The Coquille Church hosted Cheri Peters, author and founder of True Step Ministries, based in Kuna, Idaho, the weekend of Oct. 20, 2006. She spoke at the community building in Coquille on Friday night and again on Sabbath for the worship service at the Coquille Church.
Peters, a recovering drug addict, was abused, unloved and unwanted by her family. She lived a homeless, miserable life on the streets until Jesus rescued her through His unconditional love and gave her a ministry to young people and adults.
On Sunday, Peters ministered to the inmates at Shutter Creek Correctional Institution. "The prison chaplain was very pleased with her two presentations. The inmates could relate to her well and were very appreciative," according to Fred Anderson, prison ministries volunteer.
The next day, she shared her testimony with hundreds of students at Coquille Valley Middle School during a school assembly. Coquille Church elder Barbara Rollins, a former elementary school principal in Coquille, arranged with Mark Nortness, middle school principal, to have Peters speak to the students. The 50-minute presentation was part of the school's Red Ribbon Week.
"Most of my class commented that it was the best assembly that they'd had in a long time," said Larry Osburn, teacher.
What a blessing and what a difference she made in the lives of all she reached! We were all encouraged and uplifted to the cross and to the changing power of the Holy Spirit.
Peters has published two books, Miracle From the Streets and God is Crazy About You. She also does TV appearances and hosts her own radio program. Randy Maxwell, the well-known author, has said, "To hear Cheri's story is to be forever changed. To meet Cheri in person is to encounter a real-life, flesh-and-blood, bona fide miracle.
Coquille Valley Middle School students and teachers listen to Cheri Peters as she tells her story. (Larry Osburn)
Cheri Peters (left) arriving at the school. Greeted by Principal Mark Nortness (right). Barbara Rollins, (center) is a former elementary school principal in Coquille and a current Coquille church elder. She arranged for the assembly. (Don Gladden)
