Chicago/Cook County, IL WOC Thank You Letter
96 acres of cement, 11,000 detainees and the largest jail in the US in one location all describe one place… Cook County Department of Corrections… Weekend of Champions returned to this place that once held Al Capone, and Frank Nitty. 10 years ago for a 5 year period we served in Cook County Jail with the great Mike Singletary as one of our Platform Guests. This weekend will go down in the history books of our Lord as a fantastic weekend where over 2355 inmates made life changing decisions for Christ. Executive Director, Tony Godinez has given 36 years believing a person can be changed, opened his doors to our ministry August 2 and 3. Mr. Godinez first met me during a WOC event during the 1980s while he was a Warden at Statesville and again later at Michigan City IN. How providential the trip around that prison on a golf cart turned out to be. Tony said, “as long as I’m running this prison you will be invited back yearly”.
We all know an event this size takes great planning, and Lou Korom as head coach, put together a great group. First class from Hospitality to Transportation! Lou, there are jewels in heaven for you, your local leadership team and above all our Teammates. What an exceptional event from start to finish.
Rudy Ruetigger joining us for the first time added such a unique touch to Spiritual Enrichment. Mike Adamle, (I played pro ball with his dad), also joined us for the first time. We are continuously praying for the Lord of the Harvest to bring forth laborers, and we are seeing answers to those prayers.
Another wonderful praise report was Jeff Hepner, this event was the maiden voyage for him as a prison event director. He has worked for months with Lou Korom, Tully Blanchard, and the Local Team coordinating with the Jail staff. Well done good and faithful servant!
10 years ago we saw 489 Teammates lead 4908 Detainees to the Lord. We only had a fourth as many teammates this time but they were still able to lead 2355 to make a decision for Christ. Truly a Gideon’s Army story, but what would have happened if we had those 489 this trip to Cook County like we did before? I’m sure at least twice as many decisions, if not more.
As Lou has kept up with the crime statistics in Chicago …… 1998 Chicago crime rate drastically dropped after our 5 years in the Cook County Jail. In the 10 years since our last WOC event crime has soared. You make the conclusion … We are back and we know GOD WINS!
Pray for us as we go now to Sioux Falls. Please join as a teammate when you can.
In Him as Always
With Love,
Bill Glass
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