PRESS RELEASE:New Book, “Forgetta ‘bout It – From Mafia to Ministry” by Rocco Morelli
Forgetta 'bout It-From Mafia to MinistryA gangster turned into a pastor? Unlike most mob stories that end in
tragedy, the dramatic life story of Rocco Morelli is a tale of total triumph.
"I was a Mafia wise guy-rich, powerful, and greedy," Morelli says of his
former life in his book Forgetta 'bout It. "I was arrested and imprisoned.
But when released from prison, I was a changed man."
La famiglia (the family) ran "Little Chicago," Morelli's hometown of New
Kensington, Pennsylvania, nicknamed for its mob connections.
According to Morelli, the Mafia bosses on the east coast all had ties to the family in Little Chicago. "The Mafia curse was passed down to me from my great-grandfather. I was doomed from birth to be an heir of the mob."
Morelli became a cop at age 19, but at the same time he nurtured his love for the underworld. "I became a player, eventually messing up my mind with drugs and alcohol. Less than 10 years later, I had the world in the palm of my hands. I was part of the action and the boss gave me the
opportunity for membership." That boss told Morelli, "Kill Tony and you're
made!" He needed an ironclad alibi. As he was about to do the hit, something happened that changed his plans and his life forever.
Morelli, whose ministry is based in Clermont, FL, now speaks his message of a changed life to prisoners, at-risk kids, and the lost around the world as director of Rocco Morelli Ministries International, an evangelistic outreach and prison ministry. "We have dedicated volunteers, churches, and ministries network with us to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to prisoners, their families, victims of crime, youth, and teens with our programs."
Morelli speaks in schools, youth detention centers, and prisons, conducting evangelistic events and chapel service seminars. His prison ministry helps to coordinate mentoring, discipleship, and Christian 12-step programs for overcoming addictions. Prison marriage seminars are
soon to be in place for inmates and their spouses.
Three to five million at-risk kids have one or more parents in jail or prison, and they are six times more likely to end up in prison themselves. "These are the next generations' criminals who are at a loss unless we, 'The Church,' incorporate Christian programs and ministry strategies that will have a great impact on children with prevention as our focus," Morelli says.
"Prisoners' marriages can be saved and restored to wholeness in Christ. Children of inmates can be brought into the healing, nurturing life of the church."
About the author, Rocco Morelli
As an evangelist for Jesus Christ, my mission is to share my power-packed life changing testimony, "From Mafia to Ministry" toreach inmates in prison, at risk kids in schools, churches and communities. I travel throughout the U.S. and Internationally presenting the good news of Jesus Christ as the source of hope and new life for men, women, and their families.
Jesus said "Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world."Mark 16:15 CEV
About Bridge Logos
Bridge-Logos, an Orlando, Florida-based Christian publisher celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2007, features such authors as Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, Dr. David Yongii Cho, Jack Hayford and Liberty Savard. Among its best-selling imprints, Pure Gold Classics are an expanding collection of timeless literary works by authors such as Spurgeon, Tozer, Luther, Bunyan, Moody, and others. Bridge-Logos publishes The Evidence Bible, the only Bible uniquely designed for sharing the Christian faith.
For media interviews contact:
Rocco Morelli
(O) 863-424-7886
(C) 863-207-4082
/ Forgetta 'bout It-From Mafia to Ministry
By Rocco Morelli (Bridge-Logos)
ISBN: 978-88270-323-7
Trade PB, 200 pp., $12.99