Staff
Thomas Snow
Thomas Snow is the Director of the Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry, a statewide ministry of the Churches of Christ. Thomas is also serving as a Regional Director for NewLife Behaviors. The Tennessee Prison Ministry is currently composed of approximately 200 volunteers from 25 congregations, conducting worship services, Bible classes, and NewLife Behavior classes across the state. Thomas also oversees two board approved halfway houses, New Life Transitional, and directs an annual summer camp for children of the incarcerated. Thomas travels across the state, speaking and conducting training sessions for churches seeking involvement in prison ministry.
Previously, Thomas served fifteen years as the full-time Pulpit Minister for the Trinity Lane Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee. Thomas is a graduate of Freed Hardeman University (B.A.), Middle Tennessee State University (M.A.) and Lipscomb University (M.A.R., and M.Div). . Thomas is currently a D.Min. candidate at Harding School of Theology. Thomas and his wife Donna have four children. The Snows live in Madison, Tennessee.
Ron N. Goodman
Ron N. Goodman is the Director of the Federal Prison Outreach Ministry. Ron is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, having completed additional graduate work at Sam Houston State University in Social Rehabilitation and Social Work. In 1970, Ron became involved in prison ministry while preaching in Huntsville, Texas. It was there he launched a full-time program which continues to thrive today. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1982 to establish a full-time prison work among the churches of Christ in the area, and in 1984 helped to begin the nationally known and recognized Federal Prison Outreach Ministry. In twenty-seven years this ministry has reached prisoners from all fifty states and eighty-five foreign countries. An average of one prisoner a day is being baptized into Christ through these combined efforts. Ron and his wife Becky have two grown children. They worship at the Donelson Church of Christ, where Ron serves as an elder. The Goodmans make their home in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Carole McDonald
Carole McDonald, a member at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, first began working with the Federal Prison Outreach Ministry in 2001 to help Helen Cox, then coordinator for the women’s programming with the ministry. She began volunteering in the office on a regular basis and in 2002 became a part-time employee. In 2005, she was recognized as Volunteer of the Year at Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW).
Currently, Carole teaches several classes in Death Row/Segregation, Special Needs, new admissions, and the Closed Unit at the TPFW. Regularly, she conducts worship services at this prison. Carole also spends one day a week at TPFW working in the Chaplain’s office as a Volunteer Chaplain. Carole serves as secretary to the Community Resource Board at TPFW. She also serves on the Community Resource Board at Turney Center and as secretary to the Tennessee Community Resource Board. She also serves on the Executive Committee of that board.
Carole has a love for the incarcerated. In January, 2007, she became a full-time employee, managing the office as well as spending more time in the prisons. In 2010, Carole began teaching the New Life Behavior/CASA curriculum at the Davidson County Female Correctional Development Center. Later in the year, she began teaching these classes at TPFW. She has recently been named “Women’s Program Coordinator” for the ministry.
Naomi Hurt
Naomi Hurt serves as an assistant with the prison ministry concerning all office responsibilities. Prior to joining the ministry, Naomi was incarcerated on numerous occasions related to illegal behavior to support her drug addiction. She found the Lord upon her last incarceration at TPFW in 2008. Upon her release she entered the New Life Transitional House, sponsored by this ministry. Upon completion, she moved into independent housing and began volunteering at the ministry. Now, she has joined the staff. Naomi has a powerful story of God’s grace, her recovery from addiction and the transformation possible through Christ. She now is able to return to the prisons and local jails to share her story with the incarcerated.
Helen and Harold Cox
The Tennessee Prison Ministry had its beginning in 1963 with the work of Harold and Helen Cox of the Madison Church of Christ. They began the ministry by volunteering at the Nashville jail. In 1984, the Coxes and Ron Goodman formed the Federal Prison Outreach Ministry, a team of volunteers dedicated to traveling across the nation to conduct life-skill seminars in federal prisons. Harold and Helen Cox are recognized as Directors Emeritus of the ministry. Today, with almost 50 years experience, this dedicated Christian couple continues to serve men and women in prison where they are affectionately known as “Mama” and “Papa.”
