Minister Otis Hardy

Minister Otis Hardy shares his testimony….

In June of 1979, I was sentenced to two life sentences for armed robbery, even though I did not carry a gun. The conviction for armed robbery carried more weight and heavier sentencing. The sentence was for two life sentences without eligibility for parole until 2038. Proverbs 19:21 says “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” I now know that God has a purpose for each one of our lives…

While I was doing time, I began to learn to bake in prison. In 1994, I was invited to church for the first time in my life. I had been a Muslim, but there, at church, I converted and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of my life through the persistence of a prison guard. Whenever he saw me, he used to say “Jesus Loves You.” That bothered me so much. Slowly, I started to believe it was true that Jesus loves me. Before I became a Christian, I used to run the prison I was in. I would run all kinds of games. If I told it all, it would make church people stone me. But, when I accepted Christ, I was transformed.

In 1996, I was given a task of becoming the personal chef of Governor Hunt at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh, N.C. This provided me with some freedoms and experiences I would not otherwise have had. I worked there for four years. I met Bill Gates, Jesse Jackson, Michael Jordan, Senator Jesse Helms and Billy Graham. It was soon discovered that the state of North Carolina was at error for the amount of time that I was convicted for; therefore, I was released on February 15, 2000 as part of a prison ministry program. I was given a check of $45, and the check was cashed because I owed the state $20.00. So, I left prison, after 21 years, with my life’s savings of $25.00 dollars.

Soon after, I married the most wonderful lady (saint) that I have ever known—Wynella. We are partners, and I am now a student at St. Augustine College. I will finish my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management in 2003. Today, the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to be a national motivational speaker for youth and adults. I am also involved in many community based programs such as the NC Oral Historical Society at UNC, Urban Ministries Christian Business Men’s Association, and the Governor’s Job Start program for Prisoners. In 2002, I was ordained as an elder by the Community of Christ. I do not belong to any one denomination. I work with all to the glory of God.

In the Spring of 2002, I met Dr. McClenney-Sadler and learned about Exodus Foundation.org at a prison ministry gathering in Durham. A few months later she invited me to join the advisory board of the Foundation. I told her, “I’ve been waiting….what took you so long? I was excited to join the advisory board of Exodus Foundation.org because I believe the mission of Exodus Foundation.org is to provide a way for those who have been cast away. A support system is very important. We want to prepare men and women to be fruitful in their families and communities—to become responsible leaders. Today, in our society, we are raising up people to fail. As we look at our community we see bondage. It costs more to confine a person than to educate him. With an education, a person is exposed to a broader perspective. Those that have been through a molding process are best suited to go back and teach those that are still in bondage. They will listen, because they will see lives restored through Exodus Foundation.org. I made it only by the Grace of God. Christ came not to change my life but to exchange it. When people understand that they must make more than a mere change---that’s when a purpose can be discovered.

[Minister Otis Hardy has been a member of the advisory board since 2002]     (In picture on right: Minister Otis Hardy with wife, Wynella, and friends.)

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