John Alarid’s “My Prison Became a Palace” is not only critical in its timeliness, dealing directly with the opioid crisis through the story of his own addiction and incarceration, but also universal in its application. Whether your personal prison is material, spiritual or psychological in nature, your future is not defined by your past or present heartbreaks, setbacks and failures. This book will give you eyes to see that God is poised to turn your greatest struggles into your very own redemption story and John is living proof of how true this can be for all of us.

Samuel Rodriguez 
President NHCLC, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Pastor New Season
Author of "Be Light" 


At a time when our nation is suffering from the worst plague of addiction in our history here is a timely story of recovery and transformation out of the depths of drugs with all its effects. It began when the seeds leading to addiction were planted early in a disruptive childhood followed by bad choices as a young adult. MY PRISON BECAME A PALACE is a well told gripping account of a young man's descent into the hell-hole of drug addiction, drug selling, prison and all that goes with such a life-style. Yet in it all was the over shadowing grace of God. The is an amazing life story of change, transformation and hope. I highly recommend this book. It will inspire the reader; more importantly it is a modern "sign and wonder" that addiction does not have to be a life-sentence. If you or a loved one has a life-controlling problem read this book. It can help change a life.

Don Wilkerson
Co-founder of Teen Challenge and Time Square Church
Founder of Global Teen Challenge.
 
 
God is in the business of redeeming the broken. He always has been. John Alarid is a living example of God’s transformational power. His book, My Prison Became A Palace, will satisfy your craving for some hope in tough times.
 
Doug Clay
General Superintendent
Assemblies of God

​My Prison Became a Palace” will inspire and challenge you. From hopeless circumstances to profound experiences with the living God, John Alarid takes us on a captivating journey into God’s grace and calling. It is my personal privilege to call him a friend and ministry partner.
 
Dr. James T. Bradford
Pastor | Central Assembly of God in Springfield, MO
General Secretary
The General Council of the Assemblies of God
 
 
The life story of John Alarid is one that will teach us all a lot about pain. His story is defined by a tremendous perspective on how God is working in our struggles even though much of the time we don't realize it. I'm so thankful for my friend John and thankful that God chose to work in him and through him because he is now able to do so much to help people - and I believe that reading this book will be one of the greatest experiences you've had.
 
Dino Rizzo
Executive Director of ARC (Association of Related Churches)
Associate Pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham


 
This book is a vibrant example of the mercy, grace, and power of God. John’s story is one that will leave you in awe of God’s continual pursuit of the lost and His ability to radically change a life!
 
John Lindell
Lead Pastor
James River Church in Ozark, Missouri
 
 
 
As I read John Alarid’s personal story of rebellion and depravity to finding grace and a call to proclaim the hope he himself had found in Christ, I couldn’t help but think of John Newton, the depraved slave trader who gave us the most widely sung hymn of all – “Amazing Grace.” I thought of Newton’s epitaph which reads, “John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”  John Alarid’s story reminds us that God’s Amazing Grace continues to rescue broken lives and use them to proclaim hope to those who some would declare beyond reach.
 
Carol Taylor, PhD
President
Evangel University


​From the depths of crime, drug addiction and immense personal pain, John Alarid’s story will at times seem overwhelming to the reader. It is however testimony to a powerful reality. God’s redeeming and transforming power is infinitely greater than any other power on earth. My Prison became a Palace is an incredible story of divine grace. It reminds us that while the power of sin is great, it need not lead to death because God is able to deliver no matter how deep life’s despair. John’s redemption story is one that can give hope to all who find themselves in the most hopeless circumstances. When life appears to be all but over, God is still there with arms wide open to save, heal, restore and transform. John’s testimony is a reminder that we serve a living God, one that is infinitely able to take a life that is “nothing” and make it into something of incredible meaning that can leave an impact on countless others.
 
Michael Jaffe, DMin.
Professor of Preaching and Church Leadership
Evangel University and Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
 

John Alarid is definitely a true trophy of God’s grace. When you begin reading his new book, My Prison Became a Palace, you won’t be able to stop until you have finished it. You will experience the pain of satanic destruction; the power of the prayers of Godly parents; and the transformational presence of Jesus Christ, even in solitary confinement. Satan used John to lead many into bondage; now God is anointing him to help many receive their freedom. I encourage you to gift this book to anyone needing deliverance from any addiction.
 
Dr. Alton Garrison 
Assistant General Superintendent 
Assemblies of God 
 
 
 
John Alarid’s book is the story of how God’s relentless love pursued a man all the way to a lonely prison cell, in order to have mercy upon him. John, a modern day prodigal son was running from God, until he reached a place where for five months he found himself with almost no human contact, and only a Bible to read. In that place a rebel found repentance, a sinner found the Savior, a prodigal found the Father, and a prisoner found a palace. My wife and I have worshipped several times with the congregation at City Reach Church in Springfield, Missouri. When you walk into the building, you encounter an atmosphere of God’s love and presence, and you meet people with amazing stories of transformation. When you hear John Alarid preach, you know that hope has made a comeback to the streets of north Springfield.
 
Dennis Rivera
Director of Hispanic Relations
Assemblies of God
 
 
This book is the story of one man’s journey out of darkness into the marvelous light. I first met John when he entered our recovery home at Victory Outreach, Phoenix.  After graduating the home, he served in leadership at the recovery homes.  Later he graduated the Urban Training Center in Los Angeles and served as a missionary to Manila, Philippines.  He went on to finish advanced degrees and plant churches.  John is truly a treasure out of darkness.  I am proud to call him my spiritual son.
 
