My big takeaway from our concert at Northeast Saturday:  we are indeed a family, pulling together.

I was nervous about the concert.  I knew our part was to trust God, and I WAS trusting him, but I arrived at the church with a turmoil of thoughts about how many members were missing and how to cover for them.  I felt a heavy weight of responsibility.

I first ran into Paula in discussion with several handbell players about covering for Carol.  I overheard this discussion continuing on the bus, with a final statement from Paula, “Okay, we’ve got it.”

Then I ran into Grayson, who said, “Ben is still sick, but don’t worry, we’re going to figure out on the bus how to cover for him.  Zachary will play some viola and some second; and Sarah will play some second and some first.  Don’t worry, we’ll have it by the time we get there.”

Then I ran into Ann, who had driven over from her parents in North Carolina (where she is caring for her father) just to dance with us so Grace wouldn’t have to dance alone.  I asked her how she was doing.  She said, “Don’t worry, I’ve practiced with the video the dancers sent, and I feel good about it.”  She and Grace sat across from me on the bus.  I saw them reviewing choreography on their own and together.

I saw Tracy in the restroom.  She said, “This is going to be our best concert ever.”

During the concert, I caught sight of Meade’s face as we sang the “Gloria.”  It was radiant, transformed with glory as she sang.  I caught her joy and it moved me deeply.

I could feel the single-minded determination of all you singers to get it right during “While Shepherds Watched.”  Your intent communicated itself to me in a very visceral way.  And you did get it right.  It was by far the best you’ve done.

I rejoiced in the beauty of “Messiah, Prince of Peace” and thought how wonderful it is that we get to play it so many times.  It is becoming a part of us in a way that groups who only perform it once or twice cannot know.

I heard the gleefulness and excitement in Beth’s voice as she portrayed Lydia’s encounter with the angels.  I heard the men in the audience responding to the humor and the miracle of the story.

I watched in awe and thanksgiving as Julie signed our story and Scott’s message to a deaf prisoner – he was brand new at Northeast.  How humbling and wonderful that we could minister to him in this special way.

I heard Scott’s powerful message spellbound, and I thanked God for the gifts of communication He has given Scott.  I felt the profound peace and holiness of the presence of God descend on the room as I sat there.

Ann told me afterward that she had had a vision during Scott’s final prayer.  She saw a prison hallway with cells along both sides.  A prison guard was walking along the hall, opening one cell after another and releasing the prisoners.  At the end of the hall was another open door, leading outside to a warm, beautiful, and light-filled place.  All the prisoners were walking through that door into the freedom of new life.

I contemplated all this on the bus.  The way you all rallied together to problem-solve; your determination to do your very best and humbly commit yourselves to God for His use; the way He met us at every turn.  Tracy was right – it was our best concert to date.  As we finished “Arise, Shine” I found myself breathing hard and rejoicing because my vision for what I wanted this story to be had come to fruition; because the power of God had been in us; because we had fulfilled our calling that night.

Thank you, friends, for bearing the weight of ministry challenges and rejoicing in God’s work with me.  I cherish you.

Jill

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

–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.