Blog – Page 10 – Kairos Prison Ministry

Gut-Wrenching Letters from Convicts to Their Younger Selves

In early 2013, commercial photographer Trent Bell was shocked by the news that a friend — an educated professional, a husband and a father of four children — had been sentenced to 36 years in prison. Over the proceeding months, Bell found himself haunted by not only his friend’s bad decision and loss of freedom, but also moments in his own life when things could have easily taken a bad turn. “There were time when my son would look up and smile at me,” recalls Bell, “and the finality of my friend’s situation would rush into my head and I would hear a cold thin voice say: ‘…there, but for the grace of God, go I…'” Bell, who is known for his architectural photography in publications such as the Conde Nast Traveler, Design New England, and the New York Times, soon conceived of a photo project that would merge large-scale portraits of inmates in the Maine prison system with handwritten letters the convicts composed as though writing to their younger selves. “Our bad choices can contain untold loss, remorse and regret,” says Bell, “but the positive value of these bad choices might be immeasurable if we can face them, admit to them, learn from them and find the strength to share.” Visit trentbellphotography to see more portraits, as well as a video of how the project came together. Learn more about how Kairos Prison Ministry brings the love, hope and faith of Jesus Christ into the lives of prisoners and their families at Our Approach to Prison Ministry.

By Jaime Ramirez|March 17th, 2016|Prison Ministry, Testimonials|0 Comments

The 3 Biggest Myths About Kairos Prison Ministry

1) “They just come for the cookies.” Many times, yes, it’s true. Chocolate chip cookies and great food are a huge draw for prisoners who rarely get that kind of treat! But if that gets them to the Weekend, then we have a chance to change their lives through Christ. Who knew cookies were so powerful? 2) “You’re just there to convert people.” Yes, prisoners are often lost in darkness, and we show them the light of Christ’s love and forgiveness – then ask them to forgive others, and most importantly, themselves. They have a new friend and new hope in Jesus Christ, if they choose to allow Him in. We accept that for some prisoners, this may be just the start of a journey, and for other prisoners, the message may not take hold. The ultimate goal of Kairos Inside is to build a Christian community inside the prison to pray and fellowship together on a weekly basis by nurturing each other in their faith walk and providing accountability. This is the heart of Kairos! 3) “Only the worst prisoners get to do Kairos.” With the prison Chaplain’s help, we do try to have the negative leaders of the prison participate. The heads of gangs. The ones other prisoners are afraid of. The ones creating trouble on the yard. Why? Imagine the change that can take place in a prison when the worst leaders suddenly become changed, Christ-centered people! Their influence can spread throughout the prison and reduce the incidence of violence in the prison culture. We have seen this happen time and time again. Find out more about Kairos Prison Ministry, and how you can get involved in bringing the love, hope and faith of Jesus Christ to those in the darkest of places. In 1996 I was assigned to be the Warden at

By Jaime Ramirez|March 11th, 2016|Kairos Programs, Prison Ministry|0 Comments

The Reflection of God

“God wants others to see His reflection in us.” Pastor Tom Miller

By Jaime Ramirez|February 26th, 2016|Inspiration|0 Comments

Why Kairos Prison Ministry?

By Dennis Foster, The Desert Connection, February 23, 2016 “I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36) My name is Dennis Foster and I have been blessed to be retired for nearly 10 years now. A few years before retiring I was asked many times to be on a team for Kairos Prison Ministry. The mission of Kairos Prison Ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women, youth, and their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities. Every time I was asked the answer was always the same: “I don’t have the time and I am traveling quite a bit on business.” Well, I did retire and I was asked again, and I could no longer use the excuse of work any longer. I said yes, and the blessings have been tremendous in seeing so many miracles happen behind prison walls. My first time inside the prison experience was in 2007 at a contract prison in Eloy, Arizona. The prison is run by CCA and is a for-profit prison and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. I found the experience very interesting in that we were actually ministering to Alaskan prisoners. I always wondered why we were not ministering to Arizonans in the state of Arizona. After becoming a part of the leadership for Kairos of Arizona I quickly found out the reasons and started the work to find a way into Arizona prisons, which some are now run by CCA or GEO, another for profit prison. Kairos Prison Ministry is one ministry with three programs: Kairos Inside, Kairos Outside, and Kairos Torch. Kairos Inside The purpose of the Kairos Inside program is to establish the Kairos Christian community inside prisons

