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Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Dickson County, Tennessee January 1, 2008 Chaplain Jethro B. Smith (615) 740-4919 Primary Responsibilities 1. Pastoral services to the inmates of the facility 2. Available to the families of inmates 3. Teachers and minister to the Sheriff's Department 4. Chaplain is the liaison for all clergy who are called on to minister in the jail 5. Provide care and support in conjunction with the entire community 6. Community involvement by recruiting and training volunteers to minister in the jail, with inmates and their families, in aftercare program, along with support and assistance in raising fund for the ministry.
Additional Responsibilities
Other Staff Personal Assigned Forty Four Volunteers Specific Area Considerations Dickson County was the first in Tennessee to have a Good News Jail & Prison Ministry chaplain. With the next nearest Chaplain over three hundred miles away, it has been a process of education as to who Good News is and what they do.
History of Good News Jail & Prison Ministry In Dickson County, Tennessee
Ministry history Good News Jail & Prison Ministry (GNJ&PM) is an independent mission founded in 1960. Mission Headquarters is 2230 Parham Road, Suite 200 Richmond Virginia 23228-2226, Each chaplain is a faith ministry and must raise and sustain his own support for the ministry. GNJ&PM receives 16.5% of all funds raised for mission operations. In the fall of 1995 Sheriff Tom Wall contacted Good News Headquarters about placing a chaplain in the Dickson County Jail. The county had recently completed the move into the new Jail with a capacity of 125 inmates. April 15, 1996 Dickson County Jail became the first in Tennessee to have a Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Chaplain with Bob Azsbach coming here from Charlottesville Virginia. By May the average population was 170 inmates. The old Jail (Annex) was remodeled and returned to use in October 1996 housing 74 inmates (comprised of 40 work detail inmates & 34 female inmates). On January 1, 1997 Joe Collins became Chaplain as Bob Azsbach returned to Virginia to start a new ministry. Jethro B. Smith became Chaplain on April 16 2001, as Joe Collins left to start a new ministry in Harrison County, Gulfport , MS . The current average daily population is 210 inmates. The average daily intake is 16 inmates totaling nearly 5,835 inmates per year. In addition, the GNJ&PM chaplain serves as Chaplain to the Sheriff’s Department ministering to over 100 deputies, correctional officers, and support staff.
Volunteers Volunteers are an important part of the work at the jail. Not only do they assist the chaplain in ministry to inmates in the jail but also serve as a vital link from jail to the Christian community. There are currently 44 active volunteers from 20 churches involved in ministry in the jail. Of the 44, twenty-seven are cleared to minister in side the jail. There are an average of 3 worship services, 5 bible studies, 2 anger management, 1 GED Classes, 2 substance abuse classes, each week with an average attendance of 45.
Life Learning Program On August 12 (1998), a Life Learning Program was begun in AI-Pod@ with 10 men. The Life Learning Program is three month, voluntary, Foundations of the faith program@ that teaches how to make life all it can be by living out your Christianity seven days a week. Subjects covered include; Marriage & the family, Dealing with authority, Balancing relationships, Job search skills, How to study the Bible, Co-dependency, Anger management, how to balance priorities and manage multiple projects. Thru December 31, 2007 one hundred and thirty men had graduated from the Life Learning program.
