Bank robber finds true riches in Jesus Christ
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Michael Anders - or ‘Boogie’ as his friends affectionately call him - was addicted to gambling. It took control of his life. He started robbing banks to feed the addiction. He even robbed the bank that his wife worked at! Just when he thought he was going to be a professional bank robber - he got caught and was sent to prison. His life fell apart.
Michael Anders now runs a prison ministry in St. Louis. How did this amazing change happen? Michael - or ‘Brother Boogie’ as he is now called - will gladly tell you that Jesus Christ is who changed him. When we recently met him and asked if we could talk a little with him, he replied, “Only if I can talk about Jesus…”
Listen to him give God the glory as he talks about his current ministry and the events that led him to where he is today…
Want to contact Bro. Boogie? Here’s how:
Mike Anders’ Ministry
P.O. Box 10974
St. Louis, MO 63135
He’s also on the cover of this month’s Ferguson Times newspaper. Here’s the text from that news story:
The Forgotten People
This Holiday Season, we were reminded about a group of people that most of us do not want to deal with … prisoners. This reality was brought to mind recently when it was discovered that Jay Ferguson, owner of Ferguson Sofa and Sleep Center on Florissant Road in Downtown Ferguson, donated a beautiful bedroom set to “Brother Boogie,” the prison minister at Memorial Tabernacle on Paul Avenue. “Brother Boogie,” who’s real name is Michael Anders, went to prison for robbing banks to feed his gambling addiction. He now helps ex-convicts to make a fresh start by finding them jobs and homes. While in prison, Anders was asked to attend a prayer group where they told him about Jesus and forgiveness. ‘That sounded pretty good to me,” says Anders. He promised to give up gambling and to live a Christian life. Anders now visits the workhouse on Hall Street and the Clayton Justice Center where he “Shares the word of God and tries to instill hope and encouragement to guys who have been abandoned by their families and don’t have anyone to help when they’re released,” he says. He provides counseling to prisoners before they’re freed and offers them religious teachings. He tries to find them jobs, has a clothing bank and a food bank, even provides transportation when needed. Recently he applied and was given a $5,000 grant from the very bank that he robbed. He is funded by church groups and companies and individuals who contribute regularly. “People coming out of prison need help so that they don’t go back to their old ways,” says Anders. “If I can keep just one drug addict from committing crimes, everybody wins.” So what is “Brother Boogie” going to do with the bedroom set? “I’m going to have a silent auction,” says Anders. ‘This set is worth $3,000 and we are going to start the bid at 500.” If you would like to bid and contribute to a worthy cause for the forgotten people, call 314-605-7173.
Related Links:
- Casino Watch - Brother Boogie, from bank robber to Minister
- Troubled with… gambling
- Should We Give Tax Breaks to Casinos?
Tags: News and Media, Podcasts, Theology
