I Am Second, a Dallas project launched in 2008, presents a story of redemption about one man who, after having 27 arrests and becoming a convicted felon, found God inside prison. His is a powerful story of saving grace and healing!
Michael Molthan grew up in a wealthy home in the suburbs of Dallas, graduated from Plano High School, and established a home-building business; he was recognized for over 25 years as one of the best luxury home builders in the country.
In this 10-minute video, Michael first explains how his drug and alcohol use and related behaviors took over his life and resulted in him being arrested an astonishing 27 times in four years! Michael recalls knowing that with his 27th mugshot, he would be going to prison for a long time. He landed in Bradshaw State Prison in Henderson, Texas in an “aggravated assault tank,” where the prisoners were murderers and serving life sentences. Michael had never committed crimes of that nature.
At 2:00 minutes, Michael shares that he had been sexually abused by his grandfather from a very young age. He experienced tremendous confusion because of that betrayal, and he tried to kill himself when he was in high school. Michael’s drug and alcohol use began then, but it was years later when he had his first arrest.
Michael returns to the story of his time in prison, sharing that he’d gotten a copy of The Life Recovery Bible from another inmate and began reading it to his cellmate, who was unable to read or write. Michael describes that within four days of reading, he’d begun to feel less anxious and more calm, and he’d begun to relate to the men of the Bible.
On July 7, 2017, Michael woke up and had an uncanny feeling of release. He breathed deeply out, expelling years of hate and resentment. Then, he breathed deeply in, a refreshing rush of cold air and with that a feeling of incredible love for those around him.
He continued reading the Bible, and now more and more of his tank mates were listening. The men in the tank grew closer as Michaels reading continued, and his reading of God’s Word was changing lives!
Michael was released almost by accident in October of 2017. Released with nothing and not sure where to go, he went first to see Judge Jennifer Bennett, the judge who had sentenced him. During that visit, Judge Bennett pardoned Michael and requested that he continue doing the very thing he’d been doing in jail. So, he did.
With the peace that comes from serving others instead of oneself, Michael has spent the years since his release sharing his story and ministering to others about God’s forgiveness and His ability to use every person—no matter what their truth is!
Michael's addictions cost him everything, including his family and friends, his marriage, his kids, his business, and his freedom. Now, Michael values his relationship with Jesus Christ more than anything else, and he desires to help others to find the true freedom that is possible only through Him!
Michael Molthan is also known as M2 The Rock. You can hear more from him at his YouTube channel.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7
