Alpha House seeks to minister to whole person

This is a letter to the East Tennessee area, especially the Anderson County community at large, and all churches within the scope of this paper.

I have several questions for those pondering what they can do for the betterment of our community to combat the rampant moral depravity that is sweeping the entire nation.

It seems we cannot turn on the television without encountering another horror story about a berserk madman shooting people in a public place.

Crime is on the rise, and, in turn, our jails are full.

Who is committing these crimes?

Our sons and our daughters. You may say no, not my son or daughter, but I would be willing to bet that the parents of the Aurora shooter in Colorado never suspected that their son would someday murder people on an average night in August.

What if we could prevent crimes like this one from happening in the first place? What could have happened if someone reached James Holmes before his murderous rampage?

What might be done in our own city, county and state to thwart the growing problems that face us as we struggle with the problems of crime and all the heartache that stems from it?

I propose a place and a purpose to you today.

There is a place in Oliver Springs that is endeavoring to change the status quo. Alpha House is a transitional home for women leaving incarceration.

It is a six-month, Christian-based program that mentors and disciples’ women from broken homes, broken families and broken lives.

One woman at a time, Alpha House mentors and walks beside each person and ministers to the whole person: body, soul, spirit and mind.

It seeks to break the harmful cycles, behavior and addictions that have enslaved them and introduce them to the person of Jesus Christ and a new way of thinking and living.

They seek to restore these women to their families and their community whole and with the ability to give back to society instead of taking.

It is said that we must be the change that we want to see in the world.

What are we willing to give in order to make that happen?

Our time, our talents, and our money?

What price for a soul?

I propose that there is a local ministry right here in the heart of East Tennessee that is making a difference.

What can you do to help? When you help change one woman you are not only helping her, you are helping all those around her.

We must start somewhere.

How about here?

Diana Crabtree, Alpha House
Oliver Springs