Author Archives: KnoxCAM Webmaster

Letter from Inmate at NorthEast Prison in Mountain City Tennessee

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Just wanted to let you know that you guys put together a very special performance last Saturday evening, April 21, 2013.  Several of the men that attended are still praising everyone, from the play, to the choir.

The Holy Spirit filled that room, the minute you guys stepped off the bus.!  I remember you telling the members, “It’s hot, but we are here to do God’s work,” and that you did so flawlessly.  You brought us a blessing that will remain in our hearts, for a very, very long time.  We are extremely grateful to you, all choir members, and members of Crossroads play, especially Nick and Abby, and even Jupiter!

A special thanks to the pastor of Cedar Springs Church, and the powerful word he brought on “darkness and light,” for if you are in darkness, there simply isn’t any Light.

I spoke with a friend, who happens to be my 1st baseman on our championship softball team, about “a special project” to be placed in your church, that may take 2 or 3 months to make and complete, to show our gratitude and appreciation for taking your time to come 182 miles to bring, to do, and to show God’s love, in such a special way!  That’s awesome!  I will speak to Cathy Saturday and see if this project can go through her, and possibly back with them one Saturday when they are here for a service.

We ask that you keep us in prayer, and we will also pray for you as Cedar Springs and members of your ministry.  May God bless you and keep you wrapped in loving care, and bless you as much as you bless others.  We ask that you pray for our administration here at NECX and for our leaders of our troubled country, who desperately needs God’s healing hand.

 

God bless you always,

Love in Christ,

Gordan Furches

Our KnoxCAM Family

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Eighty members… thirty different congregations… eleven denominations.  I know these statistics about the people who make up Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries (KnoxCAM), but that is not what I notice today.  I look around me, on the stage where we are assembled to present our story and I don’t perceive my fellow performers as being members of this church or that church; I see a body of believers.

I see a mother, a father, and their almost adult child, a mother with a brand new baby, a widow,  teachers, business people, retired people, and high school students scattered throughout the different artistic groups that make up KnoxCAM.  I see those dealing with family members who are ill or struggling or even in prison.  I see people I’ve come to love and respect.

There is something special that happens when one shares in this ministry.  Over time, you begin to talk to those around you about your life.  You find you are with a group of believers who pray with you, rejoice with you, and who will walk with you through life.  You find friends, sisters, and brothers.

The bus ride to a facility where we will perform becomes a family reunion.  It’s a chance to catch up with an old friend, or begin a new friendship.  Today I compare notes with a fellow home schooling mom.  There is a young woman I had the privilege to make friends with a few weeks ago.  I’m touched by friends who remember to ask about prayer requests I’ve shared.  I see the guy who teases me almost as much as my son does (don’t tell him, but I enjoy his brand of brotherly love).  I see a family, a body of believers who come together and share God’s message.

As we wind down this performing season, I know some of our troupe will not return next year.  Whether they move away, take time off for family reasons, or head off to college, we will miss each one of them. But we’re excited about the new people God will bring into our ranks next year. We hope you will consider becoming part of our KnoxCAM family.  We’ll save you a seat on the bus.

Dandridge Youth Detention Facility April 2013

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44 pairs of eyes watched as he swaggered onto the stage. They were riveted. You see, they know this man. He’s the man who “befriends them,” who promises the world! the man who is still out on the streets while they are locked in a facility. They watch him swagger, entice, try to lure a young man into destructive ways. They follow the action as the young man reacts.

The story speaks to them because it is their story. As the play winds down, you can see in their eyes and the way they lean forward in their seats that they are hungry for what God is offering in what they have just seen.

We are not able to talk directly to these young men because they are not yet adults, but as they leave, we exchange waves and shouts of “goodbye.” We depart and know that others must follow up with these boys to help them understand the God who loves them and who wants to have a relationship with them. We pray for those whom God will bring into their lives. We thank Him for those who have shared their stories so that we may present an honest play which seems to inspire the young men.

Please come and share this story with us on May 5th at 6:30 in the sanctuary at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. Consider joining us next year and sharing the artistic gifts which God has given you!

by Deborah Carlson, KnoxCAM choir member  reports after participating in the Dandridge Youth Facility Concert

From KnoxCAM Members

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Tracey Morgan, Handbells
The inmates and less fortunate citizens of our region thirst for hope, and are given a wellspring of joy through each KnoxCAM performance.  Many in the audience do not leave thirsty.  I can see in their faces the tale of redemption has taken root and given them hope for a brighter tomorrow.  There is no greater joy or responsibility than taking the gospel, in such a beautiful art form, to the needy.

 

Performance with a Message

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–Article written by Tom Reddick, #347492, an inmate at Morgan County Correctional Complex and published in “Mountain Review,” the prison newspaper.

On Saturday, December 1, 2012, the Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries blessed the men at Morgan County Correctional Complex with a production of The Crossroads.  This was the third year in a row that the Ministries had performed here.

It is no mistake that the word “Arts” appears in their name as they utilize nearly every facet of the performing arts.  There are actors, musicians, men and women’s choir, dancers, and orchestra and handbell artists.  I am not sure what you call people who “play” handbells, but artists is the first word that enters my mind.

The Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries is a faith-based prison ministry headquartered at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville that is open to any interested person no matter their religious denomination.

The Crossroads tells the story of Nick, an ex-con torn between the life he knows he should lead now and his criminal past.  Nick was saved in prison but can’t quite take the first step in putting his faith in God.  After incarceration, he was faced with the dilemma of being truthful about his past and risk not being hired or keeping it a secret.  After one too many turn-downs and money becoming a problem, he keeps his past hidden and gets hired.

Nick is a hard worker who quickly wins over the the storekeeper and his daughter, who are impressed with his work ethic and commitment to God.  He even starts a relationship with the daughter after hours.

Nick is haunted by his criminal past in the form of his old partner and mentor, Jupe.  He keeps pressuring Nick to return to the lifestyle of “easy” money and that the free-world has nothing to offer nor does it care about him.

The subject matter presented is important but there are lighter moments.  At one point Nick’s boss says to him: “I was impressed that you kept a job at a dairy for three years until I found out it was at a TDOC dairy in Bledsoe County,” which was met with laughter.

As it turns out Nick is fired when the truth does come to light.  He even loses the relationship with the daughter, as she can no longer trust him.  The storekeeper tells Nick that he still would have hired him had he been truthful from the start.  Although the trust is irrecoverably broken, the storekeeper forgives Nick and assists him with finding another job.  Nick joins their church and becomes a member of the choir.  Everyone knows of his past but Nick is welcomed with open arms.

The production ended with both the ministry and audience singing Amazing Grace.  I found this part of the program very powerful and inspiring.  The free-world visitors and prisoners stood together and sang as one.  This program was a classic tale of trusting God.  Most of us reading this article will face the same dilemma Nick did.  Which road will you travel down?  What will you do at your crossroads?

I would like to thank the Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries for sharing their love and forgiveness with us.  I look forward to their visit each time.  I would also like to thank Chaplain Steve Cantrell, Steve Humphries, Warden Howerton, Deptury Warden Parris, AA W/O Doug Cook, A W/PR Jennie Jobe and the chapel and gym staff for helping make this event possible.