With the approach of Kairos #11 at Hutchins State Jail in Hutchins, TX I decided to post a journal entry I wrote a year ago for Kairos #9
Kairos Prison Ministry — Kairos #9 – Hutchins State Jail — February 18 – 21, 2010
Matthew 25:43-45
43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44″They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’45″He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
This is the charge to which 54 men and women responded for Kairos #9 at Hutchins State Jail in Hutchins, Texas.
Hundreds of others joined in prayer, financial support and homemade cookie donations.
Holy Spirit encounters are difficult to report, but I will do my best.
Kairos prison weekends are one of the exceptional times of experiencing the power of God within an entire community of Christ Followers. I believe that God honors obedience to the direct ministry charge in the above scripture from the gospel of Matthew.
Kairos is inter/non-denominational yet purely evangelical Christianity. There were numerous denominational, nondenominational and house churches represented among the team of volunteers.
The three and a half day event is packed with terrific home cooked meals. These meals are cooked on the outside by the outside team, brought in and served by the servant stewards. The stewards are part of the inside Kairos Community by having been a part of a previous Kairos weekend as a participant. Fresh fruit and homemade cookies are available most of the time. These are things the “brothers in white” have not had as long as they have been locked up.
We were divided into seven families who each sat together for the weekend. Each family was at a table composed of six inmates (intentional racially diverse) and three “free world” men of which one is clergy. Over the days of the weekend we get to know each other quite well.
The event itself is highly active. There is time devoted to teaching from the platform both in the chapel area as well as the community area where we are at our tables. Teaching sessions range from 10 to 30 minute segments and are woven around the presenter’s personal story (testimony). There is live praise and worship. But best of all there is much time for interaction and re-enforcement of the messages both in small group and general activities presented through each talk.
By participating in the weekend the men gain permission to come to the chapel on the second and fourth Saturday mornings of the month for what is called “prayer and share”. There is a time of praise and worship then they are dismissed to their “families”. The guys are encouraged to stay together with their same families that they were introduced to at their Kairos weekend. We “free world” people are around some, but the goal is for them to become an autonomous small group.
There are two more pieces of the time that are worthy of mention. The men receive a hand written sealed letter from each of the team. 54 sealed letters is significant because all their mail, if they get any and many do not, is opened and screened before they get it.
Another thing that is so powerful is the prayer chain. All who agree in advance to pray for the week-end first names and cities are put on strips of paper and assembled into a literal “chain” of prayer. This is brought in early in the weekend and place surrounding the entire community room. The chain was well over 100 yards long and had names and cities from all over the world.
The general story of prison residents is one of loneliness and dismissal. They have not been loved nor have they witnessed love. Their lives have been about survival, very little else. The thought of so many people doing so much for them in the name of God is in many instances staggering.
There is also a surprise closing ceremony for the men as well. We move the men out of the chapel area to another part of the unit for the last couple of activities while the chapel is being reset to accommodate a much larger group. At this time another 100 or so free world people are ushered into the chapel for the closing ceremony. The men are unaware of what is going on. As we come back to The Chapel of Hope from the education-building spouses and friends singing “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love” greet us. It is another time our brothers in white have the opportunity to feel God’s love through HIS people. They are very pleased yet puzzled why these people would do this for them. It is great!
At the end of the closing ceremony the microphone is open to any of the men who choose to speak anything on their hearts for two minutes. More than half of the 42 spoke in many instances very eloquently.
The following are quotes from our “brothers in white” at the closing ceremony:
“I thought those tissues on the table were to wipe crumbs until I started reading my Kairos mail.”
“I haven’t received any mail for over a year. The last letter was from my grandma Joyce who died over a year ago. The very first Kairos letter I opened was from a lady named Joyce. I cried.”
“Other than the birth of my daughter this is the most beautiful experience of my life.”
“I was expecting your regular weekend semina: sing, read scripture, listen to sermons…and I would leave pretty much like I came in, but wow! What I have tried to do on my own for 34 years God has accomplished in 3 1/2 days of Kairos.”
“Nothing can get me out of this new community of Kairos.”
“I have received Godly council that I desperately needed.”
“I came in a ‘Hellish’ state, I leave spiritually reclaimed.”
“I arrived very frail. I now know that I am not alone.”
“This has been a great experience I love every one of y’all.”
“I came in confused, haunted, lost, but I have let all that go. I have forgiven those who hurt me.”
“I found love, encouragement, fellowship, real Christians. I found myself.”
“I am taking strength, hope and encouragement from this time.”
“I have learned what a church is.”
“This has been a truly awesome experience.”
“Ya’ll did all this for us and you didn’t even know us. I know what agape love is.”
“I have been to Cowboy games, Longhorn games, but never anything as good as this…”
The following are quotes from the volunteers:
The Lord touched so many guys both those who were chosen and those who served.
To observe the response of these 42 men to the Truths of GOD’S Word is truly a Blessing.
There is no way of measuring the Harvest reaped from the Seeds sown during the 3 1/2 days of this KAIROS Event in the Chapel of Hope at Hutchins SJ.
If I could have every member of my (home) congregation observe this week-end from start to finish, there would be many more come to a greater understanding of God’s love than 42. In Him,
For me, Kairos was a spiritual “Jericho” as the walls came tumbling down. The power and the presence of the Holy Spirit was overwhelming to all involved – a joy and privilege to serve in this ministry.
I saw God mold and remold this team to the people He wanted to serve on H 9. I claimed the promise from Psalm 121:3 that” He would not allow our foot to slip”, and He did not.
This weekend was a life changing experience not only for the Brothers-in-White, but many of us in the outside world. That is why I continue to stay active in this prison ministry program to help build God’s Kingdom. I often see immediate results of God’s work.
It was the forgiveness ceremony that touched me most. Through the many tears of the brothers-in-white it was evident that God had done a work in the lives! Many burdens are lifted by the act of forgiveness of others.
It was truly a blessing to watch God at work. Chasing the “Wild Goose” is Fun! (Early Celtic Christians often referred to the Holy Spirit as “the Wild Goose” because of His unpredictability and wild nature.
One of the best usages of my vacation days! To witness the impact of God’s pure agape love in action is a true blessing. My own spiritual journey has once again received a “boost”.
The transformation of someone that has no clue what it is to be loved and desired, the change in attitude and openness and the acceptance of Jesus Christ is thrilling.Kingdom building is cool.
I attribute the success and power of God seen in this weekend for our Brothers-in-White to the depth and sincerity of the prayer put into this weekend the months and weeks before the weekend occurred.
There is much more. But this at least gives you an overview of what you invested in.
“May the peace that passes understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ.” Phillipians 4:7
I’m in and AMEN.
Barry
