Pictured from left to right are Pastor Paul Hamrick, Darryl Strawberry, and Pastor Bill Watson.
Pastor Bill Watson and Joe Lippi from Turn Right Go Straight and Pastor Paul Hamrick of New Hope Recovery from Van Wert attended the Epidemic of Hope event in Circleville. They joined over 500 area wide community leaders, law enforcement, church leaders and concerned family members who listened as Darryl And Traci Strawberry, Recovery Specialist Pastor Greg DeLaney, Attorney General Mike DeWine, Pastor Jack O’Brien Harvest Ministries and others communicated about the opiate crisis that is devastating our state, counties and communities economically, socially and spiritually. Not only did they share the magnitude of the disaster that Ohio is presently facing but also communicated how across Ohio the call is that “Enough is Enough”.
It is time we come together as a united team: the faith community, law enforcement, courts and probation, business community, mental health, recovery services and state and local government to bring together our resources to defeat this darkness that is robbing us of our future and the lives of our young adults. Ohio has become the epicenter of opiate overdose deaths in America and Dayton has been reported to be the number one drug city in the US today.
But there is HOPE if we determine to work together to give our state, counties and communities a better future than we are facing now. Hope is the reason the Van Wert County Ministerial Association and area churches have determined to be pro-active against the opioid/drug crisis. No longer can we have our heads in the sand or ignore the tragedy that is soon to become a tsunami sweeping our nation, state, communities and homes.
The V.W. Ministerial Association is so excited to bring The Epidemic of Hope event with Darryl and Tracie Strawberry and others to our area on April 15 to our marvelous Niswonger Performing Arts Center. From 4pm to 5pm will be youth event while Darryl will be speaking, we will be bringing a prevention specialist to share from 4-5 pm youth leaders, coaches, and families. At 7:00pm will be the Tri-County Main Event evening program at the NPAC. This is ticketed event (you must have a ticket to attend).
The V.W. Ministerial wanted to have as many as possible people to attend so that is why, with cooperation the NPAC the evening is totally FREE. The V.W. Ministerial Association is receiving donations from Churches, Compassionate Community Minded Businesses and individuals to underwrite this event. For more information about the Epidemic of Hope please contact Pastor Paul at 419-771-9378 or to become a co-sponsor or donate please call Trinity Friends Church at 419-238-4506.
