From Prison to Planting Churches: Sean Beaudoin (’18)
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | 3:41 PM
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Life rarely follows the path we expect, and for one Liberty University alumnus, the journey to ministry began in the unlikeliest of places Before enrolling at Liberty, he had accumulated six felony convictions and spent a combined eight years in county, state, and federal prisons, in addition to time in institutions and group homes. Just five days after his release from prison, everything changed.
“God rocked my world and changed my life forever,” he says. Determined to follow God’s calling, he became an intern pastor and enrolled at Liberty University. Here, he built a strong theological foundation that would prepare him for a lifetime of ministry.
Since graduating, God has opened doors beyond anything he could have imagined. For nearly 13 years, he has served in ministry, organizing and speaking at large evangelistic outreaches that have drawn between 5,000 and 7,000 people, with many making decisions to follow Christ
Three years ago, he and his wife answered another call from God by planting Hope Church San Diego. The church has experienced remarkable growth, baptizing 225 people before celebrating its third anniversary. Just one week before that milestone, they launched a second campus.
Even more encouraging, approximately 75% of those attending Hope Church have come to faith in Christ and been baptized since the church first opened its doors.
His story continues to unfold. Next month, he will begin writing a book that tells the story of where God has brought him from and the incredible journey of redemption that has followed.
Among his favorite Liberty memories, one stands above the rest: graduation.
“My graduation was the first time that I had ever graduated from anything,” he recalls. “I earned my GED while I was incarcerated, so walking across that stage was a huge milestone.”
He and his wife traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia, to celebrate the occasion, making the commencement ceremony on Liberty’s football field a moment they will never forget.
Looking back, he credits Liberty University with providing the theological groundwork and Christian worldview that continue to shape his ministry today. “I take these fundamentals with me everywhere I go,” he says. “Without Liberty University, I would not be where I am today.”
His advice for current students and soon-to-be graduates is simple but powerful:
“If God calls you to it, He will see you through it.”