Cousin Correspondent - My Sister, Connie Caldwell

 Connie and Jim Caldwell

Serve on Kairos Prison Ministry Teams

 

Kairos Prison Ministry is a Christian ministry that has over 20,000 volunteers worldwide, actively serving prisons in 33 states and in the countries of Australia, Canada, England, Costa Rica and South Africa. I have served on Kairos teams inside the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) in Marysville, Ohio over the past 6 years.

This October, I am excited about serving on my first Kairos Outside ministry team. This retreat weekend is held for women whose family members are incarcerated. Because families "do the time" right along with their loved ones in prison, Kairos Outside provides a safe Christian environment where women can interact with other women in the same situation, and receive support to help them on their life's journey.

My husband, Jim, is also involved in Kairos. After serving on teams inside Lucusville, Marion Correctional, and North Central Correctional (NCCI), Jim will be leading a team of 50 volunteers on a Kairos weekend at NCCI in Marion, Ohio in September. Kairos (Inside) consists of a team of trained volunteers who present a structured program over a 3 day weekend that could be described as a "short course in Christianity". Forty-two residents (inmates) who are considered "leaders" in their environment are selected by prison clergy and wardens to attend a Kairos weekend. Some arrive at the weekend angry and apprehensive about attending. Kairos volunteers show them unconditional love and acceptance.....and let God touch their hearts. Kairos volunteers help encourage them on their spiritual journey.

Kairos is an amazing and powerful ministry! It is so awesome to see how the Holy Spirit moves in people's lives.

If anyone is interested in serving or learning more about Kairos Prison Ministry, check out these links:
http://www.kairosohio.org/ - Kairos Prison Ministry - Ohio

http://www.kairosprisonministry.org/System/Media/Play.asp?id=23761&key=wd5rnmf49geq4qujjs -
Kairos International /Silent Choir Video by Kairos Graduates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS4UCuwj-ZY - Kairos Recruiting Video

               

The post originally appeared on the Elling Family News blog in August, 2010.