Kairos at CRCC

Yesterday, the offenders at Crossroads Correctional Center finished their Kairos training which began Thursday evening. The offenders were a diverse group of individuals with many different religious backgrounds. The thirty-four offenders were divided into six houses named Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, and Peter. Each house elected a spokesman and he had five minutes to answer these three questions for his particular house: (1) What was your spiritual condition when you came to Kairos? (2) What did you find? and (3) What will you do with what you found? Whether they become followers of Jesus Christ or not, the seed was sown in the sessions they attended during the four days. I believe friendships were formed among the offenders that could not have happened without God's intervention. Jesus is love. The team that entered Crossroads on Thursday did it with love. Each member of the team showed the offenders true love; they did not care what crime had been committed in the past. Their focus was on the future. There will be follow-up sessions between the team and the men that attended the Kairos program.

I believe it was by divine appointment that I was privileged enough to be invited by my friend, Jeff, to attend the closing ceremonies. I also believe that the team members received a great blessing by their participation in God's Work at Crossroads Correctional Center.Perhaps we should examine our spiritual walk using a version of the three questions the offenders were asked to address : (1) What is your spiritual condition? (2) What you have found God wants YOU to do? and (3) What will you do with what you have found?

David Mansingh, Chaplin at CRCC, e-mailed some of the comments the offenders made during the presentation Sunday afternoon. Each offender that chose to, could give a three minute testimony. Below is a few of the comments they made:

(1) "We did not know what to expect when we came. Brothers that did not speak to each other in the yard are now talking to each other." -Ronald

(2) The team brought the love of God here. We have experienced the greatest high with the Love of God here. It was better than any drugs I have ever taken. It was not a human love, it was God's Love. We are taking the Holy Spirit with us. Jesus is the manifestation of God's Love.

(3) I have not seen so many people since my jury trial. My family has rejected me when I came to prison. The Kairos family is my family now.

(4) When we came, we did not get along with each other. Now we love each other.

(5) God has changed my Heart. This is the only program that made me cry.

(6) I do not have a family. Kairos is now my family. I love God and I love people.

(7) The team had open hearts and open minds. They did not judge us.

(8) Kairos has lit a light at this prison. We have 34 lights shining at CRCC. I do not have to be ashamed any more. I have a new power to live for Christ.

(9) I am not innocent. I am guilty. I belong in prison. I have found forgiveness of my sins in the Kairos weekend.

May God bless the team members and the offenders as the continue this program at CRCC.