Written by KnoxCAM Choir Member Lee Coffman

“The inmates came out covered in blood, and the guards had blood all over their shirts.” The guard who told us that a fight had broken out after dinner told us “Prison makes me bitter”- So – unit 11 wouldn’t be coming to our KnoxCAM concert. Would anyone get to come? Assessments had to be made. Was it safe to have the concert? 

We’d already been waiting an hour to begin. A 2 1/2 hour trip home was facing us. Would we ever get this concert done?

But Jill got up, rallied us to pray for the prisoners and the guards, and asked that, if it was His plan, we could present His story to the inmates. In a few minutes, a trombone began playing ‘Edelweiss’, the pianist joined him, and Denise and I couldn’t help but start singing, and then the rest of the choir was singing. Another song began, then hymns, with the flutes joining us. I looked around with tears in my eyes – I didn’t know some of the Baptist hymns, so I wasn’t singing ? – and I thought what a glorious evening- my very first jam session, and one with an orchestra, no less!

The concert was on! Time to give out the programs. Over 100 of those signed up came in, smiling, happy to be there, looking for a friendly hand to shake, and ready to hear the story of Lazarus – the story of the ultimate 2nd chance. The actors, the dancers, the orchestra, and the choir ‘left it all on the stage’, as Jill would say. We wanted to share this story with them, and they were anxious to hear it. One man said, “The best thing that happened here last year was your concert. I’ve been waiting all year for you to come back!” 

We’re on our way home. It’s later than expected, but we go home with an amazing example of how God meets you wherever you are, and provides blessings you could never imagine. We’re doing our concert for those not ‘on the inside’ on Sunday, May 5th, at Cedar Springs at 7p.m. Come see the story of the man who had the ultimate 2nd chance – for truly, he is every one of us…..