PROJECT TURNAROUND

Delegation Of Hope Wants To Chase Drug Use Out Of Mansfield

MANSFIELD -- Ben Mutti, the Rev. El Akuchie, Don Merritt and Gilbert
Howell believe Mansfield and Richland County can be
transformed.

Their example is Manchester, in Clay County, Kentucky.

That city was transformed from being known as the "painkiller
capital" to the "city of hope" after a 2004 march by local churches,
law enforcement, government officials and residents protesting local
drug abuse. "Community transformation is a culture where values and
institutions are overrun by the grace of God; a society in which
natural change has been disrupted by invasive supernatural power,"
Mutti said.

Getting the world's attention through media publicity, 43 states and
five nations have contacted Manchester about its stand against drugs.

On March 23 and 24, the "Delegation of Hope," -- Mutti, Akuchie, and
Merritt -- visited Manchester to talk with the city's mayor, sheriff,
local media, pastors and residents about the community
transformation.

"Many of the interviews disclosed a vice-like grip drug addiction had
on their city and how the march of May 2, 2004, brought a pulse back
to their community," Mutti said.

"The contrast seen after this climactic event was so evident that not
only were political leaders acknowledging God and promoting justice
and righteousness, but also businesses like the local Wal-Mart were
awarding its employees for the 'best Christian witness,' and its
customers lining up at the checkout line to be prayed for," he said.

After witnessing the Kentucky community's experience, the men formed
a group called the Christians and Concerned Citizens for a Drug Free
Richland County. Their goal is to get drugs and drug dealers out of
Mansfield.

"The Lord said he wanted me to contact all the leaders in the city
and connect them together because they had their backs turned and the
drug dealers were coming in from other cities and taking over our
streets," Howell said. "The Lord says use the churches, the
neighborhood watches and help the police department to take back the
streets from the drug dealers."

Through Project Turn Around, they hope to achieve renewed justice,
increased volunteerism, regional influence and deliverance.

A "march of commitment" will be led through the city from its north
and south ends at 3 p.m. Oct. 28. There will be two starting points:
Main Street United Methodist Church, 230 S. Main St., and Mount
Calvary Baptist Church, 343 N. Main St. The groups start forming at
2 p.m. and converge in Central Park downtown on the square.

"By marching we are saying 'No more!' " Howell said. "We want drug
dealers to know we are praying for them to get saved or be busted. We
are also asking our court system and law enforcement to be tough on
drug dealers."

Mutti asked Mansfield City Council Tuesday to be part of the project.
The group hopes local government, law enforcement, churches and
residents will support the rally by marching and making a commitment
to rid the city of drugs.

"After the Manchester pilgrimage, it was concluded with the idea that
spiritual intimacy can impact societal health, and spiritual renewal
can produce political reform," Mutti said. "A determined activism,
combined with persevering prayer, can change a district that matches
Bourbon Street to a location that can compare with Sesame Street.

"If it can happen in Clay County, it can happen in Richland County."