Chaplain of Louisiana State Penitentiary,
Angola, Louisiana:  The Louisiana State Penitentiary was the recipient of a gracious gift from the author of "The Jesus Story."  Mr. Hammatt came out to the prison and introduced me to his book.  I was so moved by this book that I incorporated this book into our orientation as we receive a new inmate at Angola.  The book presents the message of salvation in a simple but powerful way.  I felt like it was the greatest resource available to present the gospel to each new inmate that arrives at this prison.

Today, when we receive new inmates they are met by one of our inmate ministers. The inmate minister reads the book to the inmate and then gives him a copy of "The Jesus Story." The inmate is encouraged to read this book to his children or his family when they come to Angola to visit him.  "The Jesus Story" was also placed in all of our visiting areas. The children of our inmates have this book available to read while they visit with their daddy.  We will only know the real results of this book in the lives of our people in eternity. 

God Bless You, Robert Toney
 

 

 From Christine in Illinois:  “Don't forget to tell your friends that a little 7 year old boy, listened to his Mom read the book and the next day, said, "Mommy, I want to ask Jesus to live in my heart."! That's the most exciting news a Mother could ever hear! “
Don and his Grandchildren: When initially telling the story to John, he had a bad sinus infection. When I told about Jesus opening eyes and ears he stopped me saying; “Poppa, Poppa, He opened noses too?” I assured him that yes, Jesus did open noses also. After telling the story to John and Lindsey over several weeks, they both invited Jesus into their lives. The book did not exist at this time, March, 2001, John had just turned 4 and Lindsey was not quite 3. Today, they are both completely confident that Jesus Christ is alive in them.

In December of 2002, I was keeping John George, another of my grandchildren who was four years old at that time. I read him The Jesus Story. When I finished the book, I simply asked him: “John George, did you want to invite Jesus into your heart today?” He then said, “Yes, Grandpa” and then without my saying anything else, this child said, “Jesus, please come into my heart.” I am confident that our God hears the voices of small children who ask with complete faith and that He does respond.

 

 

 From Cheryl in Baton Rouge:  Mr. Hammatt, I used your book to share the plan of salvation with my children at church, and two of my boys asked Jesus into their heart. Awesome! Thanks for allowing God to use you in an awesome way.
From April in Tinley Park, Illinois:  On Sunday morning I brought my copy of "The Jesus Story" to Church to share with my first and second grade Sunday school children. After we did the regular morning Sunday school lesson I told them I had a book to read to them and they excitedly gathered around.

I paid special attention to their reactions to the pictures as I read, and pointed out different things, like the little ones peeking around the corner at Jesus healing someone, and how gentle he looked with the children in the story. They were really drawn in to what they were seeing and hearing. The expressions on their faces said it all. I have taught Sunday school for about twenty years now and I know when my kids are interested and when I'm losing them. They were definitely interested and even visibly moved.

The expressions changed dramatically when I turned to the page where Jesus was being beaten. They seemed to "feel" genuine sadness. They listened attentively throughout the entire book. Praise God, one little girl even climbed up into my lap at the end of the story and wanted to pray to ask Jesus into her life.
From Chris and Jennifer in Baton Rouge, Lousiana: "My husband and I had read The Jesus Story to our kids several times. We had talked with Samuel about Jesus and His great love and sacrifice for him probably since birth. We decided to give him The Jesus Story video for Easter last year, 2004, just after his 5th birthday. After watching the video, he asked, “How do we ask Jesus into our hearts?” We discussed the “how to” with him and left him alone. Later that evening, during bedtime prayers, he prayed, “Dear Jesus, please come into my heart and give me peace and help me not to do bad or mean things.” Wow!! What Joy it is to hear your child pray that! Samuel is a visual learner and God used the video to open his eyes and heart to His wonderful love. We are so thankful for Don’s heart in writing the book and making the video. God used this tool to bring this little child into His royal family and we are still rejoicing as we see the Holy Spirit work in Samuel’s life."