Cal Zastrow and members of his family were thrown in prison for practicing their faith and giving a voice to the voiceless – sharing nothing but a message of love and life. Cal’s family has been to China with Back to Jerusalem and are big supporters of the underground church in China. They have often led prayer sessions for Chinese Christians who have been put in prison for their faith.
In 2021, Cal and several members of his family were put in prison when the United States Department of Justice brought the full force of the US government against Cal Zastrow for praying and singing hymns outside an abortion clinic in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
While President Biden pardoned rapists and murderers during his last days in office, he aggressively went after Cal and his family, along with 89-year-old Eva Edl, a death camp survivor, as well as Beverly Williams, a mother of a 2-year-old, and John Hinshaw, a grandfather whose two grandchildren were born while he was in jail.
Last week, Cal Zastrow and 22 other Christians were given a full pardon by President Trump and released from prison.
After being released from prison, Cal reported, “Worthy is the Lamb! Your [BTJ] books are circulating (and popular) among the Christians in Thomson Prison, describing what normal Christianity is. I was friendly with an Isis Imam and urged him to read the book JIHAD: The Day I Died …He still might read your book, as well as the Taliban recruiter locked up with me.”
We are thankful for Cal Zastrow’s release from prison and his presidential pardon and praise the Lord for BTJ books circulating among Christians and Muslims in prison.
Hallelujah! Thank God for Pres. Trump giving Cal a full pardon. Long overdue, should never have been charged for choosing life and defending the unborn! Justice!
Was he defending the unborn, or was he offering hope and freedom and life and love and maybe even another way to those mothers facing the crippling choice and impossible situation their fear and circumstances and even our own sin have placed them in?
Just one perspective.
I think singing about Jesus and giving Him praise and glory is a lot of the time why people all across the globe are imprisoned. So maybe it simply feels unjust in a country that claims religious freedom. When in fact, on the global, kingdom scale, perhaps it’s merely what we’re promised by Jesus, Himself.
Either way, I’m thankful for the reuniting of these families. And for the opportunity to share God’s message of Hope and Presence to those in prison where they were. God meeting them there. And, for the reminder to us here in the comfortable land of the red white and blue that things as we once knew them to be, may be changing. But that peace comes when we remember God promised us as much. Including His Presence and provision in the midst of it. 🙂
Glory to God and “the joy of the Lord is our strength”, Nehemiah…as we continue to build the walls of His Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.
It’s inspiring to hear that BTJ books are reaching people in prison. Praying for transformation and open hearts, even among those with different beliefs.
La verdad, no sé a quién le importa esto. ¿Filosofía en catalán? Hmm, suena más a un capricho que a algo útil. Ya basta de tantas revistas ‘académicas’ que solo se leen entre cuatro gatos.