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Kairos Prison
Ministry is a ministry by persons drawn from a broad range of
denominational churches. Kairos volunteers have
experience in renewal movements within their churches, which focus on
small group dynamics, share and prayer groups, personal
witness and vulnerability in Christian community. It is a continuing
ministry. The primary objective of the 3-day short course is to
prepare selected residents for life in an ongoing Christian community
and to impact the correctional environment through the action
of the leaders, as apostles of Jesus Christ, in all areas of human
activity in the prison.
Team members
participate in a 4-day weekend and monthly follow-up meetings with the
residents at the prison. The weekend is
described as a short course in Christianity. The inter-denominational
team of volunteers — both clergy and laypersons —
works in
cooperation with the Chaplain who carefully selects up to 42 inmate
leaders to attend. Team members have previously participated
in a short course in Christianity (such as the Walk to Emmaus,
Cursillo, Credo, or Tres Dias), attend three or four team-building
meetings in preparation for going into the prison, and commit to attend
one year of monthly reunions after the weekend (currently the
third Saturday of each month from 9:30 to 12:30). The team that goes
into the facility is all the same gender as the residents of the
facility. Those of the opposite gender can play an important support
role for the team.
Volunteers can
support Kairos Inside by letter writing, making posters for the meeting
room and placemats for the meals. Financial
contributions are also welcome as these weekends are provided without
cost to the prisoners.
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