Dreams of two San Quentin residents were fulfilled when their loved ones walked into the prison to witness their transformation and partake in worship first-hand.

Dozens of other family members joined their incarcerated brothers, husbands, and sons for the “Family and Faith” event on March 1 in Chapel B.

“I am humbled to be here with my wife and brothers in Christ. This is a day to praise God for all he has done,” resident Fernando Perez said. “Each of us has the Holy Spirit that makes us one.”

Residents Nickolas Johnson and Perez’s idea to host a worship service with family and friends derived from philanthropist Bob Goff’s “Dream Big Workshop” last year. Love Does Foundation funded the two contest winners’ dream.

Director of Operations Drew Fountain said that the opportunity to witness and provide help for individuals to dream is inspiring. “I am proud of them and the fruit of their labor has paid off. The impact from and what the workshop is able to do for others is gratifying,” he said. 

Johnson said he initially struggled with the concept of a dream but soon realized how rewarding it would be for residents’ family members to see the positive changes and have a worship service. “Our [residents] changes have been away from our family. It would be powerful, and healing for so many men to have their wife, sister, or mother embrace the changes we have made in our lives.”

He said he found his higher power and purpose in prison. He told attendees that his dream now is to do good, be kind, and give others the respect he had not done before coming to prison.

“This event is the first thing I have done and can be proud of,” Johnson said to his sister and attendees.

Crystal Johnson said she was pleased to see him making better choices and that he has accepted Jesus Christ as his lord and savior. “It is wonderful to see family members here in support. This event has shown the best version of Nick.”

“This has been a longtime coming for Fernando,” his wife, Monique Perez, said. “It is a big deal to fellowship with family and hear spirit-filled music.”

Other residents expressed gratitude and talked about how God has moved in their lives.

“Our parents are a reflection of God’s unconditional love and compassion,” Carrington Russelle said in thanks to his mother. 

“It is a beautiful thing to see the new men in Christ — who we are in Jesus and to see what God has done in our lives,” Jason Jenkins said.

Another resident, Ralph Arreguin, talked about a letter his wife had written to him after a phone conversation with his attorney. He said he had been fasting and praying for 40 days prior to the good news from his attorney. The letter was about the 40 days of rain in the Old Testament of the Bible, how Moses and the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, and how Jesus fasted 40 days and was tempted by Satan, and how Jesus came back for 40 days after his resurrection. 

“She told me the news and I knew the Lord’s hand was on my case,” Arreguin said. “It has been hard trusting, but when I gave it all to God, he moved me.”

San Quentin’s The Urban Ministry Institutes’ volunteers Brother Bill and Pastor Ray offered some encouraging words to attendees. Pastor Ray invited members of his church and his son to the stage to say a few words before his sermon.

Pastor Ray spoke on how God has a perfect plan for everyone by noting that God has a purpose for them. “If Jesus did it with me then God can do it for you too,” Pastor Ray said as he related his time spent in prison, and how he was imprisoned in mind and heart after incarceration. 

“God has a plan and when time is right, he will open prison gates. He will create a way to deliver you, if you trust in Him,” Pastor Ray said.

Resident Andrew Garcia’s mom and sister attended. “It feels good to have my family here because I get to experience worship with them. It is a shared experience,” he said. 

“When we are sanctified and cleansed we need to go back to our communities so others can see the miracles he did in our lives. God does it so others can see his glory,” Pastor Ray said.

“I am blessed to have family here and Pastor Ray. God has been moving through all my family and now they get to see how I too have changed. They see the new men we are becoming,” resident Mike Soutar said.