Ironwood Kairos #30 Prison Ministry
Donation protected
Hello.
We are the members of Kairos Prison Ministry based in the Coachella Valley, California. We are a group of about 30 men of all Christian faith traditions ministering to the resident inmates of Ironwood State Prison about 90 miles east of Coachella in the desert of Blythe, California. Two times a year we host a Kairos weekend retreat event at Ironwood State Prison where we work with a group of resident inmates over the course of four days to bring the hope of the Gospel to men who deparately need it in a place of darkness. As a group and as Christians we endeavor to be the light of Christ to those who are most in need.
Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (Kairos) is a Christian faith based ministry which addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, youth, and their families. By sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, Kairos hopes to change hearts, transform lives and impact the world. Kairos sprang from the Cursillo movement and is supported by volunteers from the 4th Day movements such as Cursillo, National Episcopal Cursillo, Presbyterian Cursillo, Lutheran Via de Cristo, The Upper Room's Walk To Emmaus, and independently ecumenical Tres Dias as well as volunteers from independent and non-denominational churches. As a ministry, Kairos embraces a diverse group of volunteers working together to fulfill Christ's call to action in Matthew 25:36.
A Kairos retreat weekend requires us as members to commit four days every six months to a long weekend - Thursday through Sunday - to host a retreat with 40 resident inmates of Ironwood State Prison. This is a maximum/medium level security state prison complex. Once the resident inmates have completed the retreat weekend, they are then invited to attend monthly "prayer and share" meetings to continue their walk with Christ as they, like the rest of us, journey to live a life in the Gospel during their incarceration and beyond incarceration. As a group of Kairos ministers, we make the 180 mile round trip to Ironwood each month to support these men along the journey at the monthly prayer and share meetings.
The twice yearly retreat weekend along with monthly prayer and share meetings cost about $10,000 annually. This amount doesn't include transportation costs and the cost of food and accommodations to stay in Blythe during the retreat weekends for the 25 to 30 ministers who attend. We pay those costs ourselves along with personal contributions to our Kairos chapter to help cover the costs associated with our ministry and supporting the State and National Kairos management teams.
During the retreat weekend we are with the resident inmates the entire day through breakfast, lunch, & dinner. We work, eat, and pray together. We provide all the necessary ingredients for the retreat including food, pencils, paper, reading materials, work books, posters, and prayer books to mention only a few items. Most importantly we provide all the aggape needed for a loving environment and beautiful encounter with Christ and the Holy Spirit. There are so many layers of funded support that goes in to the planning and execution of a retreat weekend, we could spend the next 2000 words explaining all the many costs that are required for such an extensive event at a California State Prison.
At this time, the 30 or so ministers of our chapter not only supply the time and talent for this ministry - We also completely support the cost associated with the ministry. Traditionally these costs have been offset by grants and fundraising, but primarily personal contributions have allowed us to meet expenses. Costs have risen and in the absence of outside sources of funds, it now requires a financial commitment of about $400 per year for each minister. Sadly, grants and fundraising have slowed dramatically over the last several years leaving the costs to be funded entirely by the ministers. Many ministers can not afford such a high personal cost and so others contribute more so that those who can not help with treasure can joyfully share their time and talent. The high cost of this ministry can also feel prohibitive for new men to consider joining and recruiting new minsters is a challange.
The purpose of the funds that the Ironwood Chapter of Kairos is requesting through this GoFundMe campaign is to support the retreat weekend coming up April 16, 17, 18, & 19, 2015. We are requesting $2,000 to support Karios #30 at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe California. Yes, this is #30. At two retreats every year, you can see that we are in our 15th year at this institution praise be to God! The powerful change that Gods love and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ brings through this ministry to the Men of Ironwood is unmistakeable and glorious. We are asking for your help to serve the people of God in one of the most important ministries Christ specifically anointed as he said...
"I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Your help and support are vital to our continued work and we thank you and ask you to pray for the incarcerated at Ironwood State Prison and for those who will be attending the retreat weekend April 16th - 19th. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness.
