Children who Visited Parents Incarcerated at Rutherford County Jail Get Special Christmas

Dec 22, 2013 at 08:55 pm by bryan


Bishop Allen P. Powell appreciated the Christmas presents his grandson, Jalyn, received Saturday at Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

Jalyn was one of 38 children who visit their parents in jail and received Christmas presents and a meal Saturday, thanks to New Vision Baptist Church and the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.

ADVERTISEMENT

Detention Center visitation employee Shellie Dye, identified the children and gave their names to New Vision Church members who purchased large bags of presents for each child.

“He is so excited about coming down here,” said Bishop Powell of Prophetic Praisers Apostolic Ministries of Tennessee in Smyrna. While Jalyn’s father serves jail time, he is cared for by his mother and grandparents, Bishop Powell and his wife, Dellar.

“We do what we can,” Bishop Powell said. “This was a great help for the family.”

Sheriff Robert Arnold told the parents, grandparents and other caregivers it was a tough time for the families when their loved ones are incarcerated.

“It’s the power of prayer that can get you through this season,” Sheriff Arnold said.

State Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, said Americans must turn the culture of incarceration around by starting with the children.

“The power of prayer is real,” Rep. Sparks said. “I’ve seen miracles happen.”

John Spurgeon of New Vision, who is assistant jail chaplain, said God allowed the inmates to be put in jail so they could “spend time with God.” He urged the families to have “faith their loved ones will come out of 940 transformed.”

The church distributed Christmas cards to inmates Saturday.

 

Sections: News