Common Ground Ministry banquet Sept. 16 to celebrate 35 years of prison outreach

Around this area John Schmid is known as the guitar-playing guy who sounds a lot like Johnny Cash. Schmid is well known for performing at loads of area benefits and functions, a quite popular performer.

However, for the past 35 years, he has been performing for a different crowd, that being individuals who are in prison.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m., Schmid will celebrate his 35th year in the prison ministry with the Common Ground Ministry banquet at Carlisle Inn Walnut Creek.

The evening is free to the public and will include a meal, music and a message from keynote speaker Thomas Fortini, chaplain at the Ohio State Penitentiary, also known as Youngstown Super Max.

“He’s the chaplain in a place reserved for the worst of the worst,” Schmid said. “Every single person there is in solitary confinement. Thomas’ stories are pretty riveting because he has seen and experienced so much there.”

Schmid said whenever he performs there, it is for six prisoners at a time, with each of them chained and shackled in a cage while he shares. He usually offers six to eight ministry sessions throughout that day.

“Many of them come simply to get out of their cell for a while, but if the words and music touch even one life, it’s worth it,” Schmid said.

This banquet, which will include a freewill offering, is an important one for the ministry.

“This is a big one for us,” Schmid said.

The event is free, but those wishing to attend do need to preregister by calling Lydia at 330-231-4657.

Schmid began his career as a youth pastor, and after resigning, he was invited to tour with Gospel Echoes for a year, setting the tone for his desire to pursue prison ministry as a career.

“While the focus is on prison ministry, I do other events like concerts, churches and camp retreats, so it is a variety, but the main thing is reaching out to those in prison,” Schmid said.

Over the 35-year span, Schmid has visited approximately 400-plus prisons, which entails several thousand chapel services.

The hope is these services will touch the hearts of the men and women in prison and provide them with a glimpse of what life can look like when committing one’s heart to God and living in faith.

Schmid said it serves as a reminder that God’s grace extends far beyond what people can ever conceive, and no sins go beyond God’s forgiveness.

“I’ve been blessed by the ministry,” Schmid said. “Thirty-five years has flown by, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity.”

Don’t miss this chance to support Common Ground Ministry and to share in the hope of building faith throughout the prison population.