Blog – Page 2 – Kairos Prison Ministry

Kairos Prison Ministry Named “2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit”

DeBary, FL., September, 2024 – Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, announced today that it has been named a “2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading website for community recommendations of charities and nonprofits. Kairos Prison Ministry’s mission is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women, and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities. Kairos achieves this mission with prisoners and their families through three programs: Kairos Inside, for incarcerated men and women; Kairos Outside, for female relatives/friends of the incarcerated; and Kairos Torch, for incarcerated youth. The programs result in an improved prison living environment, reduced recidivism after leaving prison, safer communities, and healed families based on personal transformations. Recent studies have shown that recidivism rates can be reduced by up to 50%. “We are proud that Kairos has been named a Top-Rated Nonprofit for the eighth consecutive year in 2024,” says Evelyn Lemly, CEO. “We have stayed committed to serving those impacted by incarceration." “Kairos Prison Ministry is a great example of a nonprofit making a real difference in their community,” said Shari Tishman, Managing Director of GreatNonprofits, “Their award is well-deserved recognition not only of their work, but the tremendous support they receive, as shown by the many outstanding reviews they have received from people who have direct experience working with Kairos.” GreatNonprofits is the largest donation website for nonprofits where people share stories about their personal experiences on more than 1.6 million charities and nonprofits. The GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Awards are the only awards for nonprofits determined by those who have direct experience with the charities – as donors, volunteers and recipients of aid. The complete list of 2024

By Kairos Ministry|September 25th, 2024|Awards, Newsroom|0 Comments

Zoom Meetings: Do They Help Us or Harm Us?

Zoom Meetings: Do They Help Us or Harm Us?

The COVID-19 pandemic has imparted numerous lessons, some of which extend beyond the immediate crisis, revealing aspects of growth, resilience, and reflection. Not all these lessons are negative; in fact, many individuals discovered a profound reliance on their faith, learning to place their trust in God rather than depending solely on their own strength or understanding. For some, the pandemic provided an opportunity to rest in God's presence and attend to their spiritual well-being, aligning with the biblical insight that "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" as a means of restoring the soul. The enforced slowdown also allowed many to reconnect with household members, rediscovering the value of relationships that had previously been taken for granted, akin to "ships passing in the night." This period of reflection deepened some individuals' engagement with the Word of God, transforming it into the "Living Word" that profoundly influenced their inner lives. However, the pandemic also exposed vulnerabilities. The prolonged quietness, coupled with the intensity of one's own thoughts, led many into the depths of depression and despair. To combat the discomfort of silence, some resorted to keeping their televisions on around the clock, as the stillness of the environment became unbearable. From a corporate perspective, certain businesses flourished during the lockdown, capitalizing on the lifestyle changes induced by the pandemic. Zoom, a prominent example, emerged as an indispensable tool for maintaining communication. The company's revenue surged, increasing from $623 million in the year preceding the pandemic to $2.65 billion by the end of January 2021—an extraordinary growth of over 300 percent. The following year, Zoom's revenue continued to rise, reaching $4.10 billion, a testament to its pivotal role during this period. While Zoom was instrumental in keeping the world connected safely during the pandemic, it is essential to acknowledge the

By Kairos Ministry|August 29th, 2024|Call to Prayer Blog|0 Comments

A Kairos Outside Miracle

A Kairos Outside Miracle

C.P.’s son has been in prison and was able to go on a Kairos Inside Weekend. Afterwards he signed her up for Kairos Outside. They prayed over it together and he was so excited about it that she was willing to go. One day in October she received a call from an unknown number and was led to answer it. On the other end was a beautiful voice asking if she was interested in coming to Kairos Outside in November, and the woman was so helpful that C.P. didn’t feel afraid at all. C.P. was excited about the opportunity to connect with women who are having a similar life experience to hers, “I was like a kid, so excited to go to such a blessing.” Once the Weekend began there was never a dull moment, there was something all day every day. The volunteers celebrated the Guests, provided gifts, performed skits, provided the prayer chain, and made an incredible effort to ensure each and every Guest on the Weekend felt genuinely loved. “I was treated like a queen.” C.P.’s birthday was a few days after the Weekend, and she called the Weekend one of the best birthday presents in her life. “We all came from different types of backgrounds, but all we saw was love.” The prayer chain was especially impactful for C.P. as she was amazed by the number of links in the chain, but when she saw her son’s name on it, she dropped to her knees, her eyes filled up with tears and let out a cry to God thanking him for this experience. “I thanked God and there were tears when it was time to go as we had all bonded with each other and wanted a few more days.” Since the Weekend which she

By Kairos Ministry|January 31st, 2024|Inspiration, Kairos Outside, Newsroom, Testimonials|0 Comments

