Blog – Page 7 – Kairos Prison Ministry

God’s timing: Changing the Lives of Young Adult Prisoners

God’s timing: Changing the Lives of Young Adult Prisoners

Article Published in The Florida Catholic Written by Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic – June 26, 2018 Second in a three part series. After years of working with adult men, answering the call of Matthew’s Gospel to visit the imprisoned, a federal prison chaplain in Miami requested that Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. create a model to give younger inmates a “positive family experience.” The hope was early intervention would change the course of their lives and break the cycle of crime. Kairos Torch was born in 1997 and launched in a youth facility in Oklahoma to minister to adults 25 and under. There are currently two similar programs in Central Florida, one in Daytona Beach and the other in Orlando. The incarcerated are introduced to Christ’s unconditional love and forgiveness during a weekend retreat. The retreat is followed by six months of mentoring. As youth are still maturing, this “is the most important element” in the process says Our Lady of Lourdes parishioner Brian Seeber, who heads the program for the Daytona Beach Juvenile Residential Facility. The goal is to encourage offenders to see their God-given potential. It is an effort that takes time, God’s time, the definition of kairos. Seeber and his wife, Lynne, have trained volunteers since 2013 with the encouragement of their pastor, Father Phil Egitto. Don Hartnett is a parishioner and retired police officer who has seen the benefits firsthand. “Once they’re in the system, most write themselves off,” shared Hartnett. “They know that next time, it’s the end of the line. Kairos Torch gives them hope.” Seeber noted, “What I really like about this ministry is that it is ecumenical in nature… and permits Christians to work together the way Christ intended. Having Christians coming to Our Lady of Lourdes for the extensive

By Jaime Ramirez|August 2nd, 2018|Kairos Programs, Kairos Torch|0 Comments

Kairos Inside Featured in The Florida Catholic

Kairos Inside Featured in The Florida Catholic

Kairos gives hope, faith to inmates Click to continue reading…

By Jaime Ramirez|July 6th, 2018|Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Kairos Prison Ministry To Hold #1 Kairos Inside Program At Grimes Unit In Newport, Arkansas

Kairos Prison Ministry To Hold #1 Kairos Inside Program At Grimes Unit In Newport, Arkansas

NEWS RELEASE For information contact: Bill McVay Marketing and Communications marketing@kpmi.org (407) 629-4948 Studies have shown program helps to reduce inmate recidivism and improves the prison environment DeBary, FL. – Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, announces the start of a Kairos Inside Program at the Grimes Unit located in Jackson County, Arkansas beginning Thursday, June 28th. The Weekend event will be the first Kairos Inside Weekend at this facility and is another step forward in helping inmates transform their lives. Kairos Inside is a ministry program whose mission is to develop a Christian community inside the prison. The program results in an improved prison living environment, reduced recidivism after leaving prison, safer communities, and healed families based on personal transformations. Up to 42 inmates participate in the 3.5 day Weekend program based on a series of talks, discussions, prayer, and chapel meditations with the aim of creating or continuing a desire for spiritual growth. The Weekend will then be followed up with Continuing Ministry of monthly Reunions and weekly Prayer and Share groups which provides an authentic and vital Christian community for accountability and encouragement. Grimes Unit is a medium/maximum security institution located in Jackson County, Arkansas. The facility houses up to 1000 inmates and employs over 230 people. Grimes Unit has a large population of technical parole violators, meaning inmates who have had to return to prison because they violated one or more of the terms of their original parole release. Kairos also is in need of volunteers for future Weekends. Opportunities may include purchasing cookies, making artwork, prayer, team support, financial support, and participating in a team. For more, please visit kairosprisonministry.org/volunteer-opportunities. About Kairos Prison Ministry Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is a lay-led, interdenominational Christian ministry in which men and women

By Jaime Ramirez|June 21st, 2018|#1 Weekend, Kairos Inside, Newsroom, Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Volunteer Testimony Featured on GreatNonprofits.org

Volunteer Testimony Featured on GreatNonprofits.org

07/21/2018 Rating:5 In 1986 my father was murdered by an 18-year-old boy who was looking for drug money. It was a devastating experience for me, as I was very close to my father. During my prayer time after this terrible experience, I felt God was leading me to pray for the boy who killed my dad. I knew that He loved this boy because he was created by Him. I knew that he was as much God’s child as I and my father. This act of obedience led me to the most amazing ministry I could ever imagine, the Kairos Prison Ministry. God graced me by allowing me to share His love with prisoners and their female loved ones. Words cannot describe the joy of sharing Him and being a conduit of His love. During the weekend experience we share God’s love and our own experiences with those who have been marginalized by the incarceration of themselves or their loved ones. We develop a sense of trust and openness with those who often feel isolated because of rejection by others and their feelings of anger and loneliness. We develop a sense of community of shared experiences and God’s love and healing grace. We leave feeling loved and accepted completely by God and by women who become our sisters in Christ. I have developed many friendships with these sisters, women with whom I can share my deepest thoughts and know they will still love and accept me. God has enabled me to heal from the devastating loss of my father by leading me to share my story and witness the healing in others who needed to feel God’s forgiveness and unconditional love. He protected me from the self-destructive need for revenge and the bitterness that destroys the soul. All of this

