decisions, I lost my entire family. It was painful," said Marta. "Today I'm taking a step of faith and giving my life to God. I feel happy about making this decision! I want to be with my daughter, my family, leave behind my old habits, and have a new life."

Patricia reflected on the significance of her baptism, "My baptism meant a lot. Today, I am a daughter of God. I belong to the family in heaven. Since I was little, my parents baptized me in the church, but today, as an adult, I have made a conscious decision to personally dedicate myself to Jesus."

Their testimonies reflect stories of spiritual freedom, stories of individuals transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and a decision to follow Christ with renewed purpose.

Decisions for Christ During Easter

Like Patricia, María, and Marta, many individuals across Paraguay made commitments for Christ during the Easter program Marcas de Cristo (Marks of Christ).

At the El Buen Pastor women’s penitentiary in Asunción, Alberto Pirelli, evangelism leader for the Adventist Church in Paraguay, along with district pastor Adalgiso Junior and spiritual support leader Henoc Carrillo, led a baptismal ceremony in which 13 women publicly dedicated their lives to Christ. Simultaneously, pastors Rafael Rossi and Gregorio Limenza participated in a parallel baptismal ceremony for eight men at Tacumbú prison, the main men’s penitentiary in Asunción.

After several months of Bible study, these 21 new believers accepted Christ as their Savior through baptism, committing to leave sin behind and follow biblical principles. Meanwhile, more than 60 inmates across Paraguay continue preparing for baptism through ongoing Bible studies.

Although some prisons lack proper facilities for worship or study, inmates faithfully gather under makeshift shelters, sitting on the floor with Bibles and study materials in hand to continue learning and growing in their faith.

The Impact of Prison Ministry

For years, Prison Ministry in Paraguay has worked to strengthen the spiritual lives of incarcerated individuals, offering hope, purpose, and transformation through the study of Scripture. The ministry is active in several penitentiaries, including El Buen Pastor, Tacumbú, Padre de la Vega National Penitentiary, and Emboscada Prison.

Henoc Carrillo, Prison Ministry coordinator for four penitentiaries in Asunción, leads Bible classes each week with more than 50 inmates using the course La Fe de Jesús (The Faith of Jesus).

"There were several initiatives to invite inmates to study the Bible," Carrillo explained. "During the 'Enough Silence' project, we held talks that sparked great interest. Afterward, many were encouraged to continue studying with us. Many had already had some contact with the faith. They know how to search for Bible texts, have read passages, and know Christian songs. However, at some point they strayed from the path of Jesus. What they need today is transformation—a change of life that can only be achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit. Knowledge is important, but the real challenge is the commitment to change and leave addictions behind."

Photo: Paraguay Union of Churches Mission

Photo: Paraguay Union of Churches Mission

Photo: Paraguay Union of Churches Mission

Photo: Paraguay Union of Churches Mission

Marks of Christ

The testimonies from El Buen Pastor and Tacumbú are just a few among many lives being transformed through Prison Ministry across Paraguay. The marks of pain and hardship are being replaced by the Marks of Christ—marks of new life, hope, and salvation for all who open their hearts to Jesus.

The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.