SEVIERVILLE — Two years ago, God gave lead pastor Anthony Kendall and Connect Church in Sevierville a heart for prison ministry in Sevier County.
The church began by buying a Recovery Bible for every prisoner in the county, Kendall said, adding that the Bibles were in response to a need and request from inmates and jail officials.
“That was just the beginning of a great relationship with the sheriff and the chief of the jail who is a deacon at Connect Church,” Kendall said.
About two months ago, the church began conducting Bible studies at the Sevier County Jail on Monday nights for men, the pastor continued. In addition, classes for women inmates are slated to begin soon, he added.
Approximately six to eight members go to the facility to lead services, Kendall noted, adding that several staff members have gone through the process to be cleared to go to the facility to minister as well.
During the two months, approximately 50 inmates of the Sevier County Correctional Center accepted Christ as a result of Connect Church’s ministry.
On Wednesday of the week prior to Easter Sunday (April 16), the church organized a service with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office to baptize 35 of those inmates who made decisions, Kendall said. Though the service was not intentionally scheduled to occur during Easter week, “it was extra special” that it did occur during the week leading up to Easter, Kendall said.
The church bought two baptism troughs that will be left at the correctional facility for future baptisms, Kendall said.
The service was planned and conducted by Connect Church, but Pathways Church, a nondenominational congregation, led by associate pastor Keith Thornton also assisted in the service, Kendall said. “It was really cool to have a couple of churches come together for ministry at the jail, and we want to celebrate that part of it as well,” he said.
Though not official yet, the church has been told it can stream the Sunday services of Connect Church to the pods (a common area with a television) in each of the two correctional facilities in the county for both men and women in the near future, Kendall said.
“One of the things we thought about in streaming our services was why not give the inmates a church home while they are serving their time,” Kendall said. Through the streaming of the services the inmates will get to know the pastor and staff should they want to attend after they are released, the pastor observed. Though the services have yet to be streamed, the church has already had a couple of inmates who have been released visit, he added.
Kendall is appreciative of local law enforcement officials for their support.
After the baptism service on April 23, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office posted the following on its social media outlets: “Powerful moments last evening as 35 inmates made the incredible decision to be baptized, boldly declaring their faith and stepping into a new beginning. Just a reminder: no one is ever too far from God’s grace.
“Huge shoutout to Pathways Church and Connect Church for showing up with love, hope and truth. You’re making an eternal impact on these lives, and it shows.”
“Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr. said it best: ‘In my profession, I see evidence of right and wrong every day. However, some days my job allows me the opportunity to witness great things. These folks requested to be baptized as an outward sign of their inward transformation. This change affords each of these folks hope for a brighter future.’ ”
Kendall said the church plans to continue its ministry in the jails.
“One of the things I shared in the jail while we were baptizing was that churches often pray for revival to start. And who knows. God may start it in our local jail and it’ll pour out from there.
“So, we’re just going to faithfully take the gospel in there week in and week out and love those men and women and do what we can to help them follow Jesus.” B&R — Wilkey served as editor of the Baptist and Reflector for 26 years prior to retiring at the end of 2024. He is continuing to contribute to the B&R as a freelance writer.