A team of six HTB members led a three-day mission to the prison on the Channel Island of Guernsey last month.

The team included several ex-offenders including former drugs smuggler Michael Emmett, who became a Christian while in Exeter Prison after a visit from an HTB team led by Emmy Wilson, who was leading the Guernsey mission.

He was accompanied by his wife Tracy, the mother of his three children. The couple married at Holy Trinity Brompton in 2004.
Also on the team was Gram Seed, the Middlesbrough man who lived on a bench for three years before becoming a Christian on a local Alpha course.

He told the local press, ‘In the ten years since I turned my back on a life of crime I’ve devoted my life to persuading criminals that they can make other lifestyle choices.

‘My life was full of people telling me I would never make it and that I was a scumbag. I suppose people dismiss you if you’ve been inside.’

Other former offenders on the team included John Finlinson who served several sentences for grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary and drug dealing.

The visit was organised by prison chaplain Billy Gilvear, who became a Christian after coming close to suicide while addicted to alcohol and drugs.

The 30 prisoners who took part in the mission were invited on to a prison Alpha course at the end – and many accepted the invitation.

At the end, the prison authorities allowed a group photograph to be taken of everybody involved, along with other pictures.

Emmy Wilson said, ‘Many people made commitments to Christ for the first time. The uncertain faces turned into smiling faces by the end.’