A Church on Death Row: The Inspiring Ministry of Kevin Burns
In a surprising twist of fate, Kevin Burns has turned the confines of Tennessee’s death row into a sanctuary of hope and faith. For the past three decades, Burns has been leading worship services at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, where he has transformed despair into spiritual nourishment for himself and his fellow inmates.
Burns, now 55, was convicted of felony murder related to a robbery that led to the deaths of two young men in 1992. Despite maintaining his innocence, he has found purpose in his faith and has become an ordained minister, founding The Church of Life, a unique congregation comprised entirely of death row inmates.
“It’s incredible what God is doing here,” Burns shared during a recent interview. “I never thought I’d be in a place like this, leading a church service. It’s a church for us, led by us.” His journey from a life marked by tragedy to one of spiritual leadership is a compelling narrative of redemption and faith.
Burns’s ministry is not just about conducting services; it’s about building a community. He leads Bible studies, Communion, and prayer meetings, fostering a sense of belonging among the men who share his fate. However, the church faces challenges, with only a handful of regular attendees among the 45 men on death row in Tennessee. Yet, those who come find solace in the shared faith and support.
Pastor Kevin Riggs of Franklin Community Church, who played a pivotal role in Burns’s ordination, believes The Church of Life may be the only church in the U.S. led by death row inmates. While other states have programs allowing inmates to take seminary classes, the conditions on death row often isolate inmates, making communal worship a rare and precious experience.
Burns’s role as a minister has allowed him to connect deeply with his fellow inmates, offering prayers and leading memorial services for those who have faced execution. He recalls praying with nine men before their executions, a haunting reminder of the reality of life on death row. “I pray I’m not next,” he admits, reflecting the precarious nature of his existence.
The current political climate surrounding the death penalty adds another layer of complexity to Burns’s ministry. With the U.S. experiencing fluctuating attitudes toward capital punishment, the future remains uncertain. Former President Donald Trump’s push for more executions contrasts sharply with President Joe Biden’s efforts to commute sentences for those on federal death row.
Despite the challenges, Burns remains committed to his calling. His ordination in 2018 was a pivotal moment, marking the recognition of his ministry by his church community. The service was a profound experience, attended by family and friends, where hymns were sung, prayers were offered, and Communion was served.
Burns’s Bible, a cherished gift from a mentor, is his primary tool for ministry. It’s a symbol of resilience, reminding him and others that faith can flourish even in the darkest of places. The church services provide a much-needed respite from the harsh realities of prison life, allowing inmates to express their faith and support one another.
Volunteers from Franklin Community Church play a crucial role in this ministry, attending services to assist but allowing the inmates to lead. This approach ensures that the church remains a genuine expression of faith rather than a program imposed from the outside. The impact of these interactions extends beyond the prison walls, influencing the volunteers’ perspectives on justice and redemption.
One inmate, reflecting on his experience, described Church of Life as a light of hope in a place often shrouded in darkness. “While those I called family have written me off, God has not. In this place, there is a way beyond the path I have walked,” he wrote, encapsulating the essence of what Burns has created.
As Burns continues his ministry, he emphasizes the humanity of those on death row. “We are human beings,” he states. “We feel, we love, and we seek redemption.” His mission is clear: to show that even in the face of despair, faith can provide strength and hope.
In a world where the death penalty is a contentious issue, Burns’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of faith, community, and the potential for redemption. His journey is not just about surviving death row but thriving in faith, offering a glimpse of hope to those who need it most.
For more insights on faith and redemption in challenging circumstances, consider exploring resources from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Equal Justice Initiative, which advocate for justice reform and highlight stories of those impacted by the death penalty.