My story

The Journey of a Strong Spirit


I was born on April 19, 1982, in sunny Miami, Florida. My birth parents struggled with addiction to crack and heroin, so I entered the world surrounded by pain and chaos. But God had a plan. I was taken in by the Alexander family, who raised me with love and introduced me to the teachings of the Pentecostal church.


Even though I was surrounded by faith, I faced deep hurt early on. Someone I trusted in the church betrayed me, leaving emotional wounds that stayed with me for years.


Growing up, I felt torn between two worlds. My adoptive family taught me to live right, but my biological roots pulled me toward trouble. That inner conflict led me down a rough path. I got into fights, broke the law, and ended up in and out of juvenile detention. By the time I was sixteen, I was sentenced as an adult and sent to prison.


Prison became the place where everything changed. One day during a chapel service, I heard a message about fearing God. Something powerful happened—I felt God’s presence so strongly that it broke through my pain and gave me a fresh start.


In my cell, I turned to learning. I earned doctorates in metaphysics and divinity. I started writing to encourage others behind bars, and people began calling me “The Encourager.”


On March 8, 2014, I was released—not just from prison, but from the person I used to be. I moved to Indianapolis and found a new home at the Jesus House, where I grew stronger in faith and purpose.


Today, I’m a husband, a father, a business owner, and the founder of Encourager TV LLC. My voice, once silenced by struggle, now speaks life and hope. I live to uplift others and share the good news of the gospel.


My story proves one thing: It doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is where you finish.

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