For many people, prison is a recurring cycle, or worse, the end of the line. Not so for many inmates who find spiritual freedom in faith-based dorms. Dana Clah was one who found such freedom with the help of the Lord, IBLP staff and volunteers, and the materials that helped her understand how to follow Christ and His commands. Dana writes, “IBLP was there for me when I needed to hear God the most.” Dana was already a believer, but she needed to learn how to let God live His life through her instead of her trying to do so in her own strength. While she was incarcerated, she lived in an IBLP faith-based dorm. Dana shares that “I could hear God speaking to my spirit and renewing my strength. I could let go of guilt and shame of the things I got involved in.” She continues that “I now spend my first fruits in the [morning] with God [and] listen to the Bible CDs at night.”

Breaking the Cycle: How Dana’s Ministry Is Making a Difference

After graduating from the faith-based program and being released from prison, Dana wanted to give life-changing opportunities to others facing similar situations. She started her own non-profit ministry and began an outreach to inmates at a county jail. Currently, Dana helps approximately forty inmates.

Dana expressed gratefulness for what she learned from the IBLP materials. Now she uses The Life Series, the Commands of Christ series and other IBLP curricula, as well as other Christian materials in her prison outreach. Often, she hears from judges and attorneys, who make comments such as, “I don’t know what you are doing with these inmates, Dana, but keep doing it.” The county bar association honored her with an award for her work helping the inmates.

A key to walking with the Lord and helping others to do the same comes from a truth Dana expressed from her heart. “Now I am back up and allowing Christ to live in me and through me, not of self anymore, but Him.” She writes to IBLP, “Thank you all for being there in my darkest hours. I sincerely love you all and pray for you.”

Inmates Express Their Gratitude: Testimonies of Transformation

Inmates in her dorm recently mailed IBLP a thank you card with all their signatures in appreciation for The Life Series. We also received these written testimonies:

I am grateful for Ms. Dana bringing in the Commands of Christ and other material from IBLP. I feel like I received a second chance at life and now I have meaning and purpose. With these tools I can make wise decisions on the outside and follow the character of Christ. Thank you. 

Another inmate writes:

I love the Character definitions. I was never taught to be observant, aware of my surroundings, or even [be] thoughtful of another person. So now I can support my brothers in Christ in my [faith-based] dorm and support my family with the character of Christ when I go home. THANK YOU. I am grateful for Ms. Dana to have gone through her trauma [mistakes, incarceration, and finding freedom] so we can learn from Christ in her. One day I want to help her when I get out and serve alongside her. Our dorm prays for IBLP. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Living the Great Commission

Dana Clah’s inspiring journey from inmate to ministry leader showcases the transformative power of God’s love and His Word. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the Great Commission and encourages us to share the hope we have with others around us who desperately need it.