The KI Mobilong Short Course #37 was an amazing experience that kept the team continually seeking God’s guidance, wisdom, courage and strength, as we put our hope and trust in Him, seeking His will and patiently waiting on His direction. And He delivered, never failing to bless many.
Team recruitment commenced in early July and a full team of 26 Inside Team members and 11 Outside Team Support members. The Team was complete well before the commencement of the first Team Formation Day.
Significant time was invested in prayer with the focus on God selecting His team for KM37 (Kairos Inside Mobilong). The Team had great unity, working as one in Christ. God’s hand was clearly on this group.
A few weeks prior to the commencement of the short course we were notified by Correctional Services of industrial action planned for Wednesday 26th November which was to be Day 2 of the Inside course and a full 10-hour session with the participants. This resulted in last minute negotiations with Mobilong Prison Management in attempt to retrieve some of those lost 10 hours.
Paise God, we managed to recover approximately half of the hours lost and this resulted in a program reschedule for Tuesday and Thursday. Friday’s schedule remained unchanged.
After regaining some hours from the Prison, the whole team gathered on Monday morning at base church Murray Bridge a full day early to prepare for an early entry into prison on the Tuesday. We used the Monday to begin to re-write the program schedule for the Tuesday and Thursday.
We had 24 participants registered to attend KM37 along with 4 reserves and 16 graduate servants. The Mobilong Chaplain worked tirelessly to achieve these great numbers.
We started Tuesday with 20 participants of which 2 were reserves.
By Friday the numbers reduced to 15 Participants. One participant was released on the Friday afternoon prior to the Closing Ceremony which left 14 participants graduating and able to attend the Closing.
The Bible and Cross presentation to participants in the Recreation Centre was particularly special and moving.
The Closing Ceremony was the real highlight with approximately 110-120 people present. Great numbers from the wider Kairos Community and past graduates attended.
The feedback from our outside guests was extremely positive and encouraging, there were some great stories of hearts being softened and hope being revealed. It was wonderful to see the transformation of the participants over the three days as God gently met each participant where they were. Observing the interaction between the team and the participants and guests following the Ceremony was a real blessing as relationships were being established and built.
We heard a beautiful testimony from a KM35 past Graduate speaker of how his life has been transformed by the love and forgiveness he found in Jesus. He spoke of his hope for the future. Praise God!
Our 4th day speaker also provided a positive and encouraging message to our graduates current and past.
I believe the Holy Spirit was powerfully present during the Closing Ceremony and the worship was particularly powerful. You couldn’t help but sense Gods power and authority over this time.
All but one graduate attended the Instructional Reunion on the following Tuesday.
The prayer and share groups went extremely well with some deep sharing and prayer by the participants.
There is no doubting that the experience of a Short Course is incredibly rewarding. The peace and trust that comes from allowing His Holy Spirit to work on the participants and us, is an absolute blessing to witness and experience.
The relationships that have grown within the KM37 Team and the wider faith community have been so rewarding and appreciated, particularly noting the encouragement and support received from the Kairos Mobilong Regional Committee. KM37 was a blessing to many.
Grace & Peace
Rory – Chair KI Mobilong – South Australia
