His life was transformed through faith and education. Now he aims to give back to others

A Stillwater veteran who spent more than 45 years in and out of prison aims to help others now that his life has been transformed through faith and education at a local Christian university.

Keith Barton, 67, said he became connected to a prison ministry while he was incarcerated and he began studying the Bible, finding love, hope and purpose. Eventually, he began leading a prison Bible study and it was after teaching a Bible lesson to his fellow inmates one evening, that he realized the Lord was offering him a choice on how to live once he was released.

He could go back to the criminal lifestyle he'd maintained off and on since he was in his late teens, or he could do something completely different.

"The Lord was giving me an opportunity to straighten out my life and I knew that if I didn't get out and get connected with the church, that I was going to end up back in there prison," Barton said.

"That's the options I was looking at, either spending the rest of my life in a penitentiary, ending up dead, or doing something for the Lord."

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When he said goodbye to prison for good, he enrolled in Mid-America Christian University. He graduated from the university in May, almost 50 years after graduating from high school.

Through his Christian faith, his university education and the fellowship of the Rev. Calvin Miller and Stillwater's New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Barton decided he would return to prison one day to share his testimony. He now visits the Oklahoma County jail as a member of New Zion's outreach team, determined to tell inmates that he has been in their shoes and that he comes offering help and hope.

A committed student

Barton graduated from MACU in May with a 3.9 grade average and a bachelor of science in Christian ministries.

He was selected as Online Student of the Year for the university's Christian ministries program, and Julie Nance, associate professor and program director for the university's school of Christian ministries, had good things to say about him.

"Keith Barton is one of those rare students who comes along that you hate to see graduate because of the joy they bring to each course," Nance said.

She said he was a "superb thinker and researcher" who demonstrates his passion for God's word through prison ministry.

"His life experiences help him connect with the inmates and provide a pathway for them to trust his Gospel message," Nance said.

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"We often shared in great bantering sessions throughout the weekly discussions. I appreciated how he pushed me on the course topics. I was always excited when he was enrolled in the next course I taught. I can't wait to see what comes next for Mr. Barton as he pursues graduate work. I hope that, someday, he can come back as an instructor for MACU."

Barton said he does intend to return to his university studies, this time in pursuit of a master's degree in divinity specializing in biblical studies.

He said he'll continue going to the jail to offer support and guidance to inmates. And, he hopes to create a ministry for young people in juvenile detention. Barton said he wants to prevent young people from making some of the mistakes he made.

The recent graduate said his children often tell him that they are proud of him. He said he has told them that any praise and gratitude for his transformed life belongs to God.

"I'm doing all this for the Lord," Barton said.

"I want to give him the best that I can because he's given me the best that he can."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: His life was transformed through faith and education. Now he aims to give back to others