/24-7PressRelease/ - AUGUSTA, GA, January 18, 2008 - After 47 years in Christian ministry, Pastor J. Stephen Conn, has just released a new book about what he calls "The most incredible experience I have ever had in a lifetime of serving God and people." The Devil Called Collect: The Exorcism of Jessica Leek, is the true story of a young woman, possessed by a legion of demons, who was dramatically set free by the power of Jesus' name. Conn is no wide-eyed demon chaser who sees a devil behind every bush. "At some time or another, every human being is tempted, harassed or even oppressed by Satan," he said, "but only one time have I personally dealt with a full-fledged case of demonic possession. Most ministers never have such an encounter."
The story begins on March 11, 1980, in Augusta, GA when Conn was awakened at 2:00 AM by a long distance, collect, telephone call. He heard the soft pleading voice of a young woman desperately seeking help. Afraid, alone, and deeply involved in Witchcraft, all Jessica knew about the man she was calling was that his number had been given to her by a stranger while she was hitch-hiking. As she spoke, numerous deep, guttural, demonic voices unexpectedly came from her lips - blaspheming, cursing, and identifying themselves by name.
Pastor Conn and his youth minister, Paul Dana Walker, embarked on search for the young woman. Three days later they found her in Savannah, GA, 125 miles away. They brought Jessica back to the Conn's home in Augusta, little knowing the frightening trial which lay before them. In the week-long ordeal Jessica attempted suicide twice and attacked the ministers on several occasions - once with an eight inch butcher knife. According to Conn, scores of demonic spirits manifested themselves through her, each with an uncannily different personality and a distinctly different voice. The demons spat out their names: Ariel, Orion, Beelzebub, Moloch, Diana, Astaroth, Belial, and many more.
The pastor said he has waited until now to publish the story because the subject is so controversial. He freely admits, "Some aspects of the experience were beyond my theological understanding." He says he still does not have all the answers, and doesn't believe anyone does, so he offers this book as "a testimony and not a thesis."
This is Conn's sixth book. For 15 years he wrote a syndicated column on religion and politics which appeared in 60 newspapers throughout the United States.
The Devil Called Collect is available from Amazon.com and several other online booksellers. For more information go to: http://www.TheDevilCalledCollect.com.
About J. Stephen Conn
J. Stephen Conn is Protestant clergyman and the award-winning author of six non-fiction books.
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