EATON — The Freedom Rally, an event to help inspire hope for those suffering through any addiction, will be held on Friday, June 16, at the Preble County Fairgrounds.
A free event sponsored by Preble County churches, pastors, and local businesses, the Freedom Rally will include bands, who will begin playing at 6 p.m.
The rally itself will begin at 7 p.m.
Pastor Doug, who withholds his surname because of his past, serves at Go Ministries International Inc. in West Manchester. He sympathizes with addicts, because he used to be one.
“I wanted to be free for a long time before I was free,” he said. “I would purchase my goods to use and use a little bit of it and feel so bad I would turn around and give it away to a friend, because I couldn’t stand it, but then I would turn around and buy it back the next day. I know that people need to know that there’s hope and help and people that believe in them.
“They can find freedom, freedom is available,” he said. “That is what the Freedom Rally is about. It’s to reach out to people who want to get free, but are struggling.”
He added, the Freedom Rally is targeted to people who are tired of addiction, who have been robbed of their finances, family, future, or health. The Rally is meant to be an extra hand up for them.
There will be a large tent set up in the arena and they will be set up in the grandstands. The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and the band Battle Cry will be performing contemporary rock music. There will be a lot of faith based help organizations set up for those interested to find assistance. Many, like Pastor Doug, will be sharing their personal testimonies.
“When you are in addiction, there are a lot of things that goes along with that,” the pastor added. “You look down on yourself. You feel unworthy to be around people that you love. You feel ashamed of yourself. All the time it is like you’re looking out of hole of what everyone else has and you can’t seem to get a hold of.
“Our message is hope, help, and freedom. I promise people that the chains are going to fall off at the Freedom Rally, if they want it bad enough.”
The Freedom Rally is not just for the addicted, but the family of those with addicted.
“We have a lot of compassion toward families who have someone that they love who are addicted because it absolutely affects everyone in the home, in the family,” he said. “We have support available for those family members.”
Pastor Doug added, “I’m thrilled to death with the community. They have come together. Business leaders have come together and contributed a lot of financial support. We have many pastors and churches who have a great heart for the people. We don’t look down on the people. Bad things happen to good people. Just because someone is caught up in the trap of addiction, does not mean they are a bad person.
“I want to thank all the pastors and churches that have come together to make this happen, as well as all the businesses that gave financial support and showed compassion towards the people of Preble County.”
