BREAK OUT. A Criminal s Journey to Eternal Freedom. Jed Lindstrom with Larry J. Leech II

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2 BREAK OUT A Criminal s Journey to Eternal Freedom Jed Lindstrom with Larry J. Leech II

3 Chapter 1 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NLT) My New Life The man approached our tent with hesitation in his steps. I ve seen that walk before. One step carries hope, the other uncertainty. He stopped a few feet away and surveyed his surroundings. Sitting by the entrance, I could tell he wanted to come in. But something held him back. I knew that feeling too. You re afraid life will never be the same if you come in. If you don t, you regret that decision. I stepped from the comfort of our tent into the heat with a cold bottle of water in my hand. Thirsty? I said over the sound of a car zipping by on North Ridgewood Avenue in Daytona Beach, Florida. 1

4 Break Out He looked in my direction, still not sure what to do. He ran a dirty hand through greasy hair. Mighty hot out here today. Unusual for this time of the year, I said. Yeah, it is. He smelled like water and a bar of soap were his worst enemies. I handed him the bottle. Shouldn t be this hot in February. Not much we can do about it, though. It is what it is. He twisted off the cap and took a sip. So what brings you to this part of town? He looked around before answering, like he was unsure that he should tell me. I ve been camping with a buddy of mine. He gestured toward the direction from which he had come. We ve been drinking and doing drugs for the last two days. He s passed out right now. I needed to get away. I nodded, thinking been there, done that, and he continued. I m tired of being hung over and strung out. I m sick of it. The booze, the drugs, the women. All of it. He took another sip. So I decided to take a walk and here I am. He dragged the toe of his boot on the sidewalk. Well, I m glad you stopped by. You re welcome to come inside if you want. This heat is a bit much. A loud motorcycle drowned out my last few words. His eyes widened. Did you say you re the heat? No, I said, chuckling and laying a hand on his shoulder. I m not the heat. It s hot out here. Let s go inside and chat. He eyed the banner across the top of our tent. I ve heard of you guys. You guys help people, right? You can call it that. We just love on people and share the gospel of Christ. He nodded, but stood fast in his spot. A local delivery truck chugged by, the driver grinding a gear trying to stop at the light nearby. I ve heard about your Jesus. But I m not sure what to make of him. This time the man took a long drink, almost finishing the bottle. I ve done too much stuff for him to even care about me. Oh, I m not so sure about that, I said. When I used, I felt that way too. That no way Jesus could love me because of my multitude of sins. I m glad I was wrong. You have no idea what I ve done in my life. He scoffed. You? You probably grew up in the church. One of them holy rollers all your life. That s the furthest thing from the truth. My New Life 2 3

5 Break Out Look at you. How could you ever understand what I ve been through? You re all cleaned up. With a world class smile. Nice clothes and shoes. I understood why the nice clothes and shoes stood out to this guy. We both wore jeans, although his were covered with patches of grease and dirt. We both wore T-shirts. His promoted a popular motorcycle brand. Mine was plain white. He wore a beat up pair of cowboy boots while I wore somewhat new sneakers. God cleans us up when we turn our life over to him, no matter how dirty we are. He gave me a look a suspicious bloodshot squint with the lips pursed that I ve seen numerous times over the years since giving up drugs and alcohol for a life dedicated to Jesus Christ. I probably gave that same look to people back in the day when I lived on a steady diet of drugs and crime. What do you know about Jesus cleaning you up? You can t know what it s like to be hooked on drugs or alcohol. Why don t we step inside and I ll share my story with you. I motioned toward the tent. I bet you ll be surprised. He looked at his empty bottle and agreed. We stepped inside and he asked for more water. I reached into the cooler near the entrance, pulled a cold one from the ice, and handed it to him. When he finished chugging that one down, I guided him to a pair of metal chairs off to the side, away from everyone else. Before we reached the seats, he asked, You were messed up on alcohol? Drugs too. I took the seat on the left so I could keep my eye on the entrance. He flipped the other chair around and leaned on the back. I just don t picture you being a user. My New Life Well, I said, leaning forward and putting my elbows on my knees, let me tell you my story and you can decide for yourself. 4 5

6 Break Out Lets Go Ministry founder and director, evangelist Jed Lindstrom, is best known for his creativity and boldness while ministering the gospel in some of the darkest places of the world. The vision of Lets Go Ministry to take the gospel to the No-Go Places was given to Jed in Since that time, he has ministered in more than fifty cities in twenty-six states and in four countries. Jed and his wife Erica live in Daytona Beach Florida, with their three children Rosella, Annabelle and Lydia. Pre-order book now at discounted rate $5. Book will release Oct. 13, Check website often for new content and giveaways. 6

7 By age fifteen, Jed Lindstrom had more money running through his hands than most kids his age, but it was all dirty money. He stole. He dealt drugs. He loved the lifestyle and all its perks. But something nibbled at the edge of his mind. Jed ignored those thoughts while he sold more drugs, got high more often, and drank more alcohol. Until October 11, That night he sat in a jail cell during one of the worst times of his life. That s when he surrendered his life to Jesus. Break Out is the story of how Jed left behind the unfulfilling life of drugs and crime to become a bold evangelist. As Founder and Director of Lets Go Ministry, he mobilizes churches and ministries all over the world, and preaches in prisons, on the streets, and in drug rehab facilities. Jed s conversion proves there is hope for those who are mired in the darkest torment of drug and alcohol addiction. And that hope lies in Jesus Christ. Pre-Order Today