Approximately 40 inmates at the Daviess County Detention Center participated in a special Christmas service on Friday. The event combined carols, scripture readings, personal testimonies, and a gospel presentation.
Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson spearheaded the annual event with help from other community leaders. He said it has been a longstanding tradition for nearly two decades.
Watson credited his former middle school football coach, Tom Turner, for introducing him to the initiative years ago.
“This has been a blessing at Christmas,” Watson said. “We had about eight guys come up and accept Jesus Christ as their savior at the end. It’s always inspiring and reminds us of the real meaning of the season.”
The service featured music led by Bob Meythaler on the keyboard and included about 10-12 holiday songs interspersed with testimonies. Watson described how the inmates’ attitudes transformed throughout the service.
“They come in just glad to be out of the cell for a while,” Watson said. “But as the service goes on, they start leaning forward and really engaging. It’s remarkable to see.”
Local pastors, including The Rev. Greg Faulls, shared messages of faith and hope. Other speakers gave deeply personal testimonies, including former Deputy David Osborne, who survived being shot five times.
Watson emphasized the importance of offering hope and faith to the inmates during the holiday season.
“We tell them, ‘We’re here because we haven’t forgotten about you,’” Watson said. “There’s a whole world out there that hasn’t given up on them, and we don’t want them to give up on themselves.”
Daviess County Jailer Art Maglinger praised the event.
“This is more than just a superficial time for the inmates to get out of their housing units,” Maglinger said. “It’s a meaningful and deeply spiritual time for many of us. I am grateful to Mayor Watson and the other community leaders for helping us spread Christmas cheer.”
Maglinger also recognized the efforts of staff members who helped facilitate the event, including Major Jones; Captain Coomes; Lieutenants Ezell, Longest, and Stiff; Sergeant Hempfling; and Deputy Hicks.
“It’s been a blessing to help facilitate and participate in this event for the past eight years,” Maglinger said.
Watson said the event is as meaningful for the volunteers as it is for the inmates.
“There were tears in people’s eyes,” Watson said. “If we can just reach one person, it’s been a success. The good Lord willing, we’ll get to do it again next year.”
