By Andy Dalton
An Armley church hall was full of people who gathered to listen to an ex-prisoner, former addict, drug dealer and criminal relate the story of his journey away from crime.
Organised by Leeds City Mission and hosted at New Whingate Methodist Church, scores of people listened to Rod Williams as he recounted his troubled past and how he left behind the dark world of hard drugs, crime, gambling and prison.
Rod began dealing in drugs as a teenager and progressed to smuggling them by his early 20s. The law caught up with him. He found himself serving a four year prison sentence for importing crack cocaine and heroin into the island of Guernsey.
He brought with him the book he has written about his experiences – ‘The Real Deal’. He also brought with him his box of tricks. Rod is now a professional illusionist and he treated his audience to a number of magic tricks – much to their delight.
The special evening was organised by Leeds City Mission who have worked among prisoners and ex-offenders offenders for many years. They also organised a free tea with seasonal savouries and refreshments prior to the meeting.
Leeds City Mission Development Worker Andy Dalton said: “This was a first-class evening. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the illusionist tricks which preceded Rod William’s talk. His story was amazing and an inspiration to everyone that change is possible even for the most determined criminal.”
He concluded by thanking New Whingate Methodist Church for making their hall available.“Our Compassion Centre premises on Mistress Lane did not have the space to cope with the numbers turning up for this event,” he added.
Over its 184-year-history Leeds City Mission has reached out with practical compassion and hope to those who have transgressed the law of the land. Leeds City Mission employs a prison chaplain amongst its staff team.
It is a multi-church agency organising a number of projects from its Compassion Centre in Mistress Lane, Armley, helping people at the margins of life.
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