A man who was unjustly convicted of murder and spent 24 years in prison has turned his life over to God and become a pastor.
Christian Today reports that Darryl Burton was sentenced to prison in
1985 for the murder of Donald Ball at a gas station in St. Louis.
However, after writing hundreds of letters to lawmakers and attorneys
who specialize in helping those who are wrongfully convicted, Burton was
exonerated and had his sentence overturned in 2008.
Before Burton’s conviction was overturned and he was released, God had some things to teach him.
"For the first 15 years or so I was just trying to do everything in my
own abilities,” shares Burton, who also said he grew up in church but
walked away from God as a teenager.
“Of course, I was really angry and upset and really frustrated about my
situation and being wrongfully imprisoned. I said, 'Well, I have tried
everything but God, what do I have to lose.' I just challenged Jesus —
'If you're real, show me. If you help me, I will serve you and tell the
world about you.'"
Burton said he doesn't blame God for his time in prison.
"I think God used the situation the same way with Joseph when Joseph
was thrown in the prison and treated by his brothers in a way that was
not right. I never blamed God," he said.
Burton added that it took a while for him to realize God was calling
him to ministry. Once he accepted that call, he enrolled in seminary and
is now the associate pastor of the 22,000-member Church of Resurrection
in Leawood, Kansas.
Photo courtesy: pixabay.com
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