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Charles Atkins is founder and principal researcher of XL Endeavors (http://XtraLenz.com), which uses academic, career consulting and artistic platforms to develop human capacities. He focuses on encouraging and empowering people who have been incarcerated, while providing institutions with the tools and resources to successfully reintegrate returning citizens to their communities.
Atkins.XLE@gmail.com / CharlesEdwardAtkinsJr.com
Before receiving his Ph.D. in Practical Theology and Life Management at the Université de Montréal, Atkins had the honor of serving as a Chaplain within the New Jersey Department of Corrections for 20 years where he developed and administered inmate enrichment programs in religious studies, preparation for re-entry, life purpose discernment and goal achievement in the hope of helping people to match their professed values with their life practices. The textbook produced from his dissertation, The Word Confined: Bible Study in an American Prison (Nova Science Publishers, 2020), summarizes his observations that despite living in extremely difficult conditions, certain people can gain and share extraordinary insights into one’s faith, one’s society and oneself. Since 2024, Dr. Atkins has also been blessed with the opportunity to practice his faith and to serve at the First Baptist Church of Langhorne, PA (http://FBCLanghornePA.org)
“Amipotence Confined,” online at https://c4ort.com/essays/amipotence-confined/ (24 February 2025) and as a chapter in the book: Amipotence, Vol.2.: Expansion and Application. Brandon Brown Fran Stedman, Deanna M Young, Steve Fountain (eds.) Grasmere, Idaho: SacraSage Press. 2024.
“Liberty to the Captives: From Spiritual Renewal in Prison to Oneness with the Infinite,” in the book Nondualism: An Interreligious Exploration. New York: Lexington Books. 2023.
The Word Confined: Bible Study in an American Prison. Nova Science Publishers. New York: 2020
Prison as a Unique Environment for Spiritual Renewal“Spécificités de l’environnement carcéral dans un contexte de renouveau spirituel,“ in the book Prison, prisonniers et spiritualité. Hémisphères Éditions. Paris: 2020.
“The ‘Logos’ Bible Study: Experience of Building a Model of Effective Religious Education in the 21st Century,” Journal of Religious Education, Vol. 115, No. 1, Jan.-Feb. 2020, 70-82.
“Using the Language of Christian Love and Charity’: What Liberal Religion Offers Higher Education in Prison,” MDPI: Religions, 26 February 2019, 10 / 169. (https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/3/169/pdf)
“Fake Joy: Substance Abuse and Young People’s Search for Wholeness,” The Empowering Youth Lecture Series. New Haven, CT: Yale Youth Ministry Institute at Yale Divinity School 2018. https://youtu.be/wHlu-f-7oX4
The Prison Parish « La paroisse en prison » (“The Prison Parish”) Lefebvre, S. and Ndongala Maduku, I.(eds.) Paroisses en transition. Bilan et questions. Laboratoire de théologie pratique I, Faculté de théologie et de sciences des religions, Université de Montréal, 2014.
Teaching Spiritual Entrepreneurship (2023-2025, Princeton Theological Seminary)
Workwell Partnership Workforce Development Program for Returning Citizens (2022-2023 XL Endeavors, LLC / www.XtraLenz.com)
Joy and the Good Life (2018, Yale Institute for Faith & Culture)
Project Grants for Researchers (2016, Louisville Institute)
Amachi Mentoring Children of Prisoners (2003-2005, Jericho Prison Ministries & Shiloh Baptist Church Community Development Corporation)
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