- Jonathan
- Praying
- Host Omar Morillo
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TV Programming
Vida Dura Introduces a Dangerous Man to Jesus
By Christine Habrle
CBN
CBN.com – EL SALVADOR - Self made tough guy Jonathan Samoya suddenly faced more danger than he ever had leading gangs on the streets of nine El Salvadorian cities.
“I thought, ‘I’m finished, everything has fallen apart,’” Jonathan says.
But God used the CBN TV program Vida Dura to help Jonathan survive life inside a dangerous prison. Jonathan watched his fellow prisoners kill 12 people. The last one lived in the cell right next to him. He couldn’t help but panic.
“At night I cried—the strong man crying,” Jonathan recalls. “But there isn’t a man in prison who hasn’t cried.”
He says he found hope one day while watching Vida Dura.
“I watched the testimony of a gangster in New York, which was similar to my life. And he said, ‘I thought no one could rescue me. Jesus Christ changed me and He can change you.’”
Guards play other CBN programs at the prison too. In addition, CBN staff visit often to tell the inmates about Jesus. The day Jonathan saw the gangster testimony a staff member observed how much it affected him, and asked a question that would change Jonathan’s life.
“He asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus as my Savior. I knew it was a huge decision. My heart was practically jumping out of my body. I answered ‘yes’ and we prayed,” describes Jonathan.
At that moment Jonathan became a new man.
“The bad guy died. The violent murderer disappeared. I was born again. I am a new creation in Jesus Christ. If I had not seen Vida Dura, I wouldn’t be here talking,” he says.
It has been almost three years since Jonathan accepted Jesus. He now serves the Lord by playing the keyboard for the prison worship group. He’s most thankful to God for transforming his life, but he also wants to express his gratitude to the man who made Vida Dura possible.
“I want to thank Brother Pat Robertson. I may never meet him here, but one day I will see him in Heaven,” declares Jonathan. “I am the product of men like him, who aren’t afraid to bring us the Word of God—even in prison. Thank you very much.”
When you give to CBN you help fund TV programs like Vida Dura. Through them people like Jonathan learn about Jesus and develop a closer relationship with Him. If you are not yet involved, please join us in bringing a message of hope to people throughout the world. Become a partner today!
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