In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples, “I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me,” later explaining, even though he was not imprisoned, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it unto me.”
Kairos Prison Ministry International has been doing the same for over four decades, reaching inmates across the country in 37 states and around the world in nine countries, with their mission to “fulfill Christ’s call to action in Matthew 25:36.”
Kairos has operated at the Ouachita River Unit in Malvern since 2007 and are planning another four-day “weekend” in October.
The ministry is split into three outreaches for different groups affected by incarceration including Kairos Inside for male prisoners, Kairos Outside for female loved ones of male prisoners and Kairos Torch for incarcerated youths.
Each outreach functions in a different way, but is aimed at supporting the needs of those involved and equipping them with tools to better their lives as well as providing a safe space for spiritual, mental and emotional growth.
“Kairos is designed by the leading of the Holy Spirit to do His work inside the prisons,” said John Nichols, chair of the Kairos ORU advisory council. “Our job as Kairos volunteers is simply to be the tools He uses to bring his message of Grace Hope and Forgiveness to people in desperate need for grace, hope and forgiveness. For followers of Jesus Christ, it is one of the things He expects us to do.”
While visiting inmates may seem sweet, Kairos has something even sweeter in store — cookies. The ministry plans to distribute over 30,000 cookies at the weekend to the residents, officers and staff members of the prison.
The cookies are a way to reach those not helped by the weekend, especially those who work at the prison.
The 24 volunteers represent six denominations and non-denominations from 19 area churches. Leading them is Kairos Team Leader Andres Galego, who says his team all have “a heart for bringing the love of Jesus Christ to the residents in ORU.”
Kairos encourages members of the community to donate store-purchased cookies, which can be dropped off outside the north entrance of the First Baptist Church of Hot Springs, 2350 Central Ave., in a bin marked Kairos.
While Kairos traces its roots back to the Cursillo movement, all denominations are welcome to cooperate.
“The best way to support this ministry is to please pray for the residents, officers, staff and Kairos Prison Ministries volunteers,” Galego said.
The local team is set to put on the four-day “weekend” at ORU from Oct. 19-22. The events are seen as a starting point to guide participants in understanding the basics of Christian life with each day’s activities focused on different aspects of the Christian walk. Two “weekends” are held each year at the prison.
After the event is complete, the team will return to the facility within three weeks for an instructional reunion. The reunion will strengthen those who have stepped up into leading Prayer and Share groups as well as instructing the newest members of the Inside Community.
The goal of the program is for the inmates to become the leadership, forming Prayer and Share groups of three to six people and gathering for monthly reunions led by participants.
The outreach is finalized with a two-day retreat approximately three months after the initial visit. A small team of at least 10 Kairos volunteers facilitates the event, checking the progress of the participants and is open to all participants who have experienced a weekend.
For more information, call 501-282-9634 and leave a message that includes a phone number.
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