"You can feel the excitement through town. Everyone is starting to talk about it. I was just downtown this morning and had somebody stop me on the street."

Those are the words from Cimarron resident, Terry Martin. He, along with nine other men, is hosting a conference called Awake and Arise at the Cimarron High School on September 5th.

Martin promises the event to be fun, powerful, and uplifting. It will feature guest speakers, a praise band, and a barbecue lunch.

The most notable aspect of the conference will be provided by Michael Franzese, a former member of the mob who was ranked #18 on a list of the all-time biggest mafia bosses.

"His story is going to be compelling because we are not familiar with organized crime and the mob in this part of the country," says Martin.

Although few have lived a life similar to Franzese, his journey is one that Martin hopes will inspire those in attendance.

"He was so far from doing anything right in his life. It cost him ten years in federal prison, but now he has turned that completely around. The men attending this conference understand that if he can turn his life around, then anyone can get their life turned around."

All men are invited to attend the Awake and Arise conference. The registration deadline is August 21st. For more information, click on the link below.