By Jaime Ramirez|May 23rd, 2018|Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Kairos Prison Ministry is Participating in National Prayer Day

Kairos Prison Ministry is Participating in National Prayer Day

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 is the National Day of Prayer and for 24 hours, people will come together to pray regardless of denomination, race, culture, etc. This is a wonderful time to ask for God’s blessings on this nation and for this ministry. The theme this year is from Ephesians 4:3, “Pray for America – Unity.” We invite you to pick a suggested time and topic listed below to pray. We at Kairos Headquarters will be praying at the top of every hour for the topics below. Also, you are welcome to watch and post on social media as we will be sending prayer reminders out every hour from 9 am until 4 pm. If you would like more ideas on how to pray, see the link below or contact diane@kpmi.org for specific ideas on what to pray for. Additionally, you may want to attend an event tomorrow in your area. There is another link to both national and regional events below. Please feel free to forward this blog post to your contacts. This is probably one of the most important things we can do for our country. Evelyn Lemly, CEO Kairos Prison Ministry is participating in the National Day of Prayer on May 3rd. Every hour, staff members will be praying for the topics below. Please join us in prayer. Event 9 AM – Kairos Prison Ministry and other nonprofit organizations 10 AM – Government 11 AM – Military 12 PM – Media 1 PM – Business 2 PM – Education 3 PM – Church 4 PM – Family Do you need someone to pray with you? Here is a list of 24 hour prayer lines available to you: list of 24 Hour Prayer lines Do you want to find an event near you? Here is a list of national and local events: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/post_or_find_an_event

By Jaime Ramirez|May 2nd, 2018|Events, Prison Ministry, Volunteering|0 Comments

Kairos Prison Ministry Expands To The Hilltop Unit Prison For Women

Kairos Prison Ministry Expands To The Hilltop Unit Prison For Women

NEWS RELEASE For information contact: Bill McVay Marketing and Communications marketing@kpmi.org (407) 629-4948 Kairos Will Invite Inmates to the #1 Kairos Inside Weekend And Is Requesting Volunteers DeBary, FL – Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is inviting inmates at Hilltop Unit Prison for women to attend the #1 Kairos Inside Weekend to be held March 8th – 11th in Gatesville, TX. Kairos has a very active presence in Texas and is pleased to be able to now serve this unit. Kairos Inside is a ministry program whose mission is to develop a Christian community inside the prison. Up to 42 inmates will participate in a 3.5 day program based on a series of talks, discussions, prayer, and chapel meditations with the aim of creating or continuing a desire for spiritual growth. The result is an improvement in the prison living environment, reduced recidivism after leaving prisons, safer communities, and healed families based on personal transformations. The Weekend will be followed up with Continuing Ministry of Reunions and Prayer and Share groups which provides an authentic and vital Christian community for accountability and encouragement. Texas locations and information can be found on kairostexas.org. Kairos is also in need of volunteers to support the #1 Weekend and for future Weekend team members. Opportunities include cookie baking, artwork, prayer, team support, and participating in a team. To volunteer, please visit kairosprisonministry.org/volunteer-opportunities. About Kairos Prison Ministry Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is a lay-led, interdenominational Christian ministry in which men and women volunteers bring Christ’s love and forgiveness to prisoners and their families through three programs: Kairos Inside, for incarcerated men and women; Kairos Outside, for female relatives/friends of the incarcerated; and Kairos Torch, for incarcerated youth. From simple beginnings as a short course in Christianity inside a

By Jaime Ramirez|February 19th, 2018|#1 Weekend, Kairos Inside, Newsroom, Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Louisiana Department Of Corrections To Hold First Kairos Inside Program At Louisiana State Penitentiary For 10 Inmates On Death Row

Louisiana Department Of Corrections To Hold First Kairos Inside Program At Louisiana State Penitentiary For 10 Inmates On Death Row

