Hello Everyone,
My name is Barry McGarrh. I am State Certified through the Indiana Prison System as a volunteer working in ministry within the various Indiana Prison Facilities. I have been working in jail and prison ministry on a regular basis for over five years with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. I have been further trained by the CMA and I am on the CMA's Prison Ministry Team. I work in all levels of Prison from lower level to the higher security levels were they are serving life sentences.
The Lord has brought into my life events that has allowed me to put together a program that has proven to be very effective on touching men and women's hearts called "Freebird's Last Flight". Here is the history of "Freebird's Last Flight" presentation and how it got started -- God has orchestrated some associations that very much complement my personal testimony and life. God placed on my heart going on two years ago to study the history of the Southern Rock Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Most of you will know that Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band that is known around the world performing for crowds as large as 250,000 back in the 70's. The band was formed by several friends from Jacksonville, FL, but the main person responsible for the band was Ronnie Van Zant. He was the lead singer. Lynyrd Skynrd is not your normal run-of-the-mill rock 'n roll band with questionable lyrics. They wrote songs that were inspiring and in relation to their own life, memories and problems that they had been through. In October of 1977 tragedy struck the band when a plane crash took the lives of three of the band members, including Ronnie Van Zant. The band dismantled for 10 years but in 1987 the band resurrected again with Ronnie Van Zant's youngest brother, Johnny Van Zant. Another brother, Donnie Van Zant, had already been successful with his well known band, .38 Special. These are the two remaining brothers, Johnny and Donnie Van Zant. Today, Johnny is still the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Donnie is still leading his group, .38 Special. In the off time of their respective groups the two brothers come together and sing as "Van Zant". Their label for their music is "Southern Rock/Country/Christian".
Since my original prompting to study Lynyrd Skynyrd, God has allowed me to be in association with Johnny and Donnie Van Zant, Jimmy Van Zant, along with Charlie Daniels, thru the Van Zant's cousin, Jane Van Zant. As I have gotten to know these men -- I have been able to combine their stories along with my personal testimony and a Gospel message that very much affects those serving time. The men and women that I have been able to share this program with have taken an immediate interest when I mention Lynyrd Skynyrd and the story of Ronnie Van Zant and his brothers, Johnny and Donnie. With that interest, I am able to give the tragic history and story, but more currently -- the redeeming Grace through Jesus that Johnny and Donnie Van Zant have discovered and sing about.
Through all of this my wife and I have also become friends with Jo Jo Billingsley. Jo Jo was one of the original band members. She was the only person that was not on the plane when it crashed. You can read her testimony on her letter presented on the front page of "MySpace". I have also come in contact with Charlie Daniels and have his "stamp of approval" on this Prison Ministry. I have posted his letter that he has written for me to share with those who are incarcerated. Charlie was one on Ronnie Van Zant's closest friends in the music world.
My program is entitled, "Freebird's Last Flight", named after Lynyrd Skynyrd's second most popular song "Free Bird". Their number one song was "Sweet Home Alabama" that most have heard on the airways throughout the years. My program has a powerful Gospel message that presents salvation and the loving message of God's love for mankind.
Barry McGarrh
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