From Crack to Christ: A Witness Hits Booksellers Nationwide -- Raw Memoir Recounts Remarkable Redemptive Journey of Former Prostitute, Convict
New York (PRWEB) March 3, 2009 -- "He should've killed me when he had the chance!" When April Cofield Essix delivers those chilling words in her motivational speeches, folks sit up and take notice. Within the last year alone, more than 2,000 people have heard that statement, and it has changed their lives.
A former notorious Long Island career prostitute, crack addict and prison inmate, Ms. Essix is an authority on being hooked on a destructive lifestyle. She speaks boldly about the behavior that almost took her life and the one power on earth strong enough to help her live through it. From Crack to Christ: A Witness is the written testimony of her life, and, for readers, a voice that speaks from experience of a pandemic that has gripped millions across the nation for decades.
"This book will set captives free," said Ms. Essix, a self-professed servant of God. "It gives hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless. If people feel like they're a hostage to drugs, prostitution, depression, hardships, or whatever, it helps them realize things about themselves that even they didn't know."
From Crack to Christ: A Witness, a powerful memoir insightfully co-authored with candid commentary by Robin Carmon Marshall, chronicles the improbable redemptive journey of Ms. Essix who, with God's help, decided 14 years ago that enough was enough - and has been clean ever since. As director of the prison ministry at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt, N.Y., for the past 11 years, Ms. Essix dedicates her life to reaching back and pulling others out of the same sordid depths from which she climbed. She has no apprehension about sharing her past life to the world.
"I can't be ashamed," said Ms. Essix. "I'm called to tell everyone that God loves us and we do overcome. Real people do real things, and unfortunately a lot of it is bad. So I can't get real with people unless I'm real with myself first.
Ms. Marshall, a close friend of Ms. Essix from church, wrote From Crack to Christ: A Witness after years of keeping painstakingly detailed journals transcribed from Ms. Essix's spoken recollections, personal tours of old drug and prostitution haunts, and independent research.
"I have to say that this was a God-ordained assignment," Ms. Marshall said. "This was not something that was planned. I was in school fulltime and a wife and mother, so I didn't have time for anything extra, especially writing a book. But I just couldn't get April's story out of my head."
Part of the book's appeal is that the story is told in first person alternately from the points of view of Ms. Essix or Ms. Marshall. "I thought that if I'm thinking something in particular, then others must be too. So if the reader doesn't always identify with April, then they might identify with some things I'm saying."
Reader response so far has been overwhelming and deeply emotional. "This book was written for the lost, the least, and the last and their family members," Ms. Marshall said.
Robin Carmon Marshall contributed to writing this press release.
###
This press release has been reprinted from PRWEB per the terms and conditions of the copyright notice.
|
|
 |
 |
No Yachting in Heaven!
No Yachting in Heaven Revelation 21:1-6
New Online Bible Study Lessons Unlock the Mystery to Life’s Crucial Questions
Since early times, mankind has asked why we are here, where is the world headed, and what is in store for us? Christians believe the Bible holds the key to these questions, but many have difficulty interpreting the meaning of Bible scripture. The United Church of God now offers bible study lessons that will enable individuals to clearly appreciate the valuable lessons offered in the Bible. For convenience and easy-access worldwide, the Church provides its bible study online. The bible study lessons are easy to use and understand, and they provide the biblical answers to the mysteries of life.
The Coming Out of God
It is ironic that in a world of God worshippers, none of them would recognize God if they seen him/her, eyeball to eyeball. In fact in our present state of evolution if we did recognize him, we would probably stick him up on a cross or make ceramic dolls in his image. As a race we don't like to see our gods in person. We are much more comfortable following in our ancestor's footprints with symbols of gods.
Online Bible Study Can Enhance Home School Curriculum
The United Church of God has begun providing free curriculum for homeschooling parents. It's not often that we get anything for free anymore, but the Church of God offers numerous publications and courses, all without cost. These courses are perfect tools for Christian home-schooling parents. As more parents move away from sending their children to schools that do not allow mention of God and the Bible, they are looking for ways to incorporate Bible Scripture into their children's daily studies. The Church's online bible study course is an excellent resource and tool for educating children about life's major questions.
Church Building and Church Buildings
Church building is a term used to designate both the physical building of a church facility, and the spiritual building of a group of people into a unified body of believers. The physical church buildings are made of wood, stone, mortar, and brick, but the act of spiritual church building comes at the cost of evangelism, preaching, and teaching.
Church Chairs and Used Church Chairs
Church chairs are the most important piece of furniture a congregation can own and when they are in limited supply can hurt the attendance of the congregation and affect the message being taught in the sanctuary. When church members must stand for long periods of time, their focus is turned to the fact that the room does not have enough church chairs instead of the important truths being dispersed by the pastor on stage.
Nowhere to Rest!
Luke 9:57-62 Nowhere to Rest! As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Sealed With the Holy Spirit
At the moment of salvation when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and
Savior, three most amazing things will happen. The first is that we get
automatic forgiveness for all of our sins - all past, present and future
sins that we will ever commit.
Tradition, Religion Of Christian Churches
Tradition, Religion Of Christian Churches
Growing Spiritually By Carl Marshall
The key to growing one's faith is to understand faith and how it works: How Faith Works, by Dr. Frederick K. C. Price, is a book I strongly recommend. Visit www.faithdome.org for more information.
The Search for Gods Intention
I believe in the source we refer to as 'God'. This is the powerful Universal Energy from which all that is manifests.
Find A Church Using Church Directory
People share their feelings or belief with some one or with some group of place. Church is a place which is formed for some associated people to share their beliefs, traditions and feelings. US churches are in more number and selecting a church or find a church is not the difficult task for the people. Online church directories are available to enable the people to find a church in us church. Christian churches are available in more number in US and this US churches forms in different denominations. Church of Christ is Baptist church, Catholic Church and Pentecostal church and many other kinds of church.
Church Signs and Outdoor Church Signs
Church signs have been known to stop people on the side of the road to ask what they are. Outdoor church signs are mostly known for being right outside of the church with the thought of using it to attract new people to the church.
Mindset - Being Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
The Bible tells us that one of the main goals God has in store for each of us is our transformation. The Bible tells us that God wants to sanctify us - to make us more Holy like He is.
Existence of God: Facts and Figures Does God Exist?
Existence of God: facts and figures Does God exist?If you are a theist..
|
 |
|
