Submitted by Linda Gonzales Battle
Our first week PTI (Pre Trial Intervention) meeting was held on Monday, June 27, 2011 at the Riverdale Community Center.
The purpose of this meeting was to sponsor a program by the Solicitor’s office called PTI, which consists of “First Time Offenders” who have been charged with non-violent crimes. This is an eight week program that consists of various speakers who share their ideas. In these sessions, there is a question and answer session.
The meeting was opened by Rev. Michael Battle, chaplain, with prayer. He talked to the new participants about the rules and regulations of the program. He encouraged them to take heed to all of the speakers’ comments. Rev. Battle discussed the different aspects of helping other spiritually and financially. He talked about the choices you make and the consequences. In closing, Rev. Battle stated that there are two choices, heaven or hell. He also introduced the speakers.
Frank Williams, Dillon Congregational Holiness Church, gave background information on himself. He told the participants that if you are not in the family of God, you are going to hell. His topic, “The road you are going down.” He stated he wanted to encourage them and lift them up. The only way you can do this is to put Jesus first in your life. We all have sinned. Your friends will get you into trouble. When you get into trouble, your so called friends are gone. He stated it took him to reach rock bottom before he got his life together. If he had listened to his parents, he would have accepted Christ long ago. You will have trials and tribulations, but you must trust god and he will lead and guide you. He talked about how God used him to minister to his friends. He encouraged the participants to take heed to what he is telling them. In closing, Mr. Williams stated that he wanted to tell everybody about God’s goodness because he does
not want anyone to go down the road he’s been. Don’t waste your life like he did.
Betty Legette, Manning Baptist Church, told the participants don’t give up no matter what. She stated that because of PTI, she is still clean, which is 5 years drug free. She stated that when you do something bad, everybody talks about you. But when you do something good, nobody talks about you. Ms. Legette stated as long as she goes to church, works and pays her bills, she knows God will take care of her. She encouraged the participants not to give up. In closing, Ms. Legette stated that whatever you do, do it for yourself and nobody else. This is your second chance, take it and run with it. Talk to Mr. Williams if you have a problem.
