What is Kairos?
Kairos is an interdenominational Christian Ministry designed to give residents of correctional institutions the opportunity to experience a religious renewal, and to accept God's call to a life of Christian witness and service to one another during their stay in the institution and beyond.
How does Kairos begin in an institution?
Kairos begins with the presentation of a 3-day short course in Christianity, presented to residents of the institution who have been identified by the chaplain as leaders within the inmate community. The course is presented by a team of 50 to 55 men (or women in a women's institution), made up of both clergy and laypersons drawn from the outside Christian community surrounding the institution. All team members will have participated in the Walk to Emmaus or a similar short course in Christianity.
Does Kairos Work?
Kairos files are filled with letters from prison superintendents, wardens, correctional officers, and other members of the criminal justice system, all testifying to the positive impact the Kairos ministry has had on the quality of life within prisons across this country and Canada. The Kairos program significantly reduces recidivism rates for Kairos participants who one day are released from prison.
Can I help if I haven't participated in a Walk to Emmaus?
Yes. There are many opportunities to contribute to the Kairos ministry:
- Participation on a Kairos Team - the Kairos ministry is always in need of individuals to participate in a Kairos weekend. Team members meet once each week in the eight weeks preceding the Kairos weekend, followed by the 3-day weekend at the institution. You must have participated in the Walk to Emmaus or a similar program in order to serve on a Kairos team.
- Prayer - the Christian inmate community and the Kairos team members will be in great need of focused prayer throughout the Kairos weekend and during the weeks that precede it.
- Letters - many of the 42 inmates who are chosen to attend the Kairos weekend have never received a letter. A brief note is all that is necessary, but they must be provided in groups of 42. Have a letter writing party or have your Sunday school classes write, and put them in groups of 42. Address the letters to "Dear Brother (Sister) in White" and sign them with your first name only. Children's letters especially touch their hearts.
- Cookies - Kairos has sometimes been referred to as the "cookie ministry". Throughout the Kairos weekend, inmates are offered cookies that have been prepared and prayed over by the outside Christian community (it is our goal to have several thousand cookies ready for each Kairos weekend). These cookies are a tangible expression of Christian love and caring to a group of people who seldom encounter either in the course of their daily lives. This small act of giving has a profound impact on these prison residents.
- Financial Contributions - For more information, go to http://www.kairosofgeorgia.org/getinvolved.html
- Agape from Children - have your Sunday school classes make drawings for place mats for the meals that are served during the Kairos weekend, or prepare posters for the inmates. These special demonstrations of love win hearts for the Lord.
- Closing - for those of you who have attended a Walk to Emmaus or similar weekend, plan to attend an upcoming Kairos weekend closing service at Hays State Prison. It means a lot to these new Christians to see and feel the support of the outside Christian community.
How can I learn more?
Visit the Kairos Georgia website http://www.kairosofgeorgia.org
or the National Kairos website www.kairosprisonministry.org.
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