Jeff Hammond has been involved in church ministry in Indonesia since 1974, and has mentored many death row prisoners in Indonesia in various prisons and cities in the country.
In regards to Andrew Chan, Mr Hammond was his mentor for several years and saw him transform from a standover thug and drug dealer to become a pastoral leader and inspiration to other prisoners in both the Korobokan (Bali) and Nusakambangan (Central Java) prisons.
Mr Chan’s life in the prison helped many drug addicts and drug smugglers transform their lives.
Mr Hammond has also been involved with a couple of others of the Bali 9.
Mr Chan was a young Australian teenager when he became addicted to drugs and worked his way up in the drug trade to become the leader of a smuggling ring until he was arrested and sentenced to be executed by firing squad.
Mr Hammond wrote his book, The Andrew Chan Story, so that people (fellow Australians) could learn of his inspiring life and his life gives hope that youths trapped into the drug culture can be set free from that destructive lifestyle.
It gives hope to parents that their children who are trapped in the drug culture can be set free and have productive lives.
Jeff Hammond is holding a presentation of his book at Club Eastwood on Saturday, February 10, from 7pm.
Who should attend?
“Those trapped in the drug culture who are looking for a way to escape and parents looking for hope that their children can be set free,” Mr Hammond said.
“Also anyone who may feel their life hasn’t meant anything till now but looking for inspiration that our lives can be turned around and that our lives do have purpose and value.
“We will provide a free copy of the book to each family that attends as we want to share the good news and message of hope that came out of Andrew Chan’s life.
“We have shared this story in a number of towns around Australia in Queensland, NSW and Victoria and in churches (Anglican, Salvation Army, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Churches of Christ etc) and in public community meetings and the response everywhere has been very positive.
“It is our hope that the community in Bairnsdale would likewise respond and be inspired by the life of Andrew Chan.”
