'Depressed City' turns into 'City of Hope'

An Appalachian Dawn, produced by George Otis, Jr. and released by The Sentinel
Group in Oct. 2010, documents the amazing transformation of a town in Clay
County, notorious for epic drug abuse, pervasive political corruption, and
crushing poverty. Isolated in the heartland of Appalachia, the city of Manchester,
Kentucky, appeared to be the unlikeliest place for societal breakthrough to
occur. With the decline of the coal and salt industries, and their best years
seemingly behind them, a 1964 CBS news report gave Manchester the dubious
distinction 'Depressed City, USA'.

Forty years later, Clay County still could not escape from its backward
stereotype, being listed as the sixth poorest county in the United States. In the
1990s, over 40 percent of the population was engaged in pot production (USA
Today, 07/89). By the early 2000s, these descendants of moonshiners had begun
abusing prescription narcotics to such a degree that the region was called 'The
Painkiller Capital of America' (Lexington Herald-Leader, 01/03). Upwards of 90
percent of local high school students were strung out. Overdoses and accidents
were claiming so many lives that roadside memorial crosses began to resemble
picket fences. Faced with this carnage, parents and teachers realized they were
on the brink of losing an entire generation - and any hope of a viable future.

"Hope returned to Manchester when 63 church leaders publicly repented before

God for their lack of civic involvement."

That is until May 2, 2004, when 63 churches and 3,500 people, setting aside
their differences, united together as community catalysts to march against
drugs. They were joined together under the direction of church leaders who
publicly repented before God for their lack of civic involvement. Suddenly, a
pulse could be felt; hope had been resuscitated. Many felt this climactic prayer
event helped break the vice-like grip of drug addiction that had tormented daily
life.

The following year, Manchester became the only area in the region where
painkiller prescriptions decreased. Drug arrests would increase by a staggering
300 percent. Where favoritism, fraud, and extortion were once the law of the
land, government corruption would soon be uncovered. Within three years,
public officials, including the mayor, the city supervisor, the assistant police
chief, the 911 Director, the fire chief, the circuit court judge, a handful of city
councilmen, county commissioners and county clerks, would all be exposed and
jailed for racketeering, distributing drugs, and voter fraud.

As newfound stakeholders in society, churches and citizens partnered together

with law enforcement to root out this crime and corruption. A network of
churches and local businesses has since joined with the courts to provide
second-chance employment options for the county's large population of
recovering addicts. Many have turned their lives around - including a notoriously
violent drug dealer - and become integral parts of the community. Clay County
High School, once a haven for drug abuse, is now nearly drug free and reporting
rising test scores.

"The church partnership with the police was the best thing to happen to Clay
County."

As a result, a profound optimism had instantly been injected into everyday life.
Local drug dealers soon began surrendering their lives to Jesus and getting
delivered from drug addiction. This fresh adrenaline also caused high-ranking
officials like the new mayor and the sheriff to begin advancing the cause of
Christ in their respective spheres of influence. According to Sheriff Kevin
Johnson, the church partnership with the police was "the best thing to happen to
Clay County." Furthermore, this uncommon collaboration, 'Operation: Unite', has
become the model for the entire state. As a result, this obscure community has
become a regional influence, receiving calls from 49 different states, and five
foreign nations, all soliciting Clay Countians for guidance in their battle against
drugs.

Today, Manchester's transformation is visible at every turn. Depressing, coal-

caked facades have given way to new parks and sidewalks, robust seasonal
festivals have sprung to life, and the city's water was recently voted the best
tasting in the state of Kentucky. As the community's image and infrastructure
improve, new business is taking root and providing much-needed jobs
(Manchester Enterprise, 10/10). In January 2009, the city council passed a
resolution proclaiming Manchester as 'The City of Hope', and posted the name on
a nearby parkway exit.

Next week in Joel News International a more detailed story of the turn-around in
Manchester, Kentucky. The DVD can be ordered here.

Source: Ben Mutti, Georte Otis Jr.