Jailhouse Rock

Mark Brabson found salvation his first week in prison when a group of Christian inmates took him under their wing, leading Mark to a lasting relationship with the Rock of Ages, Christ Jesus. It did not take long for Mark to become an example of what God can do once He has a man’s full attention. The wakeup call was profound, and Mark’s faith steadily grew as other inmates saw him as a “rock” which they could emulate.

Like the paralytic man Jesus healed at the Pool of Bethesda in chapter five of the Gospel of John, Mark has a testimony of Christ’s redeeming and restorative power that can change lives. It has to do with the mat Jesus ordered the man to take up as he walked away healed.

“For years I was heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol,” Mark says. “I wanted desperately to quit and live sober, but I just didn’t know how.”

Like the paralyzed man, Mark offered every reason he could find to excuse his inability to turn his life around.

“The paralytic likewise gave Jesus excuses: ‘I can’t move fast enough to get to the pool,’ ‘others are able to move to the pool before me,’ ‘I have no one to help me,’” says Sergeant Jeff Clarke, administrator for the Knoxville Citadel Corps, speaking on the similarities between the Bible story and Mark’s testimony. “But that’s not what Jesus asked.”

Instead, Jesus simply asked the man if he wanted to be healed. When the man finally answered “Yes,” Jesus told him to stand up, take up his mat, and walk away.

So, one wonders, why did Jesus order him to carry his mat after the miracle was performed? Perhaps the mat would serve as a reminder to him and others of the change God’s power had wrought in his life.

“If you take a look at Mark’s arms, you’d see the marks from a life of drugs and from being beaten up by other homeless people,” Sergeant Jeff continues. “Those arms now serve as a reminder to him and to others of Christ’s power to save and transform.”

It seems most likely that the paralytic man in John chapter five never returned to the Pool of Bethesda, the wretched locale of his helpless situation for so much of his life. So, why would Mark? Many years now after his conversion and transformation, Mark refuses to go back to the life he once knew.

“I took up my mat and walked away from all that,” he exclaims.

Mark readily shares with anyone how far he’s come. “The Knoxville Police had a name for me,” he explains. “‘Drug Mule,’ because I was not only a user, but I was transporting drugs and dealing on the streets.”

He was charged with possession and distribution of illegal drugs and sentenced to five years at the Tennessee State Penitentiary. Throughout the entire journey, his mother, Christine Buley, prayed for his salvation. And then a remarkable thing happened to him.

“I arrived at the prison terrified of what my life would be ‘inside,’” Mark admits. “I begged God to help me survive and to protect me. And He did!”

Mark kept busy working in the prison kitchen from morning to night, and in the evenings, he immersed himself in Bible study classes and worship services held by inmates known by the general population as the “Christian Boys.” Those evening religious activities ran up to the regular nightly lockdown. Thus was Mark kept not only busy, but safe from the general population. “It didn’t feel like I was in prison. I actually felt free from the normal fear of danger.

“Those Christian Boys stayed gathered around me and nurtured me. After a while I was baptized by the prison chaplain, and I felt the Holy Spirit instantly take from me any desire for drugs, alcohol, and even cigarettes!”

Mark’s mom’s prayers were finally answered. And when Mark was released early after three and a half years, he came to The Salvation Army where he was given his first job post-imprisonment as the corps janitor. “It was natural for me to come to the Army because this is where both my mom and dad were faithful soldiers. Both are with the Lord now,” he shares. He was eventually enrolled as a senior soldier. That was 20 years ago.

Mark’s faith is remarkable. His faith in God carried him through a dangerous bout with colon cancer, and after a successful surgery he is now in recovery.

In addition to his loving parents, Mark credits the corps family for loving and taking care of him throughout his recovery. “I am so grateful to this church,” he exclaims.

His years of homelessness, drug addiction, and a served prison sentence, give Mark a unique connection with scores of Knoxville’s homeless living under the I-75 bridge next to the corps building. He knows many of the homeless folks in the neighborhood, which according to Sergeant Jeff is one of the largest homeless communities in the city.

“I talk to them, but I don’t force religion down their throats,” Mark says. “They know who I am and how the Army can be of help to them.”

Mark is also involved in the Men’s Club ministry at the corps and is a mainstay of support during the prayer walks a group of Knoxville soldiers perform on certain Saturdays. On weekdays he works in feeding programs and distribution of clothing and food.

Through God’s sense of humor and redemption, Mark is now a “team teacher” with Corps Sergeant Major Judy Page, who was his mom’s best friend and had joined with her in praying for Mark during all his years running from God.

Nearly every Sunday at least a handful of desperate individuals venture into the building upon Mark’s persistent invitation. He always hopes they will bring their mats with them.