Children in the community are invited to hear first hand stories from former inmates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in New Orleans.
Rev. Lashunda Hopkins, the youth pastor at Pilgrim Bound Baptist Church, said she has been trying to have the inspirational speakers come to the Picayune area for two years, and was recently successful in working with New Orleans area pastor Cynthia Toney to book the event.
During the event, to be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Bound Baptist Church, children 9 years and older will hear about the importance of making positive life choices.
Hopkins has heard the presentations from the group of inspirational speakers before, and seen the impact those stories had on the young people in attendance.
In those stories about life, the men will tell the children that the gang life is not the path to a positive end result in life. Some of the speakers were sentenced to life in prison, but were released early and used the experience to turn their lives around and become pastors.
Their message to the children will be to be obedient to their parents, seek a good education by going to school and form a solid foundation with Christ so they can make positive life choices.
“Jail is not the right way,” Hopkins said.
The event will be free and open to the public, but donations will be appreciated.
After the event, lunch will be served to all in attendance.