A Transformed Life
Meet Don & Sallie Saxon. Sallie was sentenced to two years in a Federal Prison in Lexington, Kentucky. Before going to prison, she spent three months in Charlotte Mecklenburg County jail. Don and Sallie came in contact with First Baptist Church through the Jail Ministry. The way Sallie found out about FBC was through Sharon, a long time volunteer in the FBC Jail Ministry. Sharon taught the Sunday class for pod 4900. Sallie said, “I was locked down 18 hrs out of 24 hrs, so I cannot tell you how I looked forward to Sundays and Sharon’s lessons. Sharon and I connected.
Sallie stayed in Charlotte Mecklenburg County Jail for 3 long months. According to the Saxon’s, FBC has been their church home ever since this first contact with the Jail Ministry.
“I was released on Federal probation March 1, 2010 and Don April 2, 2010. We currently live in a small apartment in Matthews, N.C. Don and I are active members of First Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C. First Baptist Church continues to embrace us with unconditional love, acceptance and discipleship. We are eternally grateful for our church family and their powerful jail ministry..”
Deliverance and Transformation by the Mighty Hand of God
Turning point for Sallie: “At the end of self, broken, crushed and ready to commit suicide, I desperately cried out in anger and anguish asking God,"’Where are you?’"God answered,"’I am here. ’" He carried me from bondage, dried my tears and spoke words of comfort. He offered me hope. While dying to my ambitions and self, I repented, accepted and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior.”
What the Devil means for bad, God can use for good. Jesus has used Sallie’s life experiences to create a very effective ministry to the pain and suffering of ladies considering abortion. Sallie had a friend with her at church one recent Sunday. The friend had a newborn baby in her arms. That baby had been scheduled for an abortion until someone shared the love of Christ with her mother.
Some of Sallie’s favorite verses
"The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer" Psalm 6:9
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit..." Psalm 40:2
"A new command I give you: Love one another.As I have loved you, so you
must love one another." John 13:34
"Seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you seek Him with all your
heart,soul and life." Deuteronomy 4:29