Pastor Earl R. Gilchrist, is a living testimony of the miraculous, transforming, delivering power of the Lord Jesus Christ! Earl, has been in prison 5 times in 3 different states. He spent over 181/2 years of his life there, (not including city/county jails and workhouses). He’s been charged with crimes ranging from petty theft to 1 st degree murder. He was known around the country as a very vicious, violent, and dangerous man. He was addicted to heroin, cocaine, crack, methadone, dillaudid, and cough syrup. During his years of use $500.00 dollars a day was the minimum he spent. In January of 1986, Apostle Arnold P. Williams, visited him in the Ramsey County jail, where he was facing 3 aggravated robbery charges, 2 in Henn. Co., 1 in Ramsey, and a possible 1 st degree murder. Pastor Arnold, spoke life to him, in what appeared to be a hopeless situation. And the anointing that was on him removed the burdens and destroyed the yoke long enough for Earl, to make a decision for the Lord. Although Earl, received 136 months for the crimes he committed, May 14 th, 1986 he accepted Jesus Christ, as his personal Savior and Lord. He’s been “radically” saved every since. While incarcerated Earl, received his AA degree in theology and the bible and enough credits to receive his BA degree, maintaining a 3.92 GPA. Since his release, he has maintained an active membership in the River Of Life Church. He became a Deacon, an Elder, and now one of the Associate Pastors. He received his M.A. in Pastoral Care and Ministry, in 1996, and his Doctoral Degree, in Ministry and Clinical Pastoral Counseling in 2002, 4.0 GPA. He was a part of the 12 Step Free-Indeed Ministry for 11 years. He headed up the 12 Step Ministry for 0ver 5 years. He has also been part of the Prison Ministry Leadership, for 8 years. Every week he goes back into the same prison he was released from and holds bible study, along with others. While incarcerated Pastor Earl was compelled by God to write an autobiography and testimonial book, which he had published when he got out. The name of his book is “HOW I GOT OVER”, and gives details of his life as a gangster. It’s educational, informational, and a testimonial. The title was taken from the scripture in 1Jn.5:4; “For whatsoever is Born Of God Overcometh the world: and this is the Victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. He is also the 1 st phase lecture instructor and senior counselor at Minnesota Teen Challenge. He was married to his gift from God, Pamela J. Gilchrist, June 11 th, 1994 and they have been happily married for 9 ½ years.