Why Kairos?

“… I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:36

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998

Inmates Staff

Inmate Population and Staff Texas Prisons 1990-1999

0.00.51.01.52.02.5

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

Texas Prisons Operating Budget(in Billions) 1990-1999

TDCJ10-year summary

Staff - 124% increaseInmate population - 204% increaseOperating budget - 282% increase

2000 budget for Texas prison system:$2.37 Billion

TDCJ Offender Statistics1999

Community supervision 450,000Substance abuse felony 4,400Prison/state jail 147,000Parole 75,000

Total 676,400

National Prison Population

1990 773,9191995 1,125,8751999 1,366,721

Texas has more people in prisonthan any other state in the U.S.

RecidivismRate of offenders returning to prison

0102030405060708090

100

Percentage

National

California

Florida

Texas

KairosAlumni

What is Kairos?

Kairos• Greek for “God’s special time”

• Started in Florida in 1976

• Active in: 230 prisons, 29 states, 5 countries, including

Australia, England, South Africa, Canada, and U.S.

• Attended by 18,000+ yearly

• Active in 32 prisons in Texas

A non-denominational, lay-run Christian prison ministry

A 3-day shortcourse teaching God’sunconditional love for us through grace

A way to build Christian community in prisons

36 - 42 residents sit in groups of 6 residents, 2 lay people, and 1 clergy

Each group takes on the characteristicsof a family

The weekend includes singing,presentations on Christian principles,

meditations, prayer, and sharing

Kairos team members and residentsmeet the second Saturday of each

month for Kairos reunions

Why do they come to Kairos?• They hear stories about the food - two delicious, homemade meals a day - good coffee, fresh fruit, milk, cookies• They are curious• They get time off• They are searching for: - acceptance - friendship - love

What happens when they come to Kairos?

• Their lives are changed

• Many re-commit to Christ

• Many accept Christ for the first time

• Many commit their lives to the ministry of Christ after they get out

• Most never return to prison

What can I do?

• Pray for the residents and team; join the weekend prayer vigil

• Bake cookies

• Sponsor a resident

• Sponsor a table

• Make placemats and kid agape

What’s with the cookies?

• Kairos is called the “Cookie Ministry”

• Tens of thousands of cookies are needed for each weekend

• Residents share the cookies with other inmates and the correctional officers

• Sharing cookies is a way to spread God’s love throughout the prison

Can I serve on the team?

You may serve on a team if you:

• attend a Walk to Emmaus, Cursillo, Tres Dias, Via Cristo, or Chrysalis• attend team meetings• commit to attend reunions for one year, if a member of the inside team• complete TDCJ volunteer training

Can men and women work?Yes. But inside team members must be the same gender as the residents.

What is the impact of Kairos?

As of December 2000, Kairos has held over

3680 weekends

introducing over

139,000 men and women

to Christ.

91% will never return to prison.

Why Kairos?

Because Christ makes a difference.