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Rocco
Morelli was imprisoned as a Mafia hitman
in his old life, but these days he’s
traveling the country to point prisoners
to the way out. Whether he’s speaking in
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prison, a church
or a youth center, his message rings true:
God the
Father has “the offer you can’t refuse.” His
Overcomers program helps people everywhere get
set free from prisons of their own
making--addictions and life-controlling habits.
Morelli first made the news in 2007 when his
book, Forgetta ‘Bout It (Bridge-Logos), was
published. Media outlets like CBN and TBN helped
to spread his real life “Sopranos” story.
Growing up in a mob town outside Pittsburgh
helped Morelli learn how to deal in the
underworld from a young age (15). As a cop at
age 19, he became further corrupted until the
day he was to rub out another member of la
famiglia. His conversion happened overnight at a
Christian men’s meeting, which prevented the
“hit” from happening. But by that point his
prison term had been set for other crimes. He
credits the prayers of his Christian mother for
his ultimate early release after two years in
prison.
“I think what attracts people to my life story
is the drama and the unexpected ending,” says
Morelli, who went on to become a happily married
pastor and evangelist. “People think, ‘wow, how
could you
escape that mafia life and make something good
of yourself?’ It’s the miracle of a new life,
and the message that God has a great plan for
every one of us.”
Today, Morelli and his wife, Christine, start
each day with prayer before planning ministry
events and working with such groups as Prison
Fellowship. Among other programs, the couple
works with church volunteers to hold 3-day
weekend marriage seminars for prisoners and
their spouses. Rocco Morelli Ministries
International (RMMI) serves as a missionary
organization to prisons, working with local
churches to equip and train others in prison
ministry and outreach.
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