WHY IS CONTINUING MINISTRY THE HEART OF KAIROS

WHY IS “CONTINUING MINISTRY” THE HEART OF KAIROS? Presented by Betty Carter and Tony Coriaty

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING MINISTRY

PURPOSE OF CONTINUING MINISTRY • It is the success of the Kairos’ programs – which also sets Kairos apart from other ministries. • Goal and Purpose To Provide Christian support for Men, Women, Boys, and Girls To continue to provide love and support beyond the weekend To establish Christian communities whether inside or outside the walls. These folks minister to one another, others, and staff.

PURPOSE OF CONTINUING MINISTRY • Volunteer’s commitment • KPMI: All three programs (Inside, Outside, and Torch) • Hebrew 6: 10 “God is not unjust, he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them”. (NIV)

WHAT IS A HEART? • Central or innermost part of something: The core vital organ that keeps us alive • Symbol of love

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO MINISTRY? The heart of Christianity is the word of God. His word teaches us to : LOVE SUPPORT PASS NO JUDGEMENT John 3: 17– 18 “But If anyone has the world’s good and sees his brother in need, Yet close his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (ESV)

ADVANTAGE OF CONTINUING MINISTRY • BUILDS A STRONG COMMUNITY • Philippians’ 2: 5 (NIV) ‘’In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. “ • Staying Connected • Kairos Inside, Kairos Outside and Kairos Torch • HELP THEM TO FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER • People from different backgrounds, religion , and race come together with one common interest – GOD • FUNCTION AS A SAFE HAVEN • Kairos is like a safety net for the guest, the participant, and team members during their weekends.

ADVANTAGE OF CONTINUING MINISTRY • Feel comfortable enough to share their stories • Fosters Accountability (Now that you have experienced God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness, what have you been doing with it? ) • Continuing ministry continues to provide the support, guidance, and love that’s needed beyond the weekend experience. • Some individuals do not have someone they can talk to without being judged when they are going through hard times.

KAIROS INSIDE • Weekend: “A Building Process”. Simply, an “Opening the Door” • Instructional Reunion: Critical element of the Kairos experience/Newest members/ Teaches “Prayer and Share” grouping • Weekly Prayer and Share grouping • Monthly Reunion: Fostering participation and an opportunity for spiritual growth. • One or two day Retreat: All Kairos Members • Inside Resident Community Council 10

INSTRUCTIONAL REUNION The importance of the Instructional reunion cannot be overemphasized! • • • Should take place as soon after the Weekend as possible (1 to 2 weeks). Councils should consider adding the date and time to the Application to Attend (Pg. 45, 46) The “Grouping” card should be used during each talk except the first on “Spiritual Listening” Those selected to give the short talks should be in an accountability Group and mention it during talks

Kairos Inside --- Prayer and Share

Monthly Reunions • Kairos Inside returns monthly to assist the residents in becoming productive citizens. • Residents provide leadership for monthly Reunions. (Inside Resident Council) • Residents are selected to share how Jesus is working in their lives. • Introduces potential participants to Kairos.

One or Two Day Retreat PURPOSE: To encourage Kairos Graduates, especially those who have fallen away. A Retreat is held around 3 months following each Weekend. The Retreat is conducted by a small team with a minimum of 10 Kairos volunteers and is open to all participants who have attended a Weekend.

INSIDE RESIDENT COMMUNITY COUNCIL (Pg. 237) So very important to conducting a full Continuing Ministry program! This Council is the “eyes and ears” of the Kairos community and will foster greater participation! 1. Under the direction of the Chaplain with input from the Continuing Ministry Coordinator. 2. Assists the Chaplain with the organization of the inside Kairos community

KAIROS OUTSIDE Purpose: To demonstrate God’s grace an love through Christian support for women who have relatives/friends who are, or have been incarcerated. Women who have been released from prison and could not attend a Kairos Weekend while they were incarcerated. Love and Support: Begins on the weekend Growth: Reunion and Support Groups (by zip codes) Psalm 25: 17 “Relieve my troubled heart and bring me out of my distress.

KAIROS OUTSIDE • Reunion (minimum four times a year) • First reunion for Guests: after the weekend • Opportunity to meet and socialize/offering consistent exposure in sharing lives with others. • Guest, Family, Friends, and Kairos community • Introductions to S. W. A. P Cards • Share • Witness • Account • Pray • Romans 12: 10 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ”

KAIROS OUTSIDE (continue) • Sharing thoughts and feelings • Learning more about themselves and each other • Matthew 18: 20 “Where there are two or three gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them. ” • Advisory Council Role • Continuing Ministry Coordinator

S. W. A. P. S hare W itness A ccount P ray

SHARE • What have you learned during the past week that helps you have a better understanding of Christ’s love and what Christ is calling you to do? • Share the choices you want to make in the future and the direction you want your life to go.

WITNESS To those times when you especially felt Christ’s love during the past week, when you tried to recognize His love and when it was hard to show His love to someone.

ACCOUNT For your progress (or lack of progress) in doing what you told the group you were going to do to grow, to better show God’s love to Others.

PRAY For each other; ask for prayer for yourself, both in thanksgiving and for support.

KAIROS TORCH • Purpose: To Offer unconditional love and acceptance, encouraging male & female youth to share their life journey through participation in a long-term mentoring process. • Begin with a Weekend Retreat inside the prison • Volunteers commitment • Weekly mentoring process with the youthful offenders six month (6) after the Weekend.

KAIROS TORCH • Weekend: Introductory 2½ program for youth ages 25 and under who live in juvenile detention or correctional facilities. • Introduce youth to Christian concepts as a means of making better choices for their lives. • Continuing Ministry a Christian-centered Mentoring Process • Each participant will be mentored for six (6) months • Done by volunteer team members

KAIROS TORCH • Through unconditional love and affirmation, the incarcerated youth will begin to see themselves as God sees them: unique, special, and created in the image of God. • Mask Off: will be able to make better positive choices for their lives.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ROLE • Continuing Ministry Coordinator • To ensure Continuing Ministry is running properly (Advisory Council Operating Procedures, page 16) • Selection of Reunion Leaders: Develop Leadership • Minimum of four times a year • Guests, families, children, friends, and potential team members are encouraged to attend:

Q&A