It is so amazing to see the power of God
work through Kairos Prison Ministries. Even the team members find
themselves being so BLESSED through the experience that they sometimes
feel guilty thinking their service to God should not be so enjoyable.
One team member stated, "The Presence and
Power of God that moved through the weekend is the same Presence I felt
at the Billy Graham Crusade at Arrowhead Stadium in October of 2004.
When I saw thousands of men, women, and children flowing down to the
field to give their hearts to the Lord the tears flowed down my face.
That same Presence was at Crossroads maximum security prison last
weekend."
And why not? God is the same yesterday,
today, and forever (Heb. 8:13) so when He shows up - wouldn't it be the
same Glory whether at Arrowhead Stadium or Crossroads prison? Of course
it would - and is!!!
Now that we've taken some time to
describe the glory of past Kairos/Crossroads Weekends, let's remind everyone that
Crossroads #8 will be November 4-7, 2010. Let's also take this opportunity
to share a little of what
Kairos Prison Ministries are all about.
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It currently costs about $38,000 per
year to incarcerate an individual and yet successful completion and
continued follow-up of a Kairos Weekend reduces the recidivism rate from
a possible 50% down to a staggering 9%. That is a massive savings
to the taxpayers and an immensely positive impact on the region.
Basically, a dollar given to Kairos can save thousands down the road.
Additionally, when asked about the 700 some prison ministries in the United States, Chuck Colson
once said that Kairos was the best. Now that’s a powerful
statement!
In most institutions throughout the
world where Kairos is present there are waiting lists to participate.
This ministry reaches the entire prison population such as the gang
leaders, the Muslims, the Native Americans, the Christians, and so much
more. Matthew 25:36 reads, “I was in prison and you visited me.”
Not all of us choose to enter maximum security prisons; however, through
this ministry, all can help! Children can make placemats that might
read, “God loves you and so do I; signed Johnny, 1st grade.”
Senior citizens can pray and/or help with meals. Men can be
part of the men’s teams and women can be part of the women’s teams.
And yes, you can give money.
Kairos Prison
Ministry International began in 1976, has
nine staff
members, and over 35,000 volunteers. KPMI works with incarcerated men
and women, their female loved ones on the outside, as well as youthful
offenders. Kairos is currently in seven countries (including the UK
province of Northern Ireland with the Catholics and Protestants) and
thirty-four states right here in America. Kairos is highly structured,
divinely flexible, extremely ecumenical, and hugely successful.
In Matthew chapter nine Jesus tells us,
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the
laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest.” This is the Lord’s harvest and
it truly is plentiful.
In Luke chapter seven Jesus tells us that
those who have been forgiven much; love much and that perfectly applies
to these incarcerated men and women. We all desire
for our children to grow up and stay close to God, but for those who
travel far from Him; He still loves them - and He still loves us. Remember the
scripture, God can turn all things for good, for those who love and
obey Him. And Jesus Himself said that He did not come for those
who were well – but for those who were in need of a Physician.
We are not people who wish to
excuse all sorts of bad behavior, yet we are trying to
bring Christ’s love and forgiveness to
those for whom it is God's special time; God's Kairos
Time!
Rev.
S.
Wade Hampton, Ph.D.
prisoner of Jesus Christ
Eph. 3:1
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Kairos
Prison Ministry
Crossroads
Correctional Center