We are the members of Kairos Prison Ministry based in the Coachella Valley, California. We are a group of about 30 men of all Christian faith traditions ministering to the resident inmates of Ironwood State Prison about 90 miles east of Coachella in the desert of Blythe, California. Two times a year we host a Kairos weekend retreat event at Ironwood State Prison where we work with a group of resident inmates over the course of four days to bring the hope of the Gospel to men who deparately need it in a place of darkness. As a group and as Christians we endeavor to be the light of Christ to those who are most in need.
Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. (Kairos) is a Christian faith based ministry which addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women, youth, and their families. By sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, Kairos hopes to change hearts, transform lives and impact the world. Kairos sprang from the Cursillo movement and is supported by volunteers from the 4th Day movements such as Cursillo, National Episcopal Cursillo, Presbyterian Cursillo, Lutheran Via de Cristo, The Upper Room's Walk To Emmaus, and independently ecumenical Tres Dias as well as volunteers from independent and non-denominational churches. As a ministry, Kairos embraces a diverse group of volunteers working together to fulfill Christ's call to action in Matthew 25:36.
A Kairos retreat weekend requires us as members to commit four days every six months to a long weekend - Thursday through Sunday - to host a retreat with 40 resident inmates of Ironwood State Prison. This is a maximum/medium level security state prison complex. Once the resident inmates have completed the retreat weekend, they are then invited to attend monthly "prayer and share" meetings to continue their walk with Christ as they, like the rest of us, journey to live a life in the Gospel during their incarceration and beyond incarceration. As a group of Kairos ministers, we make the 180 mile round trip to Ironwood each month to support these men along the journey at the monthly prayer and share meetings.
The twice yearly retreat weekend along with monthly prayer and share meetings cost about $10,000 annually. This amount doesn't include transportation costs and the cost of food and accommodations to stay in Blythe during the retreat weekends for the 25 to 30 ministers who attend. We pay those costs ourselves along with personal contributions to our Kairos chapter to help cover the costs associated with our ministry and supporting the State and National Kairos management teams.
During the retreat weekend we are with the resident inmates the entire day through breakfast, lunch, & dinner. We work, eat, and pray together. We provide all the necessary ingredients for the retreat including food, pencils, paper, reading materials, work books, posters, and prayer books to mention only a few items. Most importantly we provide all the aggape needed for a loving environment and beautiful encounter with Christ and the Holy Spirit. There are so many layers of funded support that goes in to the planning and execution of a retreat weekend, we could spend the next 2000 words explaining all the many costs that are required for such an extensive event at a California State Prison.
At this time, the 30 or so ministers of our chapter not only supply the time and talent for this ministry - We also completely support the cost associated with the ministry. Traditionally these costs have been offset by grants and fundraising, but primarily personal contributions have allowed us to meet expenses. Costs have risen and in the absence of outside sources of funds, it now requires a financial commitment of about $400 per year for each minister. Sadly, grants and fundraising have slowed dramatically over the last several years leaving the costs to be funded entirely by the ministers. Many ministers can not afford such a high personal cost and so others contribute more so that those who can not help with treasure can joyfully share their time and talent. The high cost of this ministry can also feel prohibitive for new men to consider joining and recruiting new minsters is a challange.
The purpose of the funds that the Ironwood Chapter of Kairos is requesting through this GoFundMe campaign is to support the retreat weekend coming up April 16, 17, 18, & 19, 2015. We are requesting $2,000 to support Karios #30 at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe California. Yes, this is #30. At two retreats every year, you can see that we are in our 15th year at this institution praise be to God! The powerful change that Gods love and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ brings through this ministry to the Men of Ironwood is unmistakeable and glorious. We are asking for your help to serve the people of God in one of the most important ministries Christ specifically anointed as he said...
"I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Your help and support are vital to our continued work and we thank you and ask you to pray for the incarcerated at Ironwood State Prison and for those who will be attending the retreat weekend April 16th - 19th. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness.
Organizer and beneficiary
Scott Teague
Organizer
Indio, CA
Clark Davis
Beneficiary