Beyond the WallsEvangelistic Ministries · BooksSpeaking Engagements

Stories that reach beyond the walls

Books of truth,
faith & redemption.

Discover the authors and books presented by Beyond the Walls Evangelistic Ministries—real journeys written to encourage healing, growth, and a new beginning.

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Three books by Rev. Ralph W. Hawthorne
Featured authorRev. Ralph W. Hawthorne
Beyond the Walls Evangelistic Ministries
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Psalm 40:2 · KJV

News release · September 24, 2026

Rockford raised author offers book writing and publishing services

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Featured listening

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The author collection

Four voices. One message of hope.

01

Author · Elder · Speaker

Rev. Ralph W. Hawthorne

Born in Louisville, Mississippi, and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Rev. Ralph W. Hawthorne is an ordained elder, author, Bible teacher, and prison minister. His own journey through gangs, drugs, and street life shapes a message of redemption and restoration. He leads Beyond the Walls Evangelistic Ministries, teaches Scripture, and serves people in churches, prisons, and the community. His books share his testimony and offer hope to people facing addiction and other difficult turns in life.

Invite Ralph to speak ↗Ralph W. Hawthorne three-book collection
01

Pimp, Player, Preacher

My Life of Gangs, Guns, Drugs and God

A fearless testimony of survival, transformation, and the grace that carried a life from the streets into ministry.

$20 · Order ↗
02

Living Life on Life’s Terms

Faith, Forgiveness, and Freedom

Hard-earned wisdom about facing life honestly, trusting God completely, and choosing freedom through forgiveness.

$20 · Order ↗
03

Footsteps in the Dark

Overcoming Drug, Alcoholism, and Other Addictions

Hope for people and families walking through addiction, recovery, healing, and the search for a new beginning.

$20 · Order ↗

From the archives

Ralph in the Rockford Register Star

Newspaper coverage of Ralph’s testimony and his work with CeaseFire Rockford.

“The Corner”Rockford Register Star · August 27, 2005View full newspaper page ↗
“Future bleak without funds”Rockford Register Star · November 29, 2004View full newspaper page ↗

02

Testimony · Growth · Purpose

Samuel Tidwell

Samuel Tidwell is an author whose writing draws on his experience with incarceration, faith, and personal growth. In The Samuel Tidwell Story: Three Stages of Growth and Development, he shares his journey. His second book, From Prison to Purpose, uses his testimony to encourage former prisoners and young men to pursue responsibility, spiritual growth, and a new direction.

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The Samuel Tidwell Story: Three Stages of Growth and Development book coverFrom Prison to Purpose by Samuel Tidwell book cover
01

The Samuel Tidwell Story

Three Stages of Growth and Development

Sam Tidwell’s personal story of facing life, growing through experience, and living with faith and purpose.

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02

From Prison to Purpose

A Faith-Based Guide for Former Prisoners and Young Men · Book Two

A faith-centered guide using Sam’s testimony to encourage responsibility, spiritual growth, hope, and a transformed future.

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03

Life story · Strength · Perseverance

Karl V. Fort

Karl V. Fort is a Rockford, Illinois, native and author of Never Count Me Among the Broken Men. His memoir follows his journey through federal incarceration, education, and reentry. Today, his message centers on accountability, mentoring, housing stability, and helping people returning home find a path forward.

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Never Count Me Among the Broken Men by Karl V. Fort book cover
Never Count Me Among the Broken Men

04

Faith · Hope · Purpose

Leteena Hawthorne

Leteena Hawthorne is an author and Bible teacher whose work points readers toward hope and purpose in God’s grace. She co-hosts From the Streets to the Sanctuary with her husband, Rev. Ralph W. Hawthorne. Her upcoming book, The Well of Grace: Finding Hope and Purpose Through God’s Living Water, reflects her faith-centered message.

Coming Soon
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The Well of Grace by Leteena Hawthorne book cover
The Well of GraceFinding Hope and Purpose Through God’s Living Water · Coming Soon

Beyond the Walls Books

Every story can become a doorway to hope.

Read. Reflect. Share. Let these testimonies reach someone who needs to know that change is possible.

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