I Am Not My Past

The Story of Phineas

At just seventeen, Phineas was imprisoned for a crime he deeply regretted. Behind bars, he felt utterly alone—abandoned by those he once trusted, defined by a past he couldn’t undo. With each passing day, hope grew dimmer. He couldn’t imagine a future beyond the cell walls, nor a life that might welcome him back.

And yet, it was in that place of despair that he found hope.

A local Bible college began visiting the prison, bringing with them more than just sermons—they brought connection, compassion, and a vision for redemption. They launched a program within the prison, teaching inmates about the love of Christ and how to minister in their own communities, both inside and beyond the prison walls. Their message of grace and forgiveness struck a chord deep within Sophinihish. For the first time in a long time, he saw a future for himself.

Maybe, he thought, he wasn’t beyond forgiveness. Maybe he could still live a life of meaning.

That hope transformed him. Sophinihish began to dream of using his story to bring hope to others—especially those who, like him, once believed they were beyond saving. He came to believe that no one is too lost to be found, and that redemption is real for all who seek it. This conviction became more than a belief; it became a way of life.

He committed himself to a new path—one of service, humility, and purpose.

Telling the Story

Phineas is one of nine individuals we interviewed who had gone through this life-changing prison program. Each one shared a similar journey: a painful past marked by regret, a turning point of hope, and a renewed life driven by the second chance they had been given.

At the heart of each story is a personal transformation—a movement from darkness into light. That’s what makes these stories powerful. And that’s why we center each narrative on a single individual: the protagonist. Someone real. Someone the audience can connect with, root for, and be inspired by. As their story unfolds, we see not only where they’ve been, but the bright future they’re now striving toward.

There’s something universal here. We’ve all faced moments we wish we could undo. We’ve all made choices we regret. But these stories remind us that we are not defined by our worst mistakes. Every person deserves a second chance. Every story can be rewritten.

For Phineas and others like him, the past no longer holds the final word. They look ahead with hope, committed to living lives of impact, sharing the message they’ve embraced: that forgiveness is real, and change is possible.

A Message for Us All

Phineas’s story doesn’t end with his transformation—it begins there. He is now determined to bring light into dark places, offering hope to those who feel forgotten. His testimony is a reminder that each of us has the power to create change, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of those around us.

We all carry stories of struggle, but we also carry the potential to turn those stories into something redemptive. When we choose to love others through our experiences, when we speak life into places of despair—we become agents of hope.

This is the invitation:
To believe that anyone can start again.
To understand that no one is beyond redemption.
To know that the outcome of your story can still be changed.

Forgiveness is real.
Hope is alive.
And it’s never too late to reach for both.