CHATTANOOGA, TN – Chattanooga Endeavors, Inc. (CEi) has established a network of local churches called “Stephen’s Table” to keep contact with people from the Chattanooga area that are serving terms in Tennessee’s prison system. The idea is simple,” says Tim Dempsey, CEO, “by reaching out to prisoners in a way that keeps them involved in their home town we are able to cultivate positive relationships that both improve their incarceration experience and help them when they get out.”
Through simple acts of charity, members reignite hope in the hearts of those behind bars, helping them complete their journey to healing and wholeness. “There is nothing like seeing the transformation of a man or women with no hope or expectation go to a great expectation of life, family, and God,” says Rev. Tom Finlayson of Pursuing Purpose Ministries, a faith-based outreach to juvenile and adult prisons across the world.
This may look like just another prison ministry, however both in scope and in emphasis, Stephen’s Table stands apart. “We don’t want to leave anyone behind,” explains Dempsey making reference to the parable of the Lost Sheep. “Through a relatively simple system of engagement, we are able to introduce ourselves to everyone from the Chattanooga area at various stages of their incarceration and invite them into a relationship with one of our member churches.”
With more than 1,200 people from the Chattanooga area confined in 15 facilities from Mountain City to Memphis – and about 500 people coming home every year – Stephen’s Table has its work cut out for itself. In fact organizers estimate that the network will need to expand to include at least 125 churches in order to serve them all. “We are under no illusion that everyone in prison will join us,” says Dempsey. “But its hard to know when people are ready for a change, so we need to reach out to everyone to prevent anyone from falling through the cracks.”
After 12 years in prison, George Eiland admits that he could have been one of those that fell through the cracks. “I didn’t get serious about my faith until I was locked up,” says Eiland. “And if it wasn’t for an accidental encounter with a faithful Christian, I could have easily lost my way when I came home.” Like other members of Stephen’s Table, Eiland believes that it should not be an accident that prisoners find their way to a place of worship when they return home. It should be the plan.
By joining Stephen’s Table, churches distinguish themselves as a place that welcomes prisoners to worship and not a target for manipulation and abuse. And by practicing the limits of benevolence, churches preserve their essential role as a place of “prayer and ministry of the word” while connecting prisoners with community resources to assist them with housing, employment, counseling, healthcare, transportation, clothing, food, etc.
"There is a two-way blessing to a religious community that reaches out to minister to the imprisoned,” says Deacon Tom McConnell of St. Jude Church. “The religious community is blessed on the one hand in their obedience to Christ who tells his followers to visit those in prison; and blessed on the other hand in the richness that associations with the imprisoned bring to the religious community."
Stephen’s Table is actively recruiting member churches. For more information, visit www.stephenstable.net or call Chattanooga Endeavors at 423.266.1888.
