A Life Transformed by God's Grace
I’m Jeff Ellis, and my story is one of redemption, faith, and God’s unending love. For over 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing His hope in prisons, churches, and rescue missions, reminding people that God has not forgotten them. As the author of five books—including Beyond Reason: A Journey of Faith and Amazon bestsellers like Forgive and The Good Father—my passion is to encourage others to grow in faith, trust God for miracles, and discover His purpose for their lives.
From Brokenness to Breakthrough
I wasn’t always a minister or an author. For over 20 years, starting as a teenager, I was trapped in addiction to alcohol and tobacco. By the time I was 38, I was broke, jobless, homeless, and estranged from my three children, convinced there was no way out.
But in my darkest moment, I heard a simple truth: “God loves you and has a plan for your life.” That night, I surrendered my life to Jesus and asked Him to forgive me. In an instant, He set me free—no cravings, no withdrawal, just His grace.
From there, God began to restore everything I thought was lost. He gave me a home, brought healing to my family, and blessed me with my wife, Ginger—my partner in life and ministry. Today, we are surrounded by 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, a living testimony to His promise to restore what was lost (Joel 2:25).
That moment of salvation sparked a lifelong passion to know Jesus more and share His love with others.
Ministry and Mission
Since my salvation, I’ve served as a chaplain in jails in Illinois and Michigan, taught at Journey Family Church as Chairman of the Board of Elders, and volunteered with ministries such as Wayside Cross Rescue Mission and Global Action Ministries.
I’ve seen God heal hearts, break addictions, and work miracles—like Linda, a former inmate who regained her nursing license against all odds, or my daughter Jennifer, whose story of loss and hope led to the birth of her son, Joel. These testimonies, shared in Beyond Reason, remind us that God knows your name, sees your pain, and has a purpose for you.
Bridging Faith and the Marketplace
Alongside ministry, I spent over 30 years in financial services, leading teams at major institutions such as Shearson Lehman Hutton, Citibank, Bank of America, Liberty Mutual, and Benefit Bank Distributors. I’ve built programs from scratch to billions in assets, managed relationships with America’s top banks, and even earned recognition as Illinois Volunteer of the Year (2005).
My education in conflict resolution (M.A., Abilene Christian University) and practical theology (B.A., Logos Christian College) has equipped me to bridge faith and leadership—helping both church and business leaders walk in forgiveness, servant leadership, and biblical truth.
Whether I’m speaking to a corporate team or a prison congregation, my message is the same: Jesus is the prize, and His love changes everything (Matthew 13:45–46).
Why I Do This
I’ve been the broken man at rock bottom, the leader navigating high-stakes decisions, and the father praying desperately for his family. I know what it’s like to face challenges and discover hope in God’s presence.
That’s why I write, speak, and minister—to encourage you to trust Jesus, believe for the impossible, and experience His “forever love.” Through Beyond Reason, a 60-day devotional, I share real-life stories of miracles—cancer healings, divine provision, restored lives—so you too can press into God and believe Him for more.
My Invitation to You
Maybe you’re a single mom trying to hold it all together, an inmate longing for a fresh start, or a business owner feeling the weight of leadership. Wherever you find yourself, I want you to know this: no one is too far gone, and nothing is too broken for God to restore.
My story is living proof. And my prayer is that through my books, speaking, or even a simple prayer together, you would encounter the God who says, “Come!” (Revelation 3:20).
“Trouble comes. Life is full of loss, disappointment, worry, trouble. Knowing Jesus is our way through
without losing ourselves to discouragement and pain.”
Jeff Ellis
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