May 22, 2025
He Was a Criminal at 10 Years Old… Now He’s a Pastor: Danny Marquez’s Testimony of Redemption
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In this gripping and deeply redemptive episode, Karina sits down with Pastor Danny Marquez—a man whose story of transformation is nothing short of miraculous. Abandoned as a child, drawn into the streets of the Bronx by age ten, and facing 45 years in prison for a string of robberies, Danny’s life was on a path of destruction. But in the darkest corner of a jail cell, everything changed.
Danny shares how a victim he brutally assaulted looked him in the eyes and said, “May God bless you”—a moment that haunted and humbled him. What followed was an encounter with God that radically altered his identity, purpose, and future. From earning his GED in prison through reading the King James Bible, to launching youth ministries and leading a church today, Danny’s journey is a living testimony of God’s grace and power to restore.
Now the CEO of Victory in the City and a campus pastor in Indianapolis, Danny is on a mission to reach at-risk youth and transform communities through faith, mentorship, and discipleship. If you’ve ever wondered if redemption is possible—this episode will answer with a resounding yes.
Episode Highlights:
- – Growing up in the Bronx and being abandoned as a baby
- – First encounter with the streets at age ten
- – A robbery spree that led to being arrested and facing decades in prison
- – The unforgettable words that sparked his repentance: “May God bless you”
- – Finding Jesus in jail, reading the Bible with a fourth-grade reading level
- – The power of transformation, one verse at a time
- – Starting over after prison and finding his calling in ministry
- – Founding Victory in the City and discipling youth through real-life outreach
- – How Danny now builds the very communities he once helped destroy
Time-Stamps:
- [00:01:22] Danny’s introduction and ministry mission
- [00:02:03] Abandonment, adoption, and early search for belonging
- [00:10:00] From stealing for acceptance to a full-blown criminal lifestyle
- [00:13:21] The robbery that changed everything and his arrest
- [00:25:25] God meets Danny in a jail cell
- [00:30:00] A life-changing moment with Ephesians 4:28
- [00:36:00] Overcoming addiction, profanity, and a fourth-grade reading level
- [00:39:21] Earning his GED and embracing education in prison
- [00:40:15] God gives Danny a vision to rebuild the communities he once hurt
- [00:44:00] Launching youth ministry and learning nonprofit leadership
- [00:49:08] Victory in the City is born—changing lives through faith and discipleship
About the Guest:
Danny Marquez is a pastor, nonprofit leader, and founder of Victory in the City, a youth-focused ministry in Indianapolis. After spending years in prison and encountering God in the most unexpected way, Danny now uses his story and voice to empower inner-city youth, develop future leaders, and bring hope to broken communities.
Connect with Danny & Victory in the City:
Learn more about Danny and his work with Victory in the City here.
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