‘No Man Left Behind’ gives ex-addicts hope
“No Man Left Behind” will hold its kickoff meeting at 6 p.m. May 18 at Pricedale Union Church, 203 Johnson Ave., Belle Vernon.
No Man Left Behind is a men’s ministry designed to give ex-convicts, prisoners, drug addicts, alcoholics and those with other forms of addiction real hope for a better life through a reliance upon Jesus Christ.
The ministry will be under the supervision of Ralph Stone, a deacon, counselor and teacher at Pricedale Church. The “nuts and bolts” of the program however, will be handled by Eric Johnson, a retired security guard for the Department of Corrections in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
In addition to spending 27 years working in the prison sector, Johnson is an ordained minister with a congregation in Duquesne. He has pastored for 16 years at several churches, including one in Donora.
He also is an energetic motivational speaker who has been used by Intermediate units in Allegheny County. He currently heads another chapter of “No Men Left Behind,” which meets every Tuesday evening at St. George Church of Uniontown.
In 1990, Johnson also organized a group for troubled youth called “Lean on Me.”
On a more personal note, Johnson was a Big 33 all-star selection in football as a member of the class of 1977 Clairton Bears. He received a scholarship to Marshall University. He has been married to his wife, Roxanne, for 30 years, and they have raised seven children.
Johnson will be assisted by Ron Calabro. Calabro is the Southwestern Pennsylvania regional director of the Yokefellowship Prison Ministry, which is designed to help inmates and ex-offenders yoke themselves to Jesus Christ for salvation and changed lives. Calabro’s influence and referral abilities will go a long way in the success of No Man Left Behind.
The program will be patterned after the Uniontown chapter group that Johnson leads. Additional help and referrals from Christian churches throughout the Mon Valley as well as law enforcement agencies in the Valley also are welcome.
The program will be open to troubled teens as well as adults needing spiritual guidance and social coping skills. In some cases, individual counseling will be available. There is no fee.
For more information, call the church office at 724-929-9588 or Stone at 724-483-2132.