Presenting a one page biography on my life (before and after prison) placing my faith in Christ is like asking me to run a mile with handcuffs and shackles: but I'll try . . . .
Greetings From Ronnie Jensen
My name is Ronnie. I was born in 1951, electrocuted in 1952 (I bit into an electrical cord that split my lip in half and did something to my brain). I have no memory of any events that took place prior to 16 years old, so I have no way to measure the impact that this had on my life prior to "waking up" at that age. I know that by then I had a history of dysfunctional behavior that was directly related to that incident and it's consequences.
My memory starts at 16 and at that point I was already addicted to heroin and well on my way to a life of misery and pain. At 17, I made a deal with the courts to go into the Marine Corps instead of Youth Authority, because by that time I had gotten into enough trouble where there weren't a lot of options left. Went to Vietnam; got addicted to raw opium. Life went from bad to worse.
Returned from Vietnam (strung out), got discharged. Tried to support my habit; ended up shooting a man in the arm (it was an accident) during the course of a day time burglary, and went to prison for a few years. During those "few years" I developed an image (for survivals sake) that was designed to get me through some pretty tough institutions; an image that I carried for years. I could ind no help.
Got out of prison, was out a short period of time, went back to prison. This time for Receiving Stolen Property. Did another couple of years. I could ind no help. Got out after my second term; stayed out awhile, went back to prison. When I got arrested I was charged with a string of robberies, and a murder (my friend was killed during the course of the last robbery that I was involved in). I was on my way to prison for the rest of my life (and then some). I could ind no help... Until... I traded one life (worthless) for another (priceless)! I found help... finally!
Because I traded one life for another, and allowed Jesus Christ to take up residence in me, I have now been out of prison for nearly 15 years. Has it been easy? No! It has been the greatest challenge of my life (including the 3 prison terms). In spite of the fact that I had paid my debt to society, had the Lord in my life, and had studied for the ministry while I was in, my adjustment back into society has been a journey that has lasted for years. This world was alien to me, and I was a mass of scars as a result of the life that I had lived through. "It's a long walk from the Pig-Pen".
All I knew was prison life; and I was a little rough around the edges. I was the product of the electrocution, drugs, years of prison, and a Seed that had been planted in my heart by God. I was a man of scars (both on the inside and on the outside) and they didn't just go away because I wanted them to. I was crippled by my experience; and it was hard to see the "Seed"! But; thank God for His Mercy; I made it through the adjustment period without my resorting back to the "Pig-Pen" way of doing things. He is my Friend.
At present; I am the President of Access Ministries, a non-profit organization that was formed for the purpose of helping the many others that are serious; but need help during transition back into mainstream society. I am married to the most wonderful woman that God ever created, I have wonderful kids and grand kids, I even have pets. I presently enjoy a relationship with Jesus Christ that has surpassed all of my wildest dreams. He did for me what I could not do for myself.
My memory starts at 16 and at that point I was already addicted to heroin and well on my way to a life of misery and pain. At 17, I made a deal with the courts to go into the Marine Corps instead of Youth Authority, because by that time I had gotten into enough trouble where there weren't a lot of options left. Went to Vietnam; got addicted to raw opium. Life went from bad to worse.
Returned from Vietnam (strung out), got discharged. Tried to support my habit; ended up shooting a man in the arm (it was an accident) during the course of a day time burglary, and went to prison for a few years. During those "few years" I developed an image (for survivals sake) that was designed to get me through some pretty tough institutions; an image that I carried for years. I could ind no help.
Got out of prison, was out a short period of time, went back to prison. This time for Receiving Stolen Property. Did another couple of years. I could ind no help. Got out after my second term; stayed out awhile, went back to prison. When I got arrested I was charged with a string of robberies, and a murder (my friend was killed during the course of the last robbery that I was involved in). I was on my way to prison for the rest of my life (and then some). I could ind no help... Until... I traded one life (worthless) for another (priceless)! I found help... finally!
Because I traded one life for another, and allowed Jesus Christ to take up residence in me, I have now been out of prison for nearly 15 years. Has it been easy? No! It has been the greatest challenge of my life (including the 3 prison terms). In spite of the fact that I had paid my debt to society, had the Lord in my life, and had studied for the ministry while I was in, my adjustment back into society has been a journey that has lasted for years. This world was alien to me, and I was a mass of scars as a result of the life that I had lived through. "It's a long walk from the Pig-Pen".
All I knew was prison life; and I was a little rough around the edges. I was the product of the electrocution, drugs, years of prison, and a Seed that had been planted in my heart by God. I was a man of scars (both on the inside and on the outside) and they didn't just go away because I wanted them to. I was crippled by my experience; and it was hard to see the "Seed"! But; thank God for His Mercy; I made it through the adjustment period without my resorting back to the "Pig-Pen" way of doing things. He is my Friend.
At present; I am the President of Access Ministries, a non-profit organization that was formed for the purpose of helping the many others that are serious; but need help during transition back into mainstream society. I am married to the most wonderful woman that God ever created, I have wonderful kids and grand kids, I even have pets. I presently enjoy a relationship with Jesus Christ that has surpassed all of my wildest dreams. He did for me what I could not do for myself.
.JPG)
Ronnie & Debbie Jensen
I'm Free; He gave me a life!He gave me His Life, and that more abundantly!That's about all I can do with one page...End of StoryRev. Ronnie Jensen
IN LOVING MEMORY
Ronnie M. Jensen, age 66, of Fresno, went home to be with the Lord on December 31, 2017. He passed away peacefully at home after spending time with his family. Ronnie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Debbie. He is also survived by his 4 kids and 16 grandchildren. Ronnie joined the US Marine Corps in 1968, serving in Vietnam as a Tracked Combat Vehicle Mechanic, earning a Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and the Rifle Marksman Badge. Ronnie went on to work for Lee Greene Plastering for many years until he earned his Plastering Contractor's License as Journeyman Plastering. In 1992 Ronnie became involved with Follow-Up Ministries, ministering to inmates/ex-inmates, as well as their families. He and Debbie founded ACCESS Ministries Inc. on the California Central coast. He was ordained by twelve different ministers of twelve different denominations. He ministered for the next 15 years to those who were frustrated and hurting, trying to transition from prison to some type of normalcy; the road he knew all too well. He made many close friends who he referred to as his brothers and sisters. He was also employed with BRCC Construction as a Project Manager for Bruce and Anne( whom he Loved dearly) until he became too ill to carry on his physical responsibilities. Ronnie will be missed by his family, as well as so many others.
You are Loved Ronnie Jensen. SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE (SYOTOS)
