FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
Sheriff Recognizes Jail Ministry Director For Long Service
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
Sheriff Mitch Ralston honored Reverend Joe Hall today with the ‘Sheriff’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award’ in recognition of his 20 plus years of service as director of the Gordon County Jail Inmate Ministry Program. Reverend Hall began his service as a jail minister in 1994 during the administration of former sheriff Sid Roberts, through the administration of former sheriff Jerry Davis, as well as in the past 6 years in the current facility with Sheriff Ralston. Reverend Hall says, “It’s just something God put on my heart, I tell these guys (inmates) that I love them and there’s nothing they can do about it”. Joe tells that he was brought into the jail ministry by former jail chaplain and deputy sheriff Jack Bell, who passed away in 2008, and that he was also influenced by another minister and former deputy, Max Fuller. Joe was active in the ‘Rock of Ages Prison Ministry’ before becoming involved in the local jail program. Joe’s wife of 48 years, Pat, say that he often gets calls at 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning from former inmates. “There’s nothing he won’t do for them”, says Pat. Joe retired from a long career in the US Postal Service, and was pastor of Russell Hill Baptist Church in Sugar Valley for over 20 years. Joe and Pat have 2 adult sons. Barry, who is a former professional football player and currently teaches school here, and Brent, who is an accountant for the US FDA in Wisconsin. In addition to the jail ministry, Joe finds time to pastor Ranger Baptist Church here in Gordon County. Reverend Hall remembers holding services inside the actual cell blocks at the the old jail on Piedmont Street because there was no designated room for religious services. Now, he says, it is a luxury having a room specifically set aside for the ministry program. Throughout the years, Reverend Hall has provided thousands of Bibles to inmates. Although a network of local churches donate proceeds to the program, Joe has picked up a lot of the cost himself. Anyone willing to donate to the Jail Ministry Program should contact Reverend Hall. Joe says with a smile that his only regret “is not having enough time”.
Pictured are: Sheriff Ralston, Reverend Hall, and Mrs. Pat Hall
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