Annual Banquet Features Five-time Grammy Award Winning Artist Larnelle Harris in Support of Prison Prevention Ministries.

Chattanooga’s own Prison Prevention Ministries (PPM) will host five-time Grammy Award Winning singer Larnelle Harris at this year’s Annual Banquet, April 17, 2008 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The two-hour program includes dinner, the concert and testimonials from PPM volunteers and recipients as to the positive impact PPM has had on our community. Tickets are free, but must be reserved by April 9th by phone or on the organization’s web site.

Admired by peers and fans alike in a career that spans over three decades, Larnelle Harris was one of the first Christian artists to cross-racial barriers and build healing bridges with predominantly white churches that had never had a black singer on their platform. In addition to his Grammy and Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the gospel music community, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as “How Excellent Is Thy Name,” “I Miss My Time With You,” “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” plus many others, including his signature song, “Amen,” are now considered modern gospel classics. This year Harris was formally inducted into the prestigious Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music. He was the first Christian artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. His is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song “Mighty Spirit” as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history. World-renowned for his majestic tenor voice, one reviewer aptly declared, ”Larnelle could sing the phone book and inspire you!”

Founded in 1979, Prison Prevention Ministries is a local Christian organization that seeks to keep at risk youth from going to prison and empowering inmates never to return. For many inmates, prison provides a time to listen, reflect, and search the soul, and to come into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. PPM volunteers and staff serve in 8 regional prisons and jails bringing the Good News to men and women through Worship Services, Bible Studies, Discipleship Seminars and Revivals.

Also, through presentations in classrooms and school auditoriums, PPM works with at-risk children on the consequences of ending up in prison. Ex-offenders and other volunteers speak on the perils faced by kids in today’s complicated world. Going on a tour of a maximum-security prison lets youth see and hear first hand what prison life is like. During group and individual follow-up, PPM counselors can focus on what is going on in the student’s life, and present opportunities for hope in their situation.

Admission to the April 17, 2008 Prison Prevention Ministries’ Annual Partnership Banquet concert and program at the Chattanooga Convention Center is free. Tickets are required and must be reserved on or before April 9th by calling 423-622-5768 or on-line at www.prisonprevention.org.

The doors open at 6 P.M. with the concert beginning at 6:30 P.M. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, go through the buffet and be seated by 6:30 P.M. to dine during the concert. The program will end promptly at 8:30 p.m. Attendance by children under 14 years of age is not encouraged.

Join us for an evening of uplifting music by Grammy Award Winning Larnelle Harris and inspirational testimony from a few of our students and others involved in our ministry. Prison Prevention Ministries depends on the support of greater Chattanooga and North West Georgia area residents. This Banquet is an annual way to give thanks to those who support our work and to spread the message of past accomplishments and future goals to the entire region.

Info via Prison Prevention Ministries, Chattanooga, TN, and prisonprevention.org.