VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (ANS) -- Over 1,000 inmates incarcerated at the Chesapeake Correctional Center recently received copies of Danette Joy Crawford’s new book from Whitaker House, Don’t Quit in the Pit: Power to Turn Any Situation Around!, which will be available to the general public on Tuesday, March 9, 2010.

Cover of the book

According to Cathy Hickling of Whitaker House, Crawford, founder and president of Joy Ministries, gave the books away as part of her organization’s initiative to offer those in need “a hand up, not a hand out,” during a recent Valentine’s Day outreach where Crawford shared her story with the prison’s female population.

“I wanted to encourage the women not to quit, even if they feel like they’re in a deep, dark pit,” said Crawford. “I know what it’s like because I’ve learned from experience that every pit has an escape.”

Crawford told the inmates, “The rope of hope -- God’s Word -- does not disappoint. Isaiah 49:23 says, ‘Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.’ When our hope is in another person, a paycheck, or a situation, the day will come when we are disappointed. But when our hope is in the Lord, we will never be disappointed!”

Hickling told ANS that reaction to Crawford’s message "has been overwhelmingly positive, whether her audience is behind bars or sitting in pews."

She’s a popular speaker at conferences, revivals and church services; she’s been featured on numerous television programs including the 700 Club, Paula White Today, LESEA’s Harvest Show, and 100 Huntley Street. She also hosts her own TV show, Joy in the Morning with Danette Crawford, syndicated worldwide.

The message of Don’t Quit in the Pit: Power to Turn Any Situation Around!has been enthusiastically received by a wide variety of Christian leaders – both men and women—representing divergent doctrinal perspectives. Their reactions vary, but carry a common theme: Don’t Quit in the Pit is a powerful, faith-building and hope-filled testament of God’s ability to deliver individuals from seemingly hopeless situations.

“I would encourage everyone to read this book—it will transform your life!” writes Nancy Alcorn, president of Mercy Ministries International. “Every day, we all face the temptation of falling into pits of rejection, depression, fear, addiction, doubt, and unbelief. Don’t Quit in the Pit is an excellent book that shares keys to helping anyone get out and stay out of the pits of life.”
 

Chesapeake Correctional Center

Rev. Nate Atwood, senior pastor of Kempsville Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, said, “Danette’s story, inspiring and filled with hope, is a great reminder of what the Lord can do as we give ourselves to Him. Her book is a ‘life primer’ on how to work through the gut-level issues of life by faith, rather than fear or doubt.”

CBN’s Chief Financial Officer, Michael Carter, said, “In her autobiographical book, Danette Crawford testifies that the same God who rescued Joseph from family rejections and the hardships of an uncaring world, also rescued and blessed a young farm girl today. Through the transparency of her life story, Danette reassures us that Jesus is ever faithful to provide for us through the trials, to teach us to overcome life’s difficulties, and to enable us to fulfill the plan and purpose He has our lives.”

Danette Joy Crawford is currently touring on behalf of Don’t Quit in the Pit with numerous personal appearances, speaking engagements, and interviews. For her schedule, or for more information, please go to: www.joyministriesonline.org.

For more information on this and other Whitaker House titles, go to: www.whitakerhouse.com.

To schedule an interview with Danette Joy Crawford, contact Cathy Hickling at CHickling@WhitakerHouse.com or call (800)-444-4484 x283.

Dan Wooding, 69, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 46 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC., and now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California and which is also carried on the Calvary Radio Network throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK. Wooding also a regular contributor to The Weekend Stand on the Crawford Broadcasting Network, and a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries. He is the author of some 43 books. Two of the latest include his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, also recently released “God’s Ambassadors in Japan” which is available at amazon.com.