NEWS RELEASE For information contact: Diana Harris Marketing and Communications diane@kpmi.org (407) 629-4948 Kairos Prison Ministry announces that Louisiana Department of Corrections has approved expansion of the Kairos Inside Program to include inmates on death row Debary, Florida – Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, announces the first ever Kairos Inside Weekend for ten inmates on death row at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola (“Angola”), to be held February 5th – 7th. Kairos has been active at Angola for 25 years, and now the Louisiana Department of Corrections has made the innovative decision to allow the program to be conducted for the death row inmates at Angola. Kairos Inside is a ministry program whose mission is to develop a Christian community inside the prison. Ten death row inmates will participate in a 3.5 day program based on a series of talks, discussions, prayer, and chapel meditations with the aim of creating or continuing a desire for spiritual growth. The result is an improvement in prison living environment and personal transformations. The Weekend will be followed up with Continuing Ministry of Reunions and Prayer and Share groups which provides an authentic and vital Christian community for accountability and encouragement. Secretary James M. Le Blanc of the Louisiana Department of Corrections, said, “We have seen great impact in Louisiana State facilities where Kairos programs have been implemented, and this has been especially true for Angola. We are pleased to open the program now to the inmates on death row at Angola and look forward to continued improvement in morale and the prison environment as a result.” Kairos has participated in prison ministry at other death row facilities across the U.S. This first Weekend for ten of the death row inmates at Angola will be led by

By Jaime Ramirez|February 2nd, 2018|Kairos Inside, Newsroom, Prison Ministry|0 Comments

It’s a New Year with Lots of New Opportunities for Kairos Prison Ministry!

It’s a New Year with Lots of New Opportunities for Kairos Prison Ministry!

As we look to 2018, we find there are so many opportunities in front of us, that we feel blessed to be called to this ministry. We have a total of 71 scheduled Weekends for the first quarter alone, 5 of which are #1 Weekends which means that it will be the very first time that Kairos will operate in those communities or prisons. If you feel called to serve with Kairos Prison Ministry, there are so many opportunities that no matter what your situation, there is a place for you! Here are just a few ways you can share the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with those who are affected by incarceration. Serve as a Team Member. We always need more volunteers! Currently, we cannot even handle the requests from prisons and communities we receive, because we simply do not have the manpower. You too can follow Christ’s admonition of Matthew 25:36, “ I was in prison and you visited me.” Ask your church to allow Kairos to do a presentation or post material. As well-known as we believe Kairos is, we find that there are many who do not know of the work we do or all of the various opportunities there are to assist. For more information, you can fill out our form on our contact page. Be a Prayer Partner. Not only do we pray every Tuesday for that week’s upcoming weekends, we also have prayer vigils which can then become prayer chains for those Weekends. Become a Support Volunteer. There are various ways to support our Weekends. You may prepare meals for the Weekend, become a Cookie Champion, or create Agape in the form of artwork. Especially valued Agape are placemats made by children for the inmates. Contact the Weekend leader for an upcoming Weekend in

By Jaime Ramirez|January 19th, 2018|Volunteering|0 Comments

Community Building In Unexpected Places – An Inspirational Story of How Kairos Affected A Chaplain’s Views On Prison Ministry

Community Building In Unexpected Places – An Inspirational Story of How Kairos Affected A Chaplain’s Views On Prison Ministry

After 35 years of chaplaincy in county jails and larger correctional facilities, I wish to state that a recent three day weekend was an exceptional highlight within the framework of all those years. I was blessed beyond all expectations. Since moving to Florida, I had longed to do some kind of jail/prison work again. A kind word was extended to me to become part of a team with Kairos Prison Ministry during a scheduled weekend ministry in a maximum prison not far away. I thought I’d try it…why not? I had heard the name a few times over the years but knew absolutely nothing about it. As I type my reflections of that weekend I have come away convinced that Kairos is one of the most impacting outreaches to the incarcerated that I have ever observed. All of the elements that are included in the weekend (Thursday through Sunday), and through the program, give the possibility of creating an authentic Christian community for inmates while they are still inside. In my experience, outreaches to prison and jail populations tend to be primarily evangelistic with little emphasis on spiritual growth, education and most of all, discipleship. These very basics are the ingredients that are stressed during the time spent among the volunteers and inmates. The ‘evangelistic’ approach, however, is usually made up of three steps comprised of enthusiastic music, a Gospel message, and an invitation with an opportunity to “accept Jesus”. I have occasionally heard volunteers remark something like this, “Did you see how many got saved?” After giving hugs or shaking hands the volunteers leave and the inmates go back to figuring out how this should all work. No chaplain can follow up on all those who want to be strong Christians. This weekend spent with other volunteers from all

By Jaime Ramirez|November 8th, 2017|Inspiration, Kairos Programs, Prison Ministry, Testimonials, Volunteering|0 Comments

Kairos Headquarters Status After Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma Status Update: All of our office staff is safe and sound. We did have some minor damage to our office, including loss of power. We will be opening the office again as soon as the power has been restored In the meantime, should you have any immediate needs please email info@kairosprisonministry.org and we’ll be in touch as soon as we are able. God Bless.

By Jaime Ramirez|September 11th, 2017|Prison Ministry|0 Comments