Concert gives glory and support

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Photo by ADRIANA TORRES Cora Harvey Armstrong belts out a song at a gospel concert Saturday at Free Gospel Church of Bryans Road. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Deborah Corley, director of the prison ministry of the Minister's Alliance of Charles County and Vicinity, welcomed guests to a gospel concert Saturday at the Free Gospel Church that she said served two purposes: to give glory to God and to support the ministry's efforts.

Cora Harvey Armstrong's performance was held at the Bryans Road church during which Armstrong, a talented singer and musician, delivered a gospel concert titled, "To God Be the Glory."

Before the concert began, the Rev. Reginald Kearney addressed the crowd of about 25 people thanking God for allowing attendees to gather in support of the community and ex-offenders. The gospel concert was developed to raise money "to operate the ministry and do what the Lord has tasked us to do," he said, adding that the efforts are about helping our "brothers and sisters coming out from behind the walls."

During his welcome, Kearney reminded listeners of the ministry's collaborative efforts with the Point of Change Jail and Street Ministry, a nonprofit faith-based organization at the Charles County jail. According to the Charles County Sheriff's Office Web site, Point of Change is "designed to offer spiritual assistance, educational and emotional rehabilitation to incarcerated men and women."

Through a collaborative effort with "local churches, agencies, organizations and professionals in the community," Point of Change is also able to provide transitional services for the inmates when they re-enter society, the Web site states. Chaplain John A. Lewis, the founder of the organization, "coordinates the efforts of citizens and volunteers who desire to administer outreach programs to inmates who have been released. It offers religious services, one-on-one professional visits, academic classes and aftercare resources."

Corley and Kearney highlighted the fact that the gospel concert fundraiser is part of the community's efforts to ensure that released inmates have a fighting chance to improve their lives. She finds there is a great need for support services dedicated to helping prisoners whom she said often have no home, no clothing and no food when they are released.

During her opening remarks, Corley said, "Let the Lord speak to your heart about how you can help this population." In trying to fight against recidivism rates in Charles County, Corley highlighted two things released prisoners must have if they are going to succeed: housing and job skills. If they lack those, she said, it won't be "long before they go back to those things that got them into the institution."

Kearney said that the ministry is trying to help the released prisoners meet their "transformation goals," with the hopes that once "they come out, they don't return." Kearney encouraged anyone in the audience who may be willing to help in the effort to do so. It "takes a whole community," he said.

The Rev. Dr. Larry Finch, vice president of the Ministers Alliance, introduced Armstrong to the stage saying she has been a blessing throughout the region and has blessed "hearts, minds and souls through the gift God has given her." When Armstrong took the stage and began praising God, with the help of reverent cheers from the crowd, she didn't fail to sing a lyric that corresponded with the purpose of the day: "We got an agenda God, we need some money, but we need to hear from you Lord," she sang.