Kairos Prison Ministry
Kairos is an interdenominational Christian ministry whose programs are designed to be presented in state and federal men’s and women’s correctional institutions. The national board of Kairos Prison Ministry Inc. governs this ministry with headquarters in Winter Park, Florida. The ministry is conducted, in cooperation with the chaplains of correctional institutions, by teams of laity and clergy who are selected, trained and certified by area governing bodies of Kairos and approved by correctional institutions as citizen volunteers.
Kairos Prison Ministry is a ministry by persons drawn from a broad range of denominational churches. Kairos volunteers have experience in renewal movements such as Emmaus, Cursillo, Tres Dias, Via de Cristo and related groups. Each of these ministries focuses on small group dynamics, share and prayer groups, personal witness and vulnerability in Christian community. Kairos is a continuing ministry. The primary objective of the 4-day short course is to prepare selected residents for life in an ongoing Christian community.
The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry in Virginia is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities.
What Can you do to support the Kairos Ministry?
Join a Team
There is always a need for both men and women team members. In Virginia, we currently minister at seven maximum-security prisons and have several more asking for programs. When you join a team you are making an ongoing commitment not only for the 4 day weekend, but also to return every month over the next 24 months to attend reunion groups and other weekend programs. During the 4-day weekends, team members share God’s love with about 40 residents of the facility. (The team I support goes to Sussex II state prison, in Waverly, Va.) Friendships develop and are renewed each time you return for a subsequent weekend. It is a blessing to see how our Lord can change hard hearts to loving hearts in just 4 days.Supply Home Made Cookies
Homemade cookies, baked with prayer, are a significant tool used during a Kairos Weekend. They are used to soften the hardened and callused hearts to allow Jesus to come in through the power of the Holy Spirit. Where permitted, we need around 4,000 DOZEN cookies for a weekend.
To provide cookies, work with a team member who can provide you with the specific requirements for a given institution and the dates when the cookies will be needed.Be a Prayer Partner
Prayer is critical to the success of any weekend in the correctional facility. Without prayer, non of what we do would be possible. Starting at 3:00 pm, Thursday through 3:00pm Sunday, 30 minute time slots are available for those who wish to sign up to pray for the Kairos team, the residents and the staff of the facility and all those who are supporting the weekend. The objective is, to create a “Prayer Chain” to encompass the entire weekend with non-stop prayers.Be a Sponsor
Individuals and Christian communities are needed to help with the sponsoring of the residents who come to participate in a multi-denominational 4-day weekend. Prison residents hear the gospel message proclaimed and we supply cookies and support materials.Total weekend expenses average $125 per resident. That’s $5,000 for a 4 day weekend, depending on the number of participating residence. Currently members of the teams have to bear most of the cost, as only limited scholarships are available. In Virginia, our ministry needs to grow and your financial support would be greatly appreciated.
Please see the donate button provided in the menu.