Area Ministers Give Encouragement to Offenders

By: Delanda S. Johnson

Special to the News

On Saturday, December 2, area ministers from Johnson Chapel AME Church, Church of Living God, Antioch Baptist Church, and New Hope Corinth CME Church carried words of encouragement to approximately 200 offenders at the Coffield Unit located in Tenn. Colony, Texas.

Assistant Warden Steven Swift stated, “This is the season for showing goodwill toward your fellow man and to let everyone know that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Thanks to the Ministers from the Henderson County area who took time out of their busy schedule to come to the Coffield Unit to minister to the offenders.”

Coffield Unit Chaplain Dan Rose welcomed the Minister to the Unit; while Rev. Haney, Rev. F. Thomas, Rev. Jackson, Rev. Pettiford, and Rev. Moore lead the Praise & Worship service. The Coffield Unit choir stirred the congregation with songs of Zion, to set the atmosphere so that the Spirit of the Lord could enter in. In short, the house was on FIRE.

With the theme “Saying YES to God,” Evangelist Alma Berry from Johnson Chapel AME Church preached on Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2). Berry stated that Jonah was a man who did not want to answer the call that was given to him by God.

“No matter where you are and whatever situation that you are in, God will find you. God knows all and sees all, HE will lift all of your burdens, you must be real with GOD,” stated Berry.

“By running from God, Jonah in other words spent three days in HELL, but knew that he had to say YES to God and do HIS will,” said Berry.

Berry encouraged all the offenders to look to God for the answers to all of their problems, but when GOD calls you, you must say YES and not runaway.

The second speaker, Rev. Haywood Thomas from Antioch Baptist Church preached on Paul (Roman 2:15). Thomas stated that Paul was a man who persecuted the church.

Thomas stated, “that your mine may be telling you one thing, but your physical body is doing another. This is the way is was with Paul, his mine was telling him NO, but his body was saying YES.”

Thomas wanted the offenders to know that the Devil will try to get at you anyway that he can. Therefore, you must always put on the full Armour of GOD.

“The Devil is a LIAR, he is a PLAYER-HATER, and he wants you his side. However, just like Paul, God will knock you down and you will surrender all to GOD. The power of the LORD will make everything all right. So just say YES to GOD,” said Thomas.

The final speaker, Bishop Annell Haney from the Church of the Living God, PGT summarized and preached on Mary and Joseph. (Luke 1:27-39)

Haney stated that like Jonah and Paul, Mary was a woman who said YES to GOD.

“Joseph was a man who had a hard time saying yes, but God showed him that HE was in control and to look to HIM for all answers,” said Haney.

Haney wanted the offenders to know that they’re confined, that GOD has ways of using them no matter where you are.

“GOD will make a way out of no way, so just say YES and answer the call when HE knocks on the door. GOD is your all and all, so surrender and “Say YES to GOD,” said Haney.