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Kairos is a ministry of the church ... a ministry of the apostles whom Jesus, the Christ, has called into community and sent forth into the environment of the correctional institution. Kairos has been called the best example of the early church in existence today. Kairos operates 3 different ministry programs, Kairos Inside, Kairos Outside, and Kairos Torch. In Pennsylvania, we currently only conduct Kairos Inside and Kairos Outside programs. Kairos Inside is conducted within medium an maximum security institutions by well-organized and well-trained volunteer teams of men and women from the communities surrounding an institution. They present an introductory 3-day weekend, described as a short course in Christianity. This 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. A well-organized follow up program is part of this ministry. Kairos Outside is a special weekend retreat designed to support the female loved ones of men and women who are or have been incarcerated. Families of the incarcerated “do time” right along with their loved ones. In a safe environment with loving people, women interact with other women who are in similar situations and learn to form small groups to support and give them strength for the challenges they face. Kairos Torch offers unconditional love and acceptance, encouraging young men and women to share their life journey through participation in a long term mentoring process. The program begins with a weekend retreat inside the prison. Torch team members commit to a weekly mentoring process with the youthful offenders for six months after the weekend. Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation chartered in the State of Florida and has become known as Kairos Prison Ministry. The words, Kairos Prison Ministry, are repeated in the Kairos logo, a registered trademark. Kairos Prison Ministry authorizes chartered states to present Kairos ministries within their states, following directions contained in Kairos manuals, which are updated as specific needs arise. |
