About Kairos
Helping those impacted by incarceration, through the love, hope and faith found in Jesus Christ.
Our Vision
A community spiritually freed from the effects of imprisonment reaching all impacted by incarceration, through the love, hope and faith found in Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
Kairos shares 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.
What is Kairos?
Who We Are
Kairos Prison Ministry Australia is an interdenominational Christian ministry reaching out to incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them; to bring sustainable meaning and hope in the place of loneliness, isolation and despair. Kairos is building Christian Community in response to the challenge issued by our Lord Jesus “I was in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:36) to share with inmates and their families the unconditional love of God. To enable a vision of the abundant life that a relationship with Jesus gives.
Kairos is a ministry where volunteers work together as the body of Christ and set aside denominational differences to serve together and to embody the true meaning of church.
Does Kairos Work?
Experience has shown that those who attend our programs become more positive, more future directed and more outward looking as they learn about their relationship with God and others.
God’s Spirit often brings a transformation in their lives for those who make a genuine commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
Our History
A trial program in Parramatta gaol in NSW in 1995 was the result of a visit to the USA by a small group of enthusiasts to learn about the Kairos Prison Ministry which started in 1976. More information on the origins of the ministry can be found here.
Once approval was given from NSW Corrective Services, programs commenced in Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997 and Silverwater Correctional Complex in 1998. Queensland followed quickly in 1999 and South Australia in 2002. Kairos Prison Ministry Australia was incorporated in 1998 and takes its Program Manuals under Licence from Kairos Prison Ministry International.
Kairos is currently represented in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. There are also small representations in Victoria and Western Australia.
In one pre Covid year, over 600 men and women attended one of our intensive Programs in a face to face setting in Australia both inside and outside prison walls. Globally, with more than 40,000 volunteers in 500 communities and prisons around the world, the impact equates to an estimated 30,000 people each year who are touched by Kairos internationally.
Why do we do it?
Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Kairos follows this command in a prison environment. Kairos shares with inmates and their families the unconditional love of God. This creates a vision of the abundant life that Jesus gives.
What We Do
Kairos Inside for Incarcerated Men and Women
Kairos Outside
for Women impacted by the imprisonment of family or friends
