Letter of Testimony
This is a letter written to Pastor Jay from Curt Craven who is testifying for the Lord from prison. Bless you, Curt. It is important that you know that Curt requested that we post this for people to read.
...............................................................................
I Curt M. Craven, am a man of God and have found salvation thanks to the guidance of the Lord, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge of Alexandria, and the strong faith and love of your congregation and sermons. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins (Romans 5:8) and God has given me hope and completely filled me with joy and peace, because I trust him. I am overflowing with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
My name is Curt M. Craven, I'm 41 years young. I was born in Parkers Prairie, raised in Miltona, and graduated at Jefferson Senior High in Alexandria. I have 4 beautiful kids, with full safe legal and physical custody of my only girl who is seven. My father Scott Craven died when I was 4 months old. He was hit by a drunk driver in front of my mother, me, and my siblings. My mother Debra J. Keller single handedly raised my brother, sister and I. I'm the baby of the siblings and had a good childhood. My mother loved and cared for us. I was baptized Lutheran at age two in Carlos. I went to Sunday School and confirmation growing up, but never was confirmed. The only father figure I had was my brother and he was seven years older than me. I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol at the age twelve (hence why I was never confirmed) to fit in at school and it caused problems in my life immediately. I started making poor choices and ended up in the juvenile detention center at age thirteen and was in and out of juvy my teenage years. At age seventeen, my brother Mike Craven, tragically died also at the hands of drunk driving and suddenly my entire world fell apart. My brother wasn't only my brother, but my best friend and father too. It tore me apart spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Most people told me that God took him for a reason, which cause my to turn my back on God and hate Him. I heavily used drugs for two years after my brother died and was in and out of jails and prisons my adult life. I have been arrested in 8 states, had over one hundred and seventy charges, been to jail more times than I can remember, and was in prison twelve times in Florida and Minnesota.
On February 5th, 2025 I took and Alford plea ( Also known as the "best-interests plea," it allows defendants to accept a plea deal, while maintaining innocence, and avoid the risk of a harsher sentence if found guilty by a judge or jury if it went to trial.) I took this type of plea because I was innocent and did not commit this crime. I also took plea for a chance to attend Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge in Alexandria, because I desperately wanted and needed the change to turn my life around and get out of this vicious cycle of drugs, alcohol, crime, jail, and prison. On February 7th, 2025 my dreams came true and I was admitted into Alexandria MNTC and on April 16th, 2025 I was the very first person to be baptized at Alexandria MNTC. Thanks to the Lord, the loving, kindhearted, joyous staff, fellow brothers at Alexandria MNTC, your (Jay's) faithful sermons, and loving congregation, I found salvation and am on fire for the Lord and want to share the Lord with everyone like the apostle Paul. (1 Corinthians13:10) After six and a half months at MNTC I was finally sentenced for the Alford plea I took on February 5th, at which point I was apprised by my lawyer, if I took this plea I would not go to prison. He convinced me, plea out, go to MNTC, do well and I would not go to prison. I believed him. On August 15th, 2025 I went to sentencing with MNTC staff, my seven year old daughter, my sixty seven year old momma at my side, and the Lord is always present. I was sentenced twenty seven months for a crime I did not even commit. While sitting here in prison I am still keeping faith. (Hebrews 12 28) I trust the Lord will prevail justice and I will be released from their false accusations. (Exodus 14:14)
Please, I am asking your congregation if you would keep myself, my family, and everyone involved in the court case in your prayers. Also, if you know a Christian lawyer that could help me pro-bono that would be great. Sam Anderson of MNTC is in touch with me.
I would love to communicate with anyone that has questions or comments.
Curt M. Craven #231050
M.C.F. - St. Cloud - Minnesota
P.O. Box
Phoenix, MD 21131
If you could help me financially, or with hygiene products, or with stationary, etc. please do so. I have no money and am struggling.
My mother Debra J. Keller is kind enough to care for my daughter while I am here, but she's not in the best of health and is struggling financially with not being able to work. Please, if you can find it in your hearts to help them both to ease the burden in her current situation, please help. Food, clothes, money, and/or help around the house, would be amazing.
Ask The Church in the Pines staff for her phone number.
Thank you all for your love and much consideration, along with your prayers. I love and miss you all very much and look forward to worshipping with you all in the future. God bless you all. Take care and may the Lord be with you! (Psalm 23)
Your brother in Christ,
Curt M. Craven
...............................................................................