By Jaime Ramirez|February 23rd, 2016|Kairos Programs, Prison Ministry, Volunteering|0 Comments

Kairos Weekend On Death Row

Kairos Weekend On Death Row

Indiana State Prison News Release For Immediate Release MEDIA RELEASE – Kairos Weekend on Death Row Michigan City, IN - The Indiana State Prison has offered a new program to the offenders housed on death row this past weekend called Kairos. Kairos Prison Ministry believes no life is beyond the reach of God’s power, and they envision a future in which countless prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families, are redeemed, restored, and reconciled through the love and truth of Jesus Christ. This is the first time the Indiana Department of Correction has permitted this type of unique programming. Twenty-six team members provided the traditional weekend experience to the offenders on death row. The group format was adapted so the weekend experience could be delivered on an individual bases to the men on this unit. The offenders interact one on one with the team members. During this time, there was ministry, fellowship, meals, songs, and pray. Supt. Ron Neal expresses his sincere appreciation to the members of Kairos for hosting this event on ISP’s Death Row. This was truly the first of this type of a Christian seminar geared specifically towards the men on the Row and it was well received by the Offenders involved. About the Indiana State Prison: This Indiana State Prison (ISP) was built in 1860, and is the oldest correctional facility in operation for the Department. ISP is located on 100 acres of land on Michigan City’s west side. The physical plant consists of 51 buildings, which include 13 offender-housing units, steam plant, garage, warehouse, industries buildings, and five staff housing units. The main walled compound surrounds 24 acres of land. Located on the same grounds, outside the wall is the unit dedicated to house the medium-security offenders. Media Contacts: Indiana State Prison Pam James - Public

By Jaime Ramirez|July 20th, 2015|Events, Kairos Inside, Newsroom|0 Comments

Kairos Prison Ministry International And Upper Room Walk to Emmaus Sign Memorandum Of Understanding

Kairos Prison Ministry International And Upper Room Walk to Emmaus Sign Memorandum Of Understanding

CONTACT INFORMATION Evelyn Lemly, Kairos Executive Director/CEO evelyn@kpmi.org (407) 629-4948 Stephane Brooks, Director, Emmaus ministries sbrooks@umcdiscipleship.org (877) 899-2780 Partnership in Ministry: Kairos Prison Ministry International and The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus sign Memorandum of Understanding Walk to Emmaus, an international program ministry of The Upper Room, and Kairos Prison Ministry International announce the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two ministries in order to celebrate the partnership between the organizations, invite local Emmaus and Kairos communities to collaborate and form new partnerships, and encourage Emmaus and Kairos communities to engage in conversations that will advance the purpose of sharing God’s love with all. Both Walk to Emmaus and Kairos Prison Ministry International have been working together for many years. Many who have participated in a weekend Walk to Emmaus and are currently serving in Emmaus are active in Kairos Prison Ministry teams—groups that offer Christ’s love and forgiveness to incarcerated individuals and to their families. As a vital Fourth Day Movement, Kairos Prison Ministry International volunteers host weekend and follow-up ministry events inside prisons, minister to youth offenders, and work with female loved ones of incarcerated men, women, and youth. The Memorandum of Understanding states that Walk to Emmaus and Kairos Prison Ministry International acknowledge that the two organizations journey together as covenant people in community, seeking spiritual growth and transformation under the guidance of Jesus Christ. The Emmaus and Kairos ministries seek to learn together and to strengthen each other so that more and more people will receive the grace and love of God. “We rejoice together as God changes and transforms lives through our program ministries and partnerships,” said Evelyn Lemly, CEO/Executive Director of Kairos. “It is our hope,” said Stephane Brooks, Director of Emmaus ministries, “that in the context of this newly signed

By Jaime Ramirez|May 5th, 2015|Events, Kairos Programs, Newsroom|0 Comments