Darryl Burton made a promise, “Jesus, if you’re real and help me get out of this place, not only will I serve you, but I’ll tell the world about you.” God delivered on that promise and Darryl was exonerated after spending 24 years in prison

Today, Darryl is an associate pastor at the largest Methodist Church in the US, teaching the world about forgiveness and hope, even in the most desperate situations.

In 1984, a drug dealer was shot to death at a gas station in St. Louis, Missouri. The man who shot him was a light-skinned African American male, 5’5” in height. Police looked for suspects and even though Darryl Burton was dark skinned and 5’10” in height, he was summoned to a police line up. Two men came forward identifying Darryl as the murder. Both were awaiting trial, but were given a lighter sentence if they testified that Burton was guilty. Darryl Burton was assigned a public defender who spent only one hour with him before his trial and the jury convicted him in less than an hour. Darryl found himself being sentenced to life in prison without parole. He was assigned to the Missouri State Penitentiary, one of the most violent prisons in the U.S.  

After learning of a confession from a witness who admitted in 1985, “You have the wrong man, he’s too dark,” Darryl worked with Centurion Ministries to have his wrongful conviction overturned. Darryl often recalls a letter that he wrote to Jesus while imprisoned. It said “Jesus, if you’re real and help me get out of this place, not only will I serve you, but I’ll tell the world about you.”

Darryl now shares his nightmare story of adversity to help others and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ. Since 2008, he has spoken about forgiveness, redemption, and hope at churches, conferences and lectures around the globe. Seven years after his exoneration, he never takes one day for granted.

We’d like to welcome you to, Time For Forgiveness (TFF), a new podcast and community hatching from the movie and book, The Ravine. TFF offers free, virtual support in the form of podcasts, moderated group discussions and community support with others who are seeking or experiencing their own development with the process of forgiveness.

Have a question about your own journey through forgiveness or have a topic you'd like to see us cover? Send us an email! [email protected]

Follow us at @timeforforgiveness