ROBBER ERNIE’S FABULOUS FORTY

ERNIE Hollands changed my life.
I heard the bank robber and hopeless criminal speak many years ago in Newport in the early 90s about how he found Jesus in his prison cell in 1975 and his life changed from abject, unrelenting misery and gloom into grace. He went on to start a new life with a wife and family after spending most of his life in prison and devoted himself to helping other criminals recover and rehabilitate.
His simple, unvarnished, sincere and deeply moving story removed my cynicism and gave me a deep understanding of grace through suffering. Ernie really was the real deal and his autobiography Hooked was a gripping read.
A celebration of the 40th anniversary of his mission Hebron Ministries will be held on Saturday at Gateway Church in London.
Ernie is dead but his wife Sheila keeps running it and sending books to prisoners.
I will raise a toast to the great man who continues to change lives.
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