Year End Statistics For 2007 In 2007 we had 411 private counseling sessions with inmates and officers, the chaplain and volunteers led 174 worship services and Bible studies with 2,337 inmates attending. 46 trusted Christ as Lord and Savior, 26 recommitted their life to Christ as Lord, Officers and Inmates completed 2,163 Bible Study Lessons
Support 23 churches, 145 individuals, 20 businesses and the inmate welfare fund currently support us. Our estimated 2008 budget is $ 81,409 which includes salary, insurance, all overhead and operational expenses. Also, there is two-fund raiser a year to assist us in meeting our financial obligation, April 24, Banquet, September 27, Steps to freedom. To: Our Faithful and Dedicated Supporters/Partners in ministry. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Cor.15: 57 From: Chaplain, President’s Council and Volunteers of Dickson County Jail. Thank to all of you for the continues support to the jail ministry, be blessed…you are the best. A Prayer of Thanks We gave the thanks, O Lord, for our faithful and dedicated supporters whom so freely give, their dedication is such an inspiration a cause in which they live, We give the thanks, O Lord for their gift the are beautiful flowers, from the churches, businesses, and individuals that are really ours, we give the thanks, O Lord, for the stars so brightly shinning at night, the moon’s soft and golden light, which glows and brings another day’s light. We give the thanks, O Lord, for our faithful and dedicated supporters the beauty in them we see, and most of all to Christ Jesus who is forever, we lift our hearts to thee. Lord is in the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Directions to Dickson County Jail
Directions to Dickson County Jail , Charlotte TN. Phone (615) 789-4140, Fax 615 789-7025
Located at: 146 County Jail Road, (Listed as Doyle's Hill Drive on map) Charlotte Tennessee, 37036
It is approximately: 7 52 (fifty two) miles West of down Nashville Tennessee 56 (Fifty Six) miles West of Nashville International Airport (BNA) 185 (One Hundred Eighty Five) miles East of Memphis Tennessee 27 (Twenty Seven) miles South of Clarksville Tennessee
From Nashville TN I-40 West to Exit 182 (Hwy 96) Go North (Left) on Hwy 96 A proxy. 11 Miles until it dead-ends into Hwy 70 Left on Hwy 70 2 Miles to Henslee Drive (Hwy 70 Bypass) Bear Right on 70 Bypasses to Hwy 48 North. Exit right onto 48 north. 8 Miles to Charlotte Tennessee. There is a stop sign at the bottom of the hill at the intersection of Hwy. 48 & 49E Turn right onto Hwy 49 East Go 0.3 Mile looks for Tracy Academy road/ County Jail road on left. Turn Left on Tracy Academy St. Proceed 0.3 miles to County Jail Road, (Listed on Map as Doyle’s Hill Dr.) Turn Right on County Jail Road,/Doyle’s Hill Rd. Proceed 0.2 Mile to County Jail.
From Jackson/Memphis TN Take Interstate 40 East to Exit 172 (TN-46) (Dickson / Centerville Exit) Proceed north on TN 46 approximately 5.5 miles to Henslee Drive (US-70 Bypass). (TN-46 dead end's into Henslee Drive , you must turn left or right) Turn Left (West) onto Henslee Dr. Proceed 0.3 Miles to TN-48 North. (To: Clarksville, Charlotte) Exit right (North) on TN-48; proceed approximately 8 miles to intersection of TN-48 and TN-49 East (This is a three way intersection with stop sign for all traffic) Turn Right (East) on TN-49 Proceed 0.3 miles to Tracy Academy Street Turn Left on Tracy Academy St. Proceed 0.3 miles to County Jail Road (Listed on Map as Doyle’s Hill Dr.) Turn Right on County Jail Road/Doyle’s Hill Rd. Proceed 0.2 Mile to County Jail.
From Kentucky/Clarksville Tennessee /Interstate 24 West On Interstate 24 Take (Tennessee) Exit 4 (US-79) Take US-79 South (A proxy, 6 miles South of I-24 [after Crossing Red River], US-79 Turns right TN-48 continues straight), When US-79 turns right Continue Straight ahead on TN-48 to Riverside Drive (US-41A) (Must turn Left or Right at Riverside) Turn Left on Riverside Dr. to intersection of US-41A & TN-13/TN-48 South (1.5-2.0 miles) (Will be first intersection you can turn right on as river is no longer on your right) Turn Right (South) on TN-13/TN-48 Continue South on TN-48 to Charlotte TN (25 Miles) (After 10 miles TN-13 will turn right off of TN-48, Continue on TN-48 South) At the Stop Light (Intersection TN-48 & TN-49 West) Turn Left on Academy St. (beside School) Go One Block To Stop Sign. Turn Right on Humphries Street. Go One Block Turn Left on County Jail Road (Listed on Map as Doyle’s Hill Dr.) Proceed Two Blocks to County Jail
Profile - Chaplain J.B. Smith
Jethro B. Smith is an Ordained Minister, and is serving as the Chaplain of Dickson County, he is a preacher, counselor, teacher, and writer. He is presently pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Education from David Lipscomb University. He earned a Bachelor of Theology Degree in 1996 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1995 from the American Baptist College.
