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Our Mission

Transform is devoted to men, women, children, and families through mentoring, study, and behavioral intervention, all rooted in the Gospel of Christ. This personal relationship, regardless of age and situation, brings the promise of renewal, restoration, and transformation-for all.

Our Story

 In 1979, a small group of men with a vision began a prison ministry in Chattanooga, and their prayers were answered by the Lord. Meanwhile, a former Vietnam POW, Roger Ingvalson, whose heart was prepared by his experiences, became the ideal candidate to lead as the first Executive Director of what evolved into Chattanooga Prison Ministry.

Under Gretrell Watkins' leadership in 1994, a youth Prevention

Program was initiated, leading to valuable relationships within

schools and opportunities for presentations, prison tours, and

mentoring. What began as a prison ministry evolved into a

regional prison prevention ministry, known as Prison Prevention

Ministries (PPM).


PPM's vision of an after-school program became a reality with the launch of InZone in August 2020 under the leadership of Joe Smith. InZone aims to provide early intervention for at-risk youth who are identified as being susceptible to school failure, drop-out, or delinquency.

Recognizing PPM expanded beyond preventing prison, the board responded to the need for rebranding In 2024. Transform Ministries was established to reflect the belief and the standard of our practices that genuine transformation through Jesus Christ transcends any age and any circumstance.

roger ingvalson founding executive director
gretrell watkins mentor
joe smith and students in inzone
chandler ouzts mentoring inzone students

Our Values

Transform Ministries upholds these virtues and values in our organizational intent, work, and operations. We model these for
the purpose of mentoring to change lives. Knowing that staff, volunteers, BOD, and supporters are likely to be the first and possibly only Jesus seen in the lives of those we serve, we aspire and aim to model the love
of Christ by:
 

Loving others and seeing them as valuable souls with potential,


Serving others to meet their needs and to remove barriers to their best and potential,


Modeling and mentoring the ethics of honesty, hard work, and responsible stewardship,


Reinforcing the values of perseverance, patience, hope, and kindness,


Instilling the eternal truth that the love of Christ renews and restores.

Our Team

Joe Smith2_edited.jpg

Executive Director

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Volunteer Coordinator

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Freddie Nash

InZone Staff

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Prevention Director

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InZone Director

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Operations

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Pam Moore

InZone Staff

Our Board of Directors

Robin Smith, Fred Boeninger, Marsha Drake, Seth Faler, Patsy Henry, Kathy Holloway, Mitchell Meeks, Will Mills, Loranda Siler, Matthew Williams, Jackson Wingfield, Joseph Wingfield, Angie Wynn

Contact Us

Address

Mailing:

PO Box 3026 Chattanooga, TN 37404

Physical: 

5208 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343

Contact

General:

423-622-5768

InZone:

423-750-1148

Opening Hours

Mon - Thurs

10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Transform Ministries

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