2017 Jail and Prison Conference Announced
Cleveland, TN–The Office of Special Projects for Mission North America/USA Missions has announced the 2017 Church of God National Jail and Prison Ministry Leaders and Pastors Conference to be conducted October 5-6 in the Leadership and Communications Center of the Church of God International Offices.
This biennial conference is designed for church leaders, pastors, staff persons, evangelists and lay workers who do ministry, or aspire to do ministry in jails and prisons. The objective of the conference is to provide interaction among these individuals, and to provide inspiration and information.
The keynote speaker on Thursday night, October 5 will be Evangelist Frankie Palermo from Bradenton, Florida. Frankie grew up in the Palermo Mafia family. He became deeply involved in the inner workings of the Mafia, which led him to a life of crime including forgery, counterfeiting, bookmaking, burglary, interstate stolen securities of stocks and bonds, hijacking, arson, extortion, and murder. Frankie was given a 65-year prison term of which he served 15 years at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia. He served 12 more years on parole. While in prison in 1971, Frankie gave his life to Jesus Christ and became a new man. Now the Lord uses Frankie and His wife Judy to proclaim God’s love at prisons, churches, and conferences across America.
“There are more people presently under correctional supervision in the United States than the combined populations of Chicago and Los Angeles,” said Dr. James E. Cossey, conference coordinator. Currently, almost seven million persons are either behind bars, restricted by some type of work release program, or are on probation. While challenges still exist, county jails and state and federal prisons provide some of the most fertile soil for planting the seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One feature of this year’s conference will be testimonies of Church of God ministers and laity who were converted to Christ while incarcerated who are now living productive lives and advancing the Kingdom of God.
Additional speakers and the full schedule will be announced soon. The conference begins at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 5, continuing on the following morning, and concluding with the Friday night service.
Cossey is the Special Projects Coordinator for Mission North America/USA Missions, and he, along with the Divisional Director J. David Stephens, and USA Missions Director Mitch Maloney, encourages everyone to “save the date” and make plans to attend. For more information, call 423-478-7103.
