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Former Oklahoma inmate offers hope and advice as prison chaplain

A Stillwater veteran who spent more than 45 years in prison now wants to help others after his life was changed by faith and education at a local Christian university.

Keith Barton, 67, said he connected with a prison chaplain while incarcerated and began studying the Bible, finding love, hope and meaning. Eventually, he began leading a Bible study in prison, and while leading a Bible study with his fellow inmates one evening, he realized the Lord was giving him a choice about how he wanted to live after his release.

He could return to the criminal lifestyle he had maintained on and off since his late teens, or he could do something completely different.

“The Lord gave me an opportunity to get my life in order, and I knew that if I didn't get out and join the church, I would end up back in prison,” Barton said.

“These were the options I considered: either spend the rest of my life in prison, end up dead, or do something for the Lord.”

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When he finally left prison, he enrolled at Mid-America Christian University and graduated in May, nearly 50 years after graduating from high school.

Because of his Christian faith, his college education, and his association with the Reverend Calvin Miller and the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Stillwater, Barton decided to one day return to prison to give his testimony. Today, he visits the Oklahoma County Jail as a member of the New Zion outreach team, determined to tell inmates that he has been in their shoes and that he is coming to offer them help and hope.

A committed student

Barton graduated from MACU in May with a 3.9 grade point average and a Bachelor of Science in Christian Counseling.

He was named Online Student of the Year for the university's Christian Mission program, and Julie Nance, associate professor and program director of the university's School of Christian Mission, had nothing but good things to say about him.

“Keith Barton is one of those rare students who you hate to see graduate because they bring so much joy to each class,” Nance said.

She said he was a “great thinker and researcher” who demonstrated his passion for God's Word through his work as a prison chaplain.

“His life experiences help him build a connection with the inmates and show them a way to trust his gospel message,” Nance said.

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“We often had great conversations during weekly discussions. I really appreciated how he encouraged me on course topics. I was always excited when he was signed up for the next course I was teaching. I can't wait to see what's next for Mr. Barton as he continues his graduate studies. I hope he can return to MACU as an instructor one day.”

Barton said he intends to return to university, this time to pursue a master's degree in theology with a concentration in biblical studies.

He said he will continue to go to prisons to offer support and counseling to inmates. And he hopes to set up a youth services office for youth in juvenile detention. Barton said he wants to prevent young people from making some of the mistakes he made.

The recent graduate said his children often tell him they are proud of him and he tells them that all the praise and gratitude for his changed life goes to God.

“I do all this for the Lord,” Barton said.

“I want to give him the best I can because he gave me the best he can.”

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