By Mark Hawkins
| Editors Note: New Light Ministries
continually receives letters and e-mail messages from individuals whose lives
have been impacted -usually in a negative way - by the Watchtower Society.
One group that we especially sympathize with are the children whose parents
are Witnesses. Some of these children eventually leave the organization and
become Christians, but they often continue to struggle with feelings of guilt
(for leaving what they have always been told was God's true organization)
or feelings of inadequacy (because they have never understood just how much
God loves them). The result (and consequences) of these struggles can be
tragic.
One individual who was raised in a JW family was Mark Hawkins. Mark grew up near Douglasville, Georgia and eventually became a Christian, despite the fact that his parents ridiculed him and would not allow him to bring Christian literature into their home. We came to admire this young man who graduated from high school and made plans to attend a Christian Bible College. But as quickly as Mark had come into our lives, he disappeared. Several years passed until finally, just a few months ago, we received message through our daughter Debbie that Mark was in prison. Mark is now 21 years old, and we have learned that he was re-baptized by the prison chaplain after re-dedicating his life to God. We have also learned that Mark's mother has left the Watchtower Society and has become a Christian. His father is still a Jehovah's Witness, and is divorcing Mark's mother because she left the organization. We look forward to being with Mark again and pray for an early release for him from prison. Below is Mark's story in his own words. |
My name is Mark Hawkins, and I am 21 years old. I share this story with you in hopes that it might help and encourage someone who reads it.
Four years ago, at the age of 17, I entered college at the World Evangelism Bible College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I had attended college for about six or seven months when I began to experiment with alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines, and other drugs. You name the drug, and I was probably on it. Before I reached my 18th birthday, I was partying every night, drinking, and doing drugs until I could barely breathe. I just quit caring about myself. More importantly, however, I turned my back on Jesus.
My grades began to drop in all my classes, and within a year I was expelled from school because of all my partying and poor grades. I had become a disgrace to myself and to my school peers. I returned to Georgia with only 3 weeks remaining until my 19th birthday. Simply put, I was a wreck. I had to stay with my parents because I didn't have any other place to go. I didn't have a job, I didn't have any money, and I fought with my parents constantly. Unfortunately, I kept on partying and my habit became worse. I was out of control.
I moved in with some friends in February 1998. I was working but I spent every dime on drugs and alcohol. By this time, I had stolen cars, robbed houses, and even robbed churches. In June 1998, I was arrested and charged with seven major felonies (two which were included as part of Georgia's seven "deadly sins"). I spent my 21st birthday in jail and faced six life sentences plus 20 years. I thought my life was over. I attempted suicide three times in the first month I was in jail.
About four or five months ago I received a letter from a very special person (Debbie Oakley). The letter started with, "You don't know me but…" However, I did know her mom and dad from my past experience when I had started searching for the truth about God. I called Debbie and, among other things, we discussed her parents. When I hung up the phone, I went to my cell, and with my head buried in my pillow, I began to do something I hadn't done in almost 4 years. I began to cry and then to pray. I opened my Bible, and the first thing I read was the following verse: "Now abides faith, hope, and love, these three: but the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13: 13) I was fortunate that all of the charges against me were reduced to one charge, and I was sentenced to serve only 3 years for my crimes. God definitely has His way with my life.
Looking back, I really thought I could just keep partying and doing drugs. I won't deny that I loved it. But if you break the law enough, it will eventually catch up with you. Life in prison is hard and lonely. You see things a person should never have to see. I've seen men take their own lives, and people get beaten to almost the point of death before a guard can stop a fight. The truth is that God never intended for me to be here. I put myself here. And if you're doing things that are illegal and ignoring God's plan for your life, you may also end up in prison. God loves us, and He is our Master and protector. Believe me, life with Jesus is a lot better than life without Him.
I hope I have been of some help. I pray constantly that maybe just one person will listen. Don't follow the path I've taken. As nice as drugs and alcohol may seem at first, they lead to a disastrous end. Please, for your own sake, keep praying, keep studying, and for God's sake and in the name of Christ, obey the law and stay out of trouble.