Mark David Chapman
Mark David Chapman, the man who fired several shots and killed the beloved John Lennon of the Beatles almost 35 years ago stated at his latest parole hearing that he is no longer controlled by selfish demons and is now solely focused on his new life he started through Jesus Christ. Despite the change in his life that he claimed, Chapman was yet again denied parole.
After spending 35 years in a New York prison so far, it was enough time apparently for Chapman to come to Christ. Mark David Chapman who read a book about the Beatles as a child explained how he had a dream of fame and glory; to become “someone important or better”. In reality, Chapman started working as a security guard in Hawaii and led a stark drunken depression throughout his life.
While still seriously depressed because his childhood dreams could not be fulfilled Chapman had come across a picture of John Lennon. He expressed that he asked himself the question, “What would happen if I kill him?” As a result, Chapman was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years to life in a New York prison near Buffalo. He failed to gain parole for the eighth time and it is highly likely that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
In a parole hearing transcript that was released by the board, Chapman said, "I had extremely selfish motives for my own self-glory. Thats the best way I can say it…My focus is totally, it isn't on me anymore. God has helped me through the years to see, 'hey, there is other people in this world.' Jesus has helped me to see that he loves me, and that is what has made the difference in my life is him."
Apparently Chapman had been exchanging letters with a pastor and through the communication he was able to come back to God. Although the identity of the pastor was blacked out, when Chapman was first sentenced to imprisonment, this pastor had written him a letter. It took almost a year and a half for Chapman to write a response to the pastor, but over the course of the 35 years, he and the minister had exchanged up to 500 messages and even met in person on many occasions.
"I am interested in one thing and that is ministering to prisoners," Chapman said. "Me and my wife have a ministry. We distribute brochures and tell people about Christ. These kids coming in here now, they can have an option. They don't have to go to the gangs. They can find another way of life. That's what we're into. We have been for a long time. That's where my heart is. Believe me, I am interested in no press whatsoever."
He even added that him and his wife Gloria are still married despite the fact that they are half way across the world away. Despite the distance and the fact that ii is significantly difficult for inmates to stay married, Chapman said that his wife plays a significant role in his spiritual life and that she tries to visit once a year from Honolulu.
We are closer to the Lord now than we were on the street. So I am going to credit him with keeping our marriage together and our sanity." Chapman said.