I Curt M. Craven, am a man of God and have found salvation thanks to the guidance of the Lord, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge of Alexandria, and the strong faith and love of your congregation and sermons. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins (Romans 5:8) and God has given me hope and completely filled me with joy and peace, because I trust him. I am overflowing with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
My name is Curt M. Craven, I'm 41 years young. I was born in Parkers Prairie, raised in Miltona, and graduated at Jefferson Senior High in Alexandria. I have 4 beautiful kids, with full safe legal and physical custody of my only girl who is seven. My father Scott Craven died when I was 4 months old. He was hit by a drunk driver in front of my mother, me, and my siblings. My mother Debra J. Keller single handedly raised my brother, sister and I. I'm the baby of the siblings and had a good childhood. My mother loved and cared for us. I was baptized Lutheran at age two in Carlos. I went to Sunday School and confirmation growing up, but never was confirmed. The only father figure I had was my brother and he was seven years older than me. I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol at the age twelve (hence why I was never confirmed) to fit in at school and it caused problems in my life immediately. I started making poor choices and ended up in the juvenile detention center at age thirteen and was in and out of juvy my teenage years. At age seventeen, my brother Mike Craven, tragically died also at the hands of drunk driving and suddenly my entire world fell apart. My brother wasn't only my brother, but my best friend and father too. It tore me apart spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Most people told me that God took him for a reason, which cause my to turn my back on God and hate Him. I heavily used drugs for two years after my brother died and was in and out of jails and prisons my adult life. I have been arrested in 8 states, had over one hundred and seventy charges, been to jail more times than I can remember, and was in prison twelve times in Florida and Minnesota.
On February 5th, 2025 I took and Alford plea ( Also known as the "best-interests plea," it allows defendants to accept a plea deal, while maintaining innocence, and avoid the risk of a harsher sentence if found guilty by a judge or jury if it went to trial.) I took this type of plea because I was innocent and did not commit this crime. I also took plea for a chance to attend Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge in Alexandria, because I desperately wanted and needed the change to turn my life around and get out of this vicious cycle of drugs, alcohol, crime, jail, and prison. On February 7th, 2025 my dreams came true and I was admitted into Alexandria MNTC and on April 16th, 2025 I was the very first person to be baptized at Alexandria MNTC. Thanks to the Lord, the loving, kindhearted, joyous staff, fellow brothers at Alexandria MNTC, your (Jay's) faithful sermons, and loving congregation, I found salvation and am on fire for the Lord and want to share the Lord with everyone like the apostle Paul. (1 Corinthians13:10) After six and a half months at MNTC I was finally sentenced for the Alford plea I took on February 5th, at which point I was apprised by my lawyer, if I took this plea I would not go to prison. He convinced me, plea out, go to MNTC, do well and I would not go to prison. I believed him. On August 15th, 2025 I went to sentencing with MNTC staff, my seven year old daughter, my sixty seven year old momma at my side, and the Lord is always present. I was sentenced twenty seven months for a crime I did not even commit. While sitting here in prison I am still keeping faith. (Hebrews 12 28) I trust the Lord will prevail justice and I will be released from their false accusations. (Exodus 14:14)
Please, I am asking your congregation if you would keep myself, my family, and everyone involved in the court case in your prayers. Also, if you know a Christian lawyer that could help me pro-bono that would be great. Sam Anderson of MNTC is in touch with me.
I would love to communicate with anyone that has questions or comments.
Curt M. Craven #231050
M.C.F. - St. Cloud - Minnesota
P.O. Box
Phoenix, MD 21131
If you could help me financially, or with hygiene products, or with stationary, etc. please do so. I have no money and am struggling.
My mother Debra J. Keller is kind enough to care for my daughter while I am here, but she's not in the best of health and is struggling financially with not being able to work. Please, if you can find it in your hearts to help them both to ease the burden in her current situation, please help. Food, clothes, money, and/or help around the house, would be amazing.
Ask The Church in the Pines staff for her phone number.
Thank you all for your love and much consideration, along with your prayers. I love and miss you all very much and look forward to worshipping with you all in the future. God bless you all. Take care and may the Lord be with you! (Psalm 23)
Your brother in Christ,
Curt M. Craven
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
July
September
December