A group of inmates at the Daviess County Detention Center recently gathered for an outdoor worship service organized by Matthew’s Table, a local church with a deep connection to those overcoming addiction and incarceration. The event has become an annual tradition, offering inmates an opportunity for spiritual reflection and encouragement while navigating the challenges of life behind bars.
Pastor Roger Chilton, who leads Matthew’s Table, shared his testimony during the service. Chilton said he understands the inmates’ struggles firsthand as a former inmate.
“Our inspiration is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the inmates,” Chilton said. “We hope to encourage them by showing up when they are in a dark season of their life. I had been there myself before.”
The unique partnership between Matthew’s Table and the jail began under the leadership of Daviess County Jailer Art Maglinger, who has prioritized reintroducing these services since becoming jailer in 2017.
“The spiritual parts are really an important part of the inmates’ lives,” Maglinger said. “It can be the most profound thing in their lives to create the change they need to reenter society and become better citizens.”
Maglinger explained that the event requires extra staffing and logistical planning to ensure security and proper coordination. The service was held outdoors within the jail’s fenced perimeter and was voluntary for inmates. For safety reasons, he said certain inmates who would be considered high-risk are not allowed to attend. However, most of the jail’s population is allowed to participate in the service.
“The service itself is similar to what you would see at any church,” Maglinger said. “They play a few worship songs, and then Pastor Chilton gives a sermon, sharing his personal story about being incarcerated and how he turned his life around. It’s pretty meaningful for the inmates.”
Maglinger said for many inmates, the service is more than just a chance to hear a sermon. It’s a moment of connection and hope as “they witness others who have successfully navigated the same struggles they face.”
He said seeing former inmates return to share their stories of success is a powerful reminder of the potential for change.
“There’s a guy that just got released two weeks ago, and to see him drive up on his own and in plain clothes was a little weird at first, but I went up and hugged him,” Maglinger said. “He’s doing better. He’s got a job with a local employer here, which had actually come with that reentry program.”
He added that it’s not uncommon for former inmates to attend the service alongside the general public, who are invited to stand outside the fenced area to join in the worship experience.
“It’s pretty neat to see guys that have stabilized and got their life back on track for their families,” Maglinger said. “You get jaded sometimes, knowing that a lot of people don’t change, but when you see them back in the community, doing better, it makes you feel good.”
Maglinger said the service is a boost not just for the inmates but also for the staff, who often witness inmates at their lowest points.
“I don’t know how all of them feel about doing stuff like this,” Maglinger said, “but I do think it’s neat for them to see something uplifting. They have a tendency to see people at their worst every day, so this is a different experience.”
Maglinger credits Pastor Chilton and the Matthew’s Table congregation for their dedication to reaching out to those in need, not only inside the jail but also in the broader Owensboro community.
“Matthew’s Table does a lot of work outside their church building, too,” Maglinger said. “They recently hosted a community event in one of the highest-crime areas of Owensboro, and they’re always looking for ways to serve. It’s pretty powerful to see a church like that get bigger and bigger, reaching people in those tough spots.”
