Patrick Ntsobe

One aggressive moment ended in murder, but in another moment Patrick remembered there was hope of forgiveness and freedom from the fear of death

Life began to go down-hill for Patrick Ntsobe when he turned 19. It started with him becoming addicted to alcohol and cigarettes and ended with him being arrested for murder.

“One day I was in a tavern and had too much to drink,” Patrick says. “I became very aggressive and ended up shooting and killing someone.”

For the murder, Patrick was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.

“When I arrived in prison I began to remember Jesus Christ,” he says. “I was born into a Christian family to godly parents who had told me about the love of Jesus so I began to read a Bible everyday while in prison and got into contact with other inmates who were Christians.”

After listening to his fellow prisoners speaking and preaching about Jesus Christ, Patrick decided to attend the prison church and to complete some Bible courses.

“When I went to church and studied the Bible I had a desire to stop smoking,” he recalls. “Then one day I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me for all the bad things I had done and accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour.”

Some of the inmates who led Patrick to Christ have died, but because God’s Word is true, Patrick believes they are with God in heaven and he continues to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

“I thank God for His mercy that He is keeping me alive,” Patrick says. “He provides me with all my needs and guides me. Best of all, He has given me a story to encourage others.”

One particular verse that is precious to Patrick and to his friends who have died is Romans chapter 6, verse 23Romans chapter 6, verse 23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”