An “Only God” Moment Brings a Prisoner to the GLS in Brazil

In a growing number of locations, the Global Leadership Summit is being taken to prisons where it is impacting the lives of thousands of inmates.

But on at least one occasion when the GLS could not go to the prisoners, a prisoner was able to come to the Summit.

And it was all because of an “only God” moment.

This prisoner is serving a 45-year sentence for several crimes including attempted murder. But from his prison, near Salvador, Brazil, God has been able to impact his life in a profound way.

Early on in his incarceration, he became a follower of Jesus Christ. And from that moment, everything changed.

“The change in him was incredible,” recalled Jesse Jane, a missionary to the prison. “He began to study his Bible and was able to start studying theology. He has been having a very positive impact on the culture inside the prison.”

But it was a particular moment earlier this year that God began to orchestrate something that only God could accomplish.

“I was visiting him one day, and I happened to mention that I was on the team helping with the Summit in Salvador,” said Gelson Oliveira, a lawyer who happened to be from the Summit host church nearby. “He was so interested in what I was saying. He kept saying, ‘Oh, I wish I could be there. I wish I could be there.”

The reason for the interest from this prisoner was because of how God was using him in the prison.

“As he has grown in his faith, he has been growing in his leadership as well,” Gelson continued. “He is considered to be one of the spiritual leaders in the prison. He now leads a small church with more than 20 other prisoners in his congregation. I told him I would make an inquiry on his behalf to see if he could attend the Summit, but I didn’t think there was much hope.”

Only six years into a 45-year prison sentence made it unlikely he would be allowed to leave the prison for two days to attend a Christian leadership conference.

Gleson Oliveira made an official application through the courts to have day parole granted. As part of the application, a letter was written by the pastor of the Summit host church, welcoming him to attend the Summit at their location.

“When I presented the application it became apparent that God was already involved,” continued the lawyer. “The judge interrupted me as I spoke and she said, ‘I know the church where the Summit is being held. They make a positive contribution to the people of Salvador. And I have heard of the impact of this prisoner in the penitentiary. Why wouldn’t I want him to experience this event? Day parole is granted.”

And so, for the first time in six years of incarceration, on Thursday, October 28, 2016, this prisoner emerged from the walls of his prison and attended the Summit in Salvador, Brazil. Sitting in the back row of the church, with heavily armed guards sitting on either side of him, he joined in worship with tremendous enthusiasm. As the sessions got underway, he studiously took notes filled his heart and mind with leadership insights.

“This Summit experience will have a profound impact on his leadership, and it will make a difference to the church he leads in the prison,” continued Jesse Jane. “I am not sure I had the faith to believe this could happen. But it did.”

Only God.

Scott Cochrane serves as the vice president of International at Willow Creek Association. An insightful and genuine leader, he travels the globe mentoring international teams. Prior to joining WCA, he was the executive pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna, British Columbia and provided leadership to the WCA Canada.