My name is Mateo, and I was once a feared leader of the MS-13 gang in San Salvador, El Salvador. For years, I lived a life filled with violence, drugs, and darkness. I thought power and respect came from fear and brutality, and I fed on the chaos. Our gang ruled the streets of San Salvador, and I felt invincible.
But in the early months of 2025, my world came crashing down. I was arrested in a massive operation by the police. I found myself in a cold, grim cell in Mariona Prison. At first, I felt only anger and betrayal. I had lost my freedom, the respect of my fellow gang members, and I felt more alone than ever.
Yet, it was in this dark place that I encountered the light of Jesus Christ. One of the inmates, a man named Carlos, shared his Bible with me. He had a peace about him that I couldn't understand. "Mateo," he said to me, "Jesus can give you a new life, a life that is full of hope and peace."
Skeptical but with nothing to lose, I started to read the Bible, beginning with the Gospel of John. I was drawn to the words of Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." One night, overcome with emotion, I fell to my knees in that dimly lit cell and prayed for the first time in my life, "Jesus, if you are real, save me from this life. Make me new."
I cannot explain it, but a warmth flooded over me, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Over the next few months, I joined a small Bible study group within the prison. We would gather in the recreation area, and I witnessed miracles of heart transformations every day. I realized I was not alone; Jesus had been with me all along.
Now, I am a free man in a different sense. While I am still serving my sentence, my heart is unshackled. I spend my days ministering to other inmates, sharing my story of transformation, and helping them find hope in Jesus. I have reconciled with my family and asked for their forgiveness.
As I sit here writing this testimony, I want to tell you that my past does not define who I am today. It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that I have found peace, purpose, and hope. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). I am proof of this promise.
