b'Mark Bowen serves as the chief program officer at Jubilee Ministries. He holds an MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and an MA in pastoral counseling from Liberty University. He lives in central Pennsylvania with his lovely wife and beautiful daughters.God changed Michaels life through the gospel, and now He is using Michaels changed life to share that hope with others. Michaels storyarrested for a botched robbery the next day and M ichael Clancy experienced life changeincarcerated in county facility. Despite his sudden through the gospel of Jesus Christ, andarrest and terrible withdrawal symptoms, Michael God used Jubilee Ministries in thatknew God had answered his prayer. He began transformative work. attending church within the facility, heard the Growing up in a neighborhood on Philadelphiasgospel, and trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. north side, Michael struggled to understand who heMichael was sentenced to 2.5 years in state was after being abandoned by his biological fatherprison. There, he crossed paths with a Jubilee chap-and then abused by his first stepfather. While hislain serving in the facility. That relationship resulted mother cared for him as best she could, and hisin Michaels baptism and continued discipleship second stepfather showed him real love, Michaeluntil his release in 2003. Michael realized he had grew to be so painfully confused about his identitylearned much about how to follow Christ in prison that he sought to escape that inner conflict every but could he grow in that life on the outside? way he could. He escaped his home by spending allTo help that transition, Michael came to Jubilees day out with friends, and he escaped his thoughtsmens aftercare program. He found holistic help as by obliterating them with drugs.he rejoined the community and learned to apply By the early 2000s, Michaels life had so unrav- the whole gospel to his whole life. As he advanced eled that he was homeless and robbing people onthrough the program, his primary source of fellow-the streets of Philadelphia to supply his next heroinship shifted from Jubilee to his local church. A year hit. Then one night, desperate and hopeless, heafter completing aftercare, Michael stepped into a cried out to God: If youre real, save me! He wasstaff role at Jubilee to serve others as he had been served, and became even more involved in his local church. In fact, he went on to marry the pastors daughter in 2009 and take on the role of pastor in the church in 2012. Michael and his wife now have two daughters, and he continues to serve in his pastoral rolewhich includes teaching classes and mentoring individuals at Jubilee. Photo courtesy of Jubilee MinistriesGod changed Michaels life through the gospel, and now He is using Michaels changed life to share that hope with others. Michaels story is a wonderful illustration of Jubilees mission and vision fulfilled. Please pray that God would continue to bless Michael and his ministry! \x0316 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025'