On February 16, 1989, Jethro confessed Christ as “Lord and Personal Savior,” and was baptized on Easter Sunday Morning, April 1989, and in October 1989 he received his call into the Gospel Ministry.
During the course of his Outreach Ministry, J.B. Smith developed a discipleship survey and established various evangelism support groups. He has lectured on such topics as: Mission and Ministry in the Local Church, A Major Word from a Minor Prophet, The Counterfeit Congregation, To Hot to Stop, Breaking Out of this UN-Godly House, Competitive Christian, 99 ½ Just Won’t Do, Conversion before Conception, Mission and Ministry in the Local Church, and Inspiration for Living.
J.B. has also had some of his works published: A Thesis-“Holistic Mission of the Church”- American Baptist College, Christian Education Informer and YES Magazine at SSPB, and served as Associate Editor and Writer of Greater Vision Newsletter.
Related Facts In the fall of 1995 Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Chaplain Ralph Self attended a conference in Colorado. Dickson County Sheriff’s Department Captain Vance Bowker attended same conference and heard Ralph’s testimony. He brought word to Sheriff Tom Wall of the ministry who then contacted Good News Head quarters about placing a chaplain in Dickson County. The County completed the move into the new jail with a capacity of 125 inmates in December 1995.
Feb 1996: Doug Hoey and Bob Azsbach explored the county in a feasibility study to determine if it could support a Chaplain. April 15, 1996: Bob Azsbach Becomes chaplain at Dickson County Jail June 1996: A prayer breakfast was held as the first fundraiser Nov. 1996: Appreciation/fund raising banquet held at National Guard Armory. Announcement was made that Joe Collins would be taking over as Chaplain as Bob Azsbach would be returning to Virginia to start a new ministry. January 1, 1997: Joe Collins becomes chaplain March 21: Held prayer breakfast at King’s Court (First fund raising event hosted by Joe Collins) September 1997: First President’s Council meeting to prepare for fall banquet November 7, 1997: Appreciation banquet held at Dickson County Senior High School March 16, 1998: Another Chapter Behavior Modification Program started in B-Pod with 16 men enrolled. From March to August 10 men Graduated from the program August 12,1998, Another Chapter Program converted to Life Learning Program reduced in size to 10 men. Thru July 31, 1999, nine men had graduated from the program. April 16, 2001: Jethro B. Smith became the Chaplain of Dickson Country. April 26, 2001: Annual fund raising banquet held at Tannsco Community Center. May 16, 2001: Article appeared front page of Dickson Herald Newspaper. “Smith Brings his Ministry to Local Jail” by Terri Burton, staff writer. June 1,2001, First Publication of News Letters “Dickson County New Chaplain off and running” “Sheriff Tom Wall welcomes Chaplain J.B.Smith” “Chaplain, Chairman & Sheriff are on a crusade for Christ” As of August 2001- Anger Management is offered to trustees and life learning program. August 17, 2001: News Channel Five interview-Chaplain, inmates and volunteers. September 29, 2001: Steps to Freedom held at J. Dan Buckner Park. November 16, 2001: News Channel Five interview-Sheriff, Chaplain and inmates. November 28, 2001: Sheriff Wall sends 600 letters to our faithful sponsors of the ministry. December 12, 2001: Article appearing on front page of the Dickson Herald. “Program helps felony build better life” “Court Agenda is beating unfriendly foe.”
