My Childhood

Jesus Christ has not always been the pre-eminent One in my life. My childhood was full of toys, dogs, cowboy shows, snap pistols, Cub & Boy Scouts, building go-carts and vacation Bible school--even faithful appearances at the local Methodist Church.

At the age of twelve, I allowed Jesus to become "a part" of my life. I thought that giving God some of my life (and being sprinkled in baptism) would be sufficient to join the ranks of Christianity. Was I ever wrong! A definite relationship with the Spirit of the Living God was missing. As a result, nothing filled my void.

My teen years throughout high school produced high acclamation. Athletics (football, basketball, and track), elevated the person of Charles Watson, and not the person of Jesus Christ. In addition to this, my life was not centered in the Word of God (the Bible). So it seemed fitting, that the course I was on, would lead me to beer, liquor, fast women, and other forms of "temporary happiness and satisfaction."

Leaving the Nest

As the time passed, I found myself in college. This lead me to the same non-fulfilling practices. Additional works of the flesh were introduced to me through the residing fraternity. My athletic activities eventually turned to the art of "making sport" instead of practicing one. Stealing, the party life, and experimenting with marijuana were now "a part" of my life.

After three years of college, I headed out to California. My desire was to have complete freedom from the moral guidelines of my parents. What I wanted was to be released to do what "I" desired, not what someone desired for me. I was tired of always having to measure up and be checked up on.

In California, my life was one of rejection, only it was I who was doing the rejecting. I had rejected my parents' faith and God, along with God's book of "DO's and DON'Ts." In actuality, I was rejecting the Answer for my life.

My choice to drink, to take drugs, and to live the fast life, led me to dropping out of college, a failed business, and to Charles Manson. Soon, I joined his cult. The book I have co-authored entitled, Will You Die For Me? spells out clearly how a person's mind can be brainwashed of what morals it has, and then programmed to kill. As a result of my choices, seven human beings lay dead by my hands. Through my life, I allowed the destroyer to kill, steal, and destroy the lives of others, as well as my own. By giving myself to drugs, drug-crazed friends, and the desires of the flesh, I was ripped-off!

After being ripped-off, Satan had DEATH ROW waiting for me! However, God's love, grace, and mercy prevailed. The death penalty was abolished by the U.S. Supreme Court, and I was transferred to the California Men's Colony.

Then, three years later, I heard the Gospel with my heart for the first time. In May 1975, I was sick and tired of serving the devil. I was finished with being ripped-off. No more did I want to do things "my way." I was looking for answers. I knew I had messed things up. At that time, Christ came to me through many of His servants.

I repented of my sins, and confessed Jesus Christ with my mouth as Savior and Lord. I trusted in His blood that was shed on the cross for me, and received Him as the Boss of my life. Even though I was sorry for my crime before Christ, a greater evidence of remorse was present. My face began to glow, and there was no more need for the false peace that drugs gave. The closer I drew to God, the nearer He drew to me. My life began to produce the fruit of God's Spirit.

Growing in Christ

God was surely moving "in" my life at the Colony. For the first time in my life, I found someone who could fill my every need. "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19 NLT)

All my life I had spent searching for lifelong satisfaction. I found someone greater than just fulfilling my physical needs. Christ had shown me the Spiritual realm, and now my eyes were open to His finished work at Calvery. My heart was content.

At the same time, I knew something new had taken place in me. My life in Christ was real to me, and to others. I soon realized I had been made the righteousness of God in Christ, having wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I had been set apart from sin, because of Jesus Christ. God had delivered me from the power of darkness and had translated me into the kingdom of His dear Son. Where I was once living in defeat, I was now living in victory. I was a conqueror in Christ, capable of overcoming all the circumstances of this world. By the word of Jesus Christ, whose testimony was witnessed in my life, I was now content, and lived by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

My Future in Christ

My time is well spent sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in prison and through non-profit ministries. I have been solidly committed to full-time ministry for going on three decades. Even though there are prison walls, the Lord had made a way for His testimony to be shared with millions of people.

Over the years, God has worked in all things to change me to become more like His Son. I live my life broken before my Heavenly Father. It is only by living in His throne room of grace can I obtain mercy and find ability to help in time of need. Through it all, I know I have been chosen of God to sow seeds of love, grace and mercy (Micah 6:8). Jesus is my life! I live to serve Him humbly with all my heart. A miracle has taken place.

In closing, I recall the conversion of the Apostle Paul. Jesus Christ spoke to Ananias and commanded him to minister to Paul. But Ananias said, "I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to the saints at Jerusalem...But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for My Name's sake" (Acts 9:13-16).

Charles