Freedom express(ions) Pathway To Freedom, Inc. November 2020 Darryl Strawberry: Going deep for Jesus Christ Darryl Strawberry played in four World Series with the Mets and Yan- kees and his team won every one. That’s why it seemed so odd that when he came to PTF’s Fall Classic in North Little Rock during the 2020 Se- ries he didn’t much care what was happening in the Show. Strawberry spoke at Dickey-Stephens Park the day after one of his former clubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, took a 1-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. Darryl Strawberry (center) brought his inspiring story to our Fall Classic. “I have my faith and that’s what de- Now 58, Strawberry spends himself Griffin, AR Democrat-Gazette fines me,” he said. “I’m not defined assisting organizations such as PTF Publisher Walter E. Hussmann Jr., by baseball. I’m about ministry. I’m that minister to less notorious fellows Justice Robert Brown and Coach on a different journey. It’s nothing who nonetheless share his struggles. Barry Lunney also spoke at the personal. I’m just not that person event, which raised $60,425 to “It (PTF) is such a phenomenal pro- any more.” support our work. But Strawber- gram because it’s about people help- ry was the star once again, if on a “That person” hit 335 home runs, ing people,” he said. “No one gets smaller stage. drove in 1,000 runs and made eight through life on a free pass. We’ve all All-Star teams in his 17-year career. made mistakes. We all need help.” He is content. “No question He also snorted enough white pow- about it,” he said, “I’m much hap- Scott McLean, PTF executive director, der to chalk all the fields in the big pier. I’ve crossed over to a whole and board members Lt. Gov. Tim leagues. different life.” His addiction survived his playing ca- reer. Strawberry didn’t need a travel- Please help with a Christmas gift for our members ing secretary to make frequent visits to jails and rehab clinics in the area of Christmas is coming, COVID We ask your prayerful consid- his home in Central Florida. He also or not. eration of a generous gift to help us fought colon cancer and faced a heap cover the $2,500 cost and to meet our We are of course unable to of debt despite the millions he had ongoing expenses. present our annual family banquet on earned. In court one day, he told the the unit this year but we will cele- Please consider an end of the judge he had lost the will to live. All brate the birth of our Savior with a year financial gift to help us reach our the while his mother, now deceased, special meal for our members. financial budget goal of $544,331. prayed for him. Dalton Lee Smith is going steady with stability To hear God, Dalton Lee A mere five days after he decided to Weaver, lead singer for the gos- Smith had to be quiet. relinquish singing if that was what God re- pel group Big Daddy Weave. Muting ourselves to listen for quired of him, McLean tapped him for the They recorded Evermore as a that small, still voice is difficult worship team. “That’s when I learned God duet last year and last month it enough for the rest of us. was released as winner of the For Smith it was especially Gospel Music Association’s #1 so. Because he could sing. Hot AC Single award. Lawdy, could he ever sing. Now Smith has a single He had begun at slated for release in January age 4 at the Open Door and an album in the spring. Church of God in Shawnee, These triumphs not- Okla., and he hadn’t withstanding, he remains inten- stopped. When he reached tional and thoughtful. He has 19, his grandfather, who no plans to leave Van Buren or had raised him, died. Smith to quit turning up at church spun out of control and “every time they open the landed in an Arkansas pris- doors.” A father of a 6-month- on. old, Madison, he continues to Unlike most men provide support by selling cars, who find their way to Path- at least until his career as a gos- way to Freedom, he entered Flanked by his wife Tiffany and PTF Executive Direc- pel music artist is firmly estab- the program directly upon tor Scott McLean, Dalton Lee Smith shows off his lished. arrival. That’s when Execu- Gospel Music Association award for “Evermore.” “I always side with sta- tive Director Scott McLean hadn’t taken music away from me after all,” bility,” he says. told him to button up. he says. “I thought I had everything Back home in Van Buren after 3½ figured out,” Smith says. “Scott told years on the inside, he me to forget about music and go to attends Victory Temple, work on my life.” where his wife Tiffany’s He decided to accept that parents serve as pastors. advice. Quietly, he focused on the And he sings. Contact Us: decisions that had led to his confine- Three years ago, Mail Donations to: ADC-Wrightsville ment. He came to see he hadn’t had Pathway To Freedom a song he wrote tied for Hawkins Unit for Males 17200 Chenal Parkway P.O. Box 1010 everything figured out. “The program first in a competition. Suites 300-319 22522 Asher Road Little Rock, AR 72223 made me more intentional, more That success led to a col- Wrightsville, AR 72183 thoughtful,” he says. “It showed me laboration with Mike Or Give Online at how to look away from pride and self Phone: 501-897-0764 www.ptfprison.org/donate and look to God.” .