From Prison to Purpose: Restoring Hope for Incarcerated Youth in Central America

What happens when a life shaped by violence, poverty, and abandonment meets consistent love, purpose, and the message of the Gospel?

In this powerful episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Greg Harris, Executive Director of Counteract International, to explore the realities facing incarcerated youth in Central America—and the transformative work being done to restore their lives.

Drawing from his book Counteract: Walking Alongside Incarcerated Youth in Central America from Prison to Purpose, Greg shares firsthand stories of young men and women caught in cycles of crime, broken homes, and gang culture—and how mentorship, faith-based education, and intentional relationships are helping them rewrite their futures.

Together, they unpack:

• The harsh realities of juvenile detention in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala

• The “battle within” every young person must face when choosing their path

• Why relationship—not just programs—is the key to lasting transformation

• The critical role of faith in restoring identity, dignity, and purpose

• The high cost of inaction—and why this mission matters now more than ever

This conversation is both sobering and deeply hopeful, challenging listeners to reconsider how we see justice, redemption, and our responsibility to the most vulnerable.

👉 If you’ve ever wondered whether real change is possible in the hardest places—this episode will show you that it is.

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To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

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