Kairos Prison Ministry

Kairos Prison Ministry International is an interdenominational Christian ministry that aims to address the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, children, and their families. [1]

Three programs come together as part of Kairos Prison Ministry: Kairos Inside, Kairos Outside, and Kairos Torch.

History

Kairos Prison Ministry began in 1967 in Raiford, Florida as a program called Cursillo in Prison. Dubbed a "short course in Christianity", the program had spread to six US states by 1978. It was eventually renamed "Kairos", which is a Greek term meaning "God's Special Time".

Programs

Three programs are included in the Kairos Prison Ministry operation. Retreatants do not need to be Christian to participate in the events.

Kairos Inside

Kairos Inside is a division of Kairos Prison Ministry that works inside prisons to develop a sense of Christian fellowship. It works in both male and female prisons, and is led by same-gender volunteers. The 3.5-day retreat includes talks, discussions, and chapel meditations.

The Kairos Inside program strives to create Christian communities inside prisons. These communities might pray or share fellowship together on a regular basis.[2]

Kairos Outside

Kairos Outside is a ministry that caters to female family members of the incarcerated. It is a 2.5-day event that strives to create a support community with those navigating the incarceration of a friend or family member where women feel comfortable sharing experiences and can build relationships with others in similar situations. It includes talks, music, prayer, and activities to build community.

Though the program was originally created as a support group for those whose loved ones are imprisoned, women who weren't able to attend a Kairos Inside program are also eligible for a Kairos Outside event. [3]

Kairos Torch

Kairos Torch is a youth mentorship program. It usually begins with a retreat in youth detention centers or correctional facilities for people under 25. The mission of the program is to engage the prisoners' reasoning skills in order to seek balance.

Kairos Torch volunteers commit to a weekly mentoring process with youth for six months after the retreat. The process aims to break the cycle of incarceration in a family, as most incarcerated youth have at least one parent who was also incarcerated. [4]

References

  1. ↑ "Kairos of Texas". www.kairostexas.org. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  2. ↑ "Kairos Prison Ministry - Kairos Inside Prison Program". Kairos Prison Ministry. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  3. ↑ "Kairos Prison Ministry - Kairos Outside Womens Program". Kairos Prison Ministry. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  4. ↑ "Kairos Prison Ministry - Kairos Torch Youth Program". Kairos Prison Ministry. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
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