Dying to Live

This is a book about encouragement and tough love. It shows what can happen when Jesus is taken into the ugly surroundings of a prison. Prisoners can survive and win by calling on the strength of Jesus while in prison. This book won't make life easier for them physically, but will show them how to survive, spiritually transformed, strengthened, and forgiven. It is indeed a book on life. The overwhelming objective is to develop a spiritual toughness in men and women prisoners, in order for them to survive in prison. Ken's hope is also that this book will help prisoners on Death Row, who might believe that life ends completely at any execution with nothing but darkness beyond. This book also provides insight for ordinary Christians, especially those who support prisoners, giving them an insight into the thinking, the frustrations, and the fears of men and women who are incarcerated. Ken Gartner is a New Zealand Maori. He was a teacher for most of his working life, until his career came to a sudden end twenty four years ago when he served a short term of imprisonment. He turned to Christ while he was inside. Upon his release, he returned to university, gaining BA, BA (Hon), and MA degrees in Maori Studies at Victoria University. He is currently studying towards a doctorate degree. He is a member of Prison Fellowship New Zealand, and takes services on a regular basis in both the men and women's prisons in the Wellington area and at other parts of New Zealand, fulfilling a covenant he made with Jesus in 1983 to tell prisoners everywhere about his love. He is married to Ann, and they both belong to the Elim Church in Wellington New Zealand.