Pardoned Bank Robber Jon Ponder: ‘It Was 100% Jesus’ Who Turned My Life Around By Tré Goins-Phillips for Faith Wire News
Jon Ponder, a former bank robber pardoned Tuesday evening by President Donald Trump, said Wednesday afternoon that it “was 100% Jesus” who turned his life around while he was behind bars.
“I want to thank God for turning my life around,” Ponder told Fox News’ Dana Perino. “It was 100% Jesus that turned my life in a 180-degree turn in another direction and I cannot stop thanking Him enough.”
The man pardoned last night at the RNC, @JonDPonder, joins us to discuss his experience. pic.twitter.com/FAW2ElgsX9
— The Daily Briefing (@dailybriefing) August 26, 2020
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His interview with Perino came the afternoon after he was fully pardoned by the president, who called Ponder’s life journey “a beautiful testament to the power of redemption.”
Trump first honored Ponder in the Rose Garden in 2018, according to CBN News.
“While Jon was in prison, he began reading the Bible and listening to Christian radio,” the president said Tuesday. “One day, he heard the Rev. Billy Graham on the radio proclaim Jesus wants to be Lord of your life. On that day, Jon dedicated his life to Christ. He spent the rest of his time in prison studying the Bible.”
Since leaving prison, Ponder has also formed a friendship with retired FBI Special Agent Richard Beasley, who arrested Ponder. The agent told Ponder he had been praying for him.
President Trump pardoned Jon Ponder, a convicted felon who has since started a program to help former prisoners re-enter society.
“The promises that he made, was promises that he kept,” Ponder says of Trump as he shares his story at #RNC2020. https://t.co/QOOhCdjT98 pic.twitter.com/isObvwPR20
— ABC News (@ABC) August 26, 2020
In the time since he was freed, Ponder founded Hope for Prisoners, Inc., a nonprofit that assists those leaving incarceration and transitioning back into the workforce.
“I can’t even find the words to describe how grateful I was in that moment when the president had given me a pardon,” Ponder told Perino. “I had no idea that it was gonna happen, so it was just an incredible, incredible surprise.”