Tony Garcia
Senior Pastor | Victory Outreach-Phoenix
Regional Pastor | Victory Outreach International
 

My Prison Became a Palace is The Cross and The Switchblade of this generation.
 
Dr. Rod Parsley
Lead Pastor | World Harvest Church
 

My friend John Alarid is not only a Miracle but he is a Missionary. For a number of years he served us well in Manila, Philippines as an urban missionary, reaching & training young leaders. He has never forgotten where he came from and continues to radically reach out to the lost and hurting of society. His story is one that will inspire you & provide light to anyone who has ever been told that their situation is hopeless. John is proof that God is still reaching into darkness and raising up the foolish things of the world. To God be the glory! 
 
Pastor Al Valdez
Board of Elders | Victory Outreach International
Lead Pastor | Victory Outreach Church of San Diego
 
 
When you read John's story you are not just reading the story of his life. You are reading the story of God's power and grace. To see someone's life changed as radically as John Alarid’s, truly gives hope to everyone breathing air today. I pray God encourages your life through the honesty and transformational history of this amazing story of grace.
 
Jeff Leake 
Lead Pastor
Allison Park Church, Allison Park, Pa.
 
 
 
 
The Book you’re holding in your hand is a powerful story of hope and redemption that will serve as a reminder of the faithfulness of God. While the details may be different, John’s story of wandering, doubt, hopelessness and pain is in many ways common to us all, and if you look closely you’ll find a piece of your story here as well. As you walk with John through hurt to hope, you’ll be inspired and encouraged by the grace and love of God and the lengths He goes to pursue us. This is a story of hope, and you won’t want to put it down!
 
Chris Railey
Sr. Director Leadership/ Church Development
The General Council of the Assemblies of God
 
 
This book is a great story of redemption. It is an example that shows it does not matter how far you wander, the Father is still looking for you. He can rescue you and save you. John Alarid reaches out to the downtrodden and disenfranchised because he has been there. This book will encourage you to never give up; those who do are walking away from the Lord’s grace.
 
Manuel Cordero
Senior Director | Chaplaincy Ministries
The General Council of the Assemblies of God
 
 
John Alarid’s story deserves to be heard. Any person, whose life is marked by tragedy, who will read “My Prison became a Palace” will quickly hear and identify with John Alarid’s story. This is not soft-sell religion, but “in your face” truth-telling about what can happen when you encounter Jesus Christ face to face. John Alarid’s story demonstrates that when you meet Christ, your old life doesn’t rule anymore, and a new reality has dawned. John’s chain-breaking experience is the foundation of a vibrant dream to reach a city where there is a church on every corner, but thousands remain captive to self-destructive violence. John is the real deal and his story will remind you that whatever your tragedy may be, hope is never in short supply because Jesus is alive and well!

Byron D. Klaus, President (1999-2015)
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
Springfield, Missouri 
 
 
In what is his first book, My Prison Became a Palace, Pastor John Caleb Alarid sets the tone for conveying his personal “story” of God’s amazing grace with these words:  "My prison became a palace.  My dungeon was filled with light.  I felt what were like waves of electric liquid love flowing over me for five months."
            From the very outset, Pastor John shares the challenging “before” of his life’s journey without knowing the God who loved him and desired to redeem him from his rebellion, sin, and trials of life through the powerful and life-changing good news of his Son Jesus.  Pastor John’s “after” experience ultimately came as God relentlessly pursued him through the course of his ongoing self-defeating lifestyle that included taking and then dealing hardcore drugs in an endeavor to find meaning. Yet, from that pit of despair—God remained faithful in finally breaking through John’s downward spiral to prevail marvelously in this prodigal’s life.
His unbelievable story is not told to glamorize any dark exploits, but to reveal the wonder of God’s larger Love Story that calls everyone, regardless of circumstances, to full awareness by the Spirit and a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I recommend My Prison Became a Palace for reading and sharing with those who feel hopeless and lost—who need a palace from their prison.
 
Rich Guerra
SoCal Network Superintendent


John Alarid is a gifted speaker and author. His story, and more importantly, his deep passionate faith, has the potential to change lives. John shares his life experiences to provide a glimpse into a dark world many people are drawn to for quick money, and a perception of fulfillment. John dispels that myth with clarity and provides a clear path to true peace. He is both gentle, yet “Goliath like” in his mission to save each person that crosses his path. 
 
Elizabeth Stanosheck
Prison Fellowship Area Director
 
​
I am always spiritually encouraged when I read the miraculous story of how God touched the lives of men and women that have survived incarceration. This amazing story of how God touched the life of someone that had reached rock bottom will touch your heart. This truly reflects the truth of C. S. Lewis’s, statement that the “Hound of Heaven will never give up on us”. This is an amazing story of a man who in his depth of depravity dropped to his knees and asked Christ into his life. In his short life as a new Christian, John has already touched thousands of lives for the kingdom. This should be required reading for anyone struggling with incarceration or families who have given up on their loved ones. I am proud to call John and Hannah my brother and sister in Christ.
​
Captain Tom Maxwell,
USN retired,
Volunteer Prison Fellowship
Missouri State Director, Emeritus.
 
 
 
As John's brother, I can testify firsthand of the transforming power of God's grace in his life. I encourage you to read his new book "My Prison Became My Palace" and share it with everyone you know. I believe God has uniquely gifted and anointed John to lead a generation out of darkness into God's marvelous light. 

Brian Alarid
President, America Prays 
Founding Pastor, Passion Church