Kairos Prison Ministry Named “2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit” By GreatNonprofits

DeBary, FL., November, 2023 – Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, announced today that it has been named a “2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading website for community recommendations of charities and nonprofits. Kairos Prison Ministry’s mission is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women, and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities. Kairos achieves this mission with prisoners and their families through three programs: Kairos Inside, for incarcerated men and women; Kairos Outside, for female relatives/friends of the incarcerated; and Kairos Torch, for incarcerated youth. The programs result in an improved prison living environment, reduced recidivism after leaving prison, safer communities, and healed families based on personal transformations. Recent studies have shown that recidivism rates can be reduced by up to 50%. “We are proud that Kairos has been named a Top-Rated Nonprofit for the seventh consecutive year in 2023,” says Evelyn Lemly, CEO. “Kairos has stayed committed to our mission to minister to those impacted by incarceration through the COVID pandemic, prison lockouts, and reopening restrictions. “Kairos Prison Ministry is a great example of a nonprofit making a real difference in their community,” said Shari Tishman, Managing Director of GreatNonprofits, “Their award is well-deserved recognition not only of their work, but the tremendous support they receive, as shown by the many outstanding reviews they have received from people who have direct experience working with Kairos.” GreatNonprofits is the largest donation website for nonprofits where people share stories about their personal experiences on more than 1.8 million charities and nonprofits. The GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Awards are the only awards for nonprofits determined by those who have direct experience with the charities

By Kairos Ministry|November 8th, 2023|Awards, Newsroom|0 Comments

Dan & Randy – A Story of Forgiveness and Redemption

Dan & Randy – A Story of Forgiveness and Redemption

After his father’s death, Dan began to use and abuse methamphetamines to ease the pain of his loss. He became an addict. Soon, he was arrested and convicted for drug possession. He was placed on probation and ordered to report to a probation officer regularly, submit to drug testing, and obey multiple other conditions. Dan decided that it was more important for him to continue his drug use. He avoided seeing his probation officer at all costs. Soon, a warrant was issued for Dan’s arrest, because of his failure to report. Randy was Dan’s supplier. Dan was a steady customer and heavily dependent on Randy for his daily use. After a while, Dan’s drug use led to drug sales, and Randy helped him learn the business. But Dan was not a good business partner. Dan was an addict with a felony warrant. Being caught was only a matter of time. After selling drugs for a few months, Dan was pulled over by police for a minor traffic violation. When police learned of his identity and the warrant, Dan was arrested. During the arrest, police searched his car and found a sizeable amount of methamphetamine in his possession. In addition to the probation violation, Dan now had a new and more serious felony charge: drug sales. He was on his way to state prison. The prospect of years in prison terrified Dan. He had never been to prison and he was desperate to help himself. In agreement for a reduced sentence, Dan told police about Randy’s drug involvement. They obtained a search warrant and raided Randy’s home. A large amount of cash and drugs were seized. Clearly Randy was the bigger fish that police were glad to bring in. Randy ended up with a lengthy prison sentence. Dan got a reduced

By Jaime Ramirez|March 30th, 2023|Inspiration, Kairos Inside, Newsroom, Prison Ministry Testimonies|0 Comments

Kairos Prison Ministry is Celebrating GivingTuesday by Joining Millions Around the World Participating in this Global Generosity Movement on November 29, 2022

Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is proud to join this global generosity movement for the 11th year, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity this year by inspiring people to give back on November 29, 2022, as well as throughout the year. GivingTuesday was launched in 2012 as a simple idea: to create a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Kairos has joined the #GivingTuesday movement to help raise funds and awareness to allow our volunteers to hold Kairos Weekends and Continuing Ministry events. Kairos is actively working on expanding programs to new locations including into 4 more states and at least 4 new countries in Africa with people impacted by incarceration. Kairos is in demand! The return of Kairos into facilities after the pandemic had made an immediate impact on the behavior and morale of the inmates. Other institutions are asking for Kairos to come into their facilities where we have never been before! But we need your support on November 29. People demonstrate generosity in many ways on GivingTuesday, whether it is donating to a worthy cause, helping out a stranger, ministering to those in need, serving someone impacted by incarceration, or doing something for an issue or people we care about, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity and equity around the globe Those who are interested in joining Kairos Prison Ministry’s GivingTuesday initiative can visit

By Jaime Ramirez|November 29th, 2022|Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Kairos Prison Ministry to Hold First Kairos Inside Program at the Willacy County State Jail in Texas

Kairos Prison Ministry to Hold First Kairos Inside Program at the Willacy County State Jail in Texas

Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, announces the start of a Kairos Inside program at the Willacy County State Jail located in Raymondville Texas, beginning Thursday, November 17th. The 3 ½ day Weekend event will be the first Kairos Inside Weekend at this facility and is another step forward in helping inmates transform their lives. Kairos Inside is a ministry program whose mission is to develop a Christian community inside the prison. The program results in an improved prison living environment, reduced recidivism after leaving prison, safer communities, and healed families based on personal transformations. Recent studies have shown that recidivism rates can be reduced by up to 50%. Up to 42 inmates participate in the 3 ½ day Weekend program, which includes a series of talks, discussions, prayer, and chapel meditations with the aim of creating or continuing a desire for spiritual growth. The Weekend will then be followed up with Continuing Ministry of monthly Reunions and weekly Prayer and Share groups, which provides an authentic and vital Christian community for accountability and encouragement. Kairos is in need of volunteers for future Weekends. Opportunities include making cookies, creating artwork, prayer, team support, financial support, and participating in a team. For more information, please visit kairosprisonministry.org/volunteer-opportunities.

By Jaime Ramirez|November 4th, 2022|#1 Weekend, Kairos Inside, Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Kairos Inside to Hold #1 Weekend at Walnut Grove Correctional Facility in Mississippi

Kairos Inside to Hold #1 Weekend at Walnut Grove Correctional Facility in Mississippi

Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, announces the start of a Kairos Inside program at the Walnut Grove Correctional Facility located in Walnut Grove Mississippi, beginning Wednesday, November 9th. The 3 ½ day Weekend event will be the first Kairos Inside Weekend at this facility and is another step forward in helping inmates transform their lives. Kairos Inside is a ministry program whose mission is to develop a Christian community inside the prison. The program results in an improved prison living environment, reduced recidivism after leaving prison, safer communities, and healed families based on personal transformations. Recent studies have shown that recidivism rates can be reduced by up to 50%. Up to 42 inmates participate in the 3 ½ day Weekend program, which includes a series of talks, discussions, prayer, and chapel meditations with the aim of creating or continuing a desire for spiritual growth. The Weekend will then be followed up with Continuing Ministry of monthly Reunions and weekly Prayer and Share groups, which provides an authentic and vital Christian community for accountability and encouragement. Kairos is in need of volunteers for future Weekends. Opportunities include making cookies, creating artwork, prayer, team support, financial support, and participating in a team. For more information, please visit kairosprisonministry.org/volunteer-opportunities.

By Jaime Ramirez|October 26th, 2022|#1 Weekend, Kairos Inside, Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Kairos Featured on “God in the Ordinary” Podcast

Kairos Featured on “God in the Ordinary” Podcast

Kairos Prison Ministry was featured on the October 18, 2022 episode of the “God In The Ordinary” podcast. It is a twice-monthly interview podcast and it can help you! Through encouraging and engaging stories, be inspired to learn how you can make an eternal difference in your community and beyond! The Chairperson for Kairos in the United Kingdom, Richard Stephens was the guest on the episode and Richard speaks of how he’s seen God work in incredible and life-changing ways within the prison system, through the volunteer work he does with Kairos; shares how he has personally seen men have their lives turned around by the supernatural power of Jesus; and talks about the great need for the Gospel within prison walls and how it must partner with the academic to lead people into whole-life healing, encouraging new ways of thinking and living. Listen to the episode now or wherever you access podcasts.

By Jaime Ramirez|October 25th, 2022|Newsroom, Prison Ministry|0 Comments

Kairos Torch to Hold #1 Weekend at the Giddings State School in Texas

Kairos Torch to Hold #1 Weekend at the Giddings State School in Texas

Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (“Kairos”), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, announces the start of a Kairos Torch program at the Giddings State School located in Giddings, Texas, beginning Friday, November 4th. The 2 ½ day Weekend event will be the first Kairos Torch Weekend at this facility and is another step forward in helping the youth impacted by incarceration to transform their lives. Kairos Torch offers unconditional love and acceptance, encouraging male and female incarcerated youth ages 25 and under to share their life journey through participation in a long-term mentoring process. The mission of the 2 ½ day Introductory Weekend is to encourage the participants to remove their masks, so that the real person can shine forth – rather than who they pretend to be. The Weekend is followed by Continuing Ministry that includes six months of weekly one-to-one mentoring of the youth by Kairos volunteers, monthly group Reunions, and weekly Bible studies. Kairos is in need of volunteers for future Weekends. Opportunities include baking cookies, creating artwork, prayer, team support, financial support, and participating in a team. For more information, please visit kairosprisonministry.org/volunteer-opportunities, call (407) 629-4948, or email marketing@kpmi.org.

By Jaime Ramirez|October 21st, 2022|Prison Ministry|0 Comments