December 21,2001: Article appearing on front page of the Dickson Herald. “Inmates follow Chaplain plan led down more productive part” December 18, 2001: Volunteers Christmas Appreciation at Town & Country Restaurant. Hosted by Chairman, Sheriff & Chaplain March 22, 2002: Chaplain on front page, Drug Court Lauds First Graduate.
April 25, 2002: 7th Annual Fund Raising Banquet at Tenneco Community Center. Hosted By Jerry & Glenda Johnson April 25, 2002: Chaplain on front page, Recovering addict takes it a day at a time. May 10, 2002: Jail ministry marks successful year. Front page, Head Line News. Staff Writer For Dickson Herald Is Cecil Haithcoat, Articles. September 28, 2002: Steps to Freedom Walk/Run From Buckner Park to Holland Park. October 4,2002: 5k raise $3, 560 for ministry, 30 people walk/run in support the chaplain. Front page of the Dickson Herald. A live band plays music in the park. Jail ministry continues to grow with community supportFriday, February 14, The Dickson Herald, by Cecil Haithcoat April 24th The 7th Annual fund raising Banquet/Dinner Phil E. Van Gorp,Special guest speaker. Hosted By Vance and Connie BowkweHull,Smith married in NashvilleMay 9th 2003,The Dickson Herold, The Tennessean May 18th ,The Nashville pride October. Jail Ministry Does Not receive County tax dollars The Dickson Herald-By Tom Wall, Gust Column July 25th September 27th 5k “Steps to Freedom” Jail Ministry 5k raises $2,800 to benefit inmates programThe Dickson Herald, October 10th ,By Cecily Haithcoat, staff writerPrison Ministry program in the business of changing inmates life, The Dickson Herald, Friday, April 30, 2004, by Cecily Haithcot staff writer.Wal-Mart donates to Jail ministry program, The Dickson Herald, Friday, July 23, 2004.Civitan Club awards $3,000 to groups, The Dickson Herald, Wednesday, August 25, 2004.Jail Ministry program receives donation, The Dickson Herald, June 2, 2004.Dickson County Jail hosts ‘Weekend of Champions’, The Dickson Herald, September 1, 2004.Jail Ministry Walk raises $5,000 for inmate program, The Dickson Herald, October 13, 2004.The Lord has truly blessed us in the ministry in Dickson County; I am looking forward to 2004 and beyond serving with you in ministry. I am available to come and speak to churches, civic clubs, organizations, mission groups, and others about the scope and needs of this ministry by calling me at, 740-4919. Thank You,
January 20, 2004
Thank you for doing your part to help provide Good News Chaplain to Dickson County Jail
Subject….”for God loves a cheerful giver.” II Cor. 9:7 NIV
To…. Our Faithful Sponsors/Partners of the Jail Ministry
With special thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Because of your gracious and generous donation to the ministry, God blesses us through you. A Good News Chaplain takes the gospel of Jesus Christ to the men and women behind bars, where our objective everyday is to turn tragedy into triumph for the inmates.
I ‘m so thankful for your willingness to support us both financially and spiritually. Therefore, it’s a positive alternative for the Intimates who are committed to turning their lives around, 56 professions of faith and 23 recommitments to Jesus Christ as Lord.
As your Chaplain, my focus is on Salvation, Education and Communication in order to mold and shape their lives. God says, “change the person and the behavior will change,” a miraculous event that takes place only as inmates makes a life changing decision for Jesus Christ.
On behalf of your Chaplain, the President’s Council and the entire Volunteers of the Jail Ministry, we say “but thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Cor 15:57, and for your many gifts to our ministry.
I count it a privilege to serve as your Chaplain in Dickson County . Let me assure you, that our Sheriff really appreciates “all” the support you are giving to the Jail Ministry.
Continue to be bless, because you are the best in what you’re doing. God bless you, you bless the ministry and the ministry blesses the inmates and the entire community. Again thank you for, “Remembering those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3 NIV
Service with you, I amJ.B. Smith |
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