I recently completed my first Kairos inside program on team at Wolston Correctional Centre in Queensland, Australia. I’m 48, I’ve been a Christian for years, married for 27 years, have grown children who are at different stages of leaving the nest, and I’m embarking on the midlife whatever you call it.
So, what is Kairos Inside? On paper it’s personal mentoring, 4 team building days over 8 weeks, 16 team members and 3 support team members all with a purpose and tasks to perform. We went inside with inmates for 5 consecutive days from 8.00am to 3.00pm each day. The program goes on a journey of discovery exploring who is the church, opening the door to Christ, forgiveness and much more. All pretty fundamental stuff for someone who’s been a Christian for years…or so I thought. The program, despite the organisational challenges for the team leaders, (which I found out is normal and all part of the fun for the team leaders) went as expected.The 18 residents of the prison that attended each day all came from different situations and ages ranging from early 20’s to 80 years old. Right from initial introductions, I was surprised to see some of the men had what appeared to be a genuine walk with Jesus. For sure, they were all on a journey.
A cohort of fellow prisoners who were graduates of the Kairos Inside program formed a dedicated serving team. They were called the Green Servants. Their dedication to the course program, along with a demonstrated commitment to see God move in the lives of the participants was astounding. Their prayers with the team at many points throughout the program and their self-less actions truly showed Christian brotherhood and unconditional love I’ve not seen commonly on the outside.
Having faithful men in the team with experience of many years and many programs was a great blessing and support. After only meeting them when joining the team for this program, I would now consider them to be among my closest Christian Brothers. ‘We are the Church!’ another particular truth stayed with me too: true praise for God is in the changes that appear in others’ lives when I obey and serve; not because of what I did, but because of who He is.
As the week progressed, the ever-present prison walls were briefly forgotten while the walls came down between us all. I watched in awe as God did His work. Some men saw love and forgiveness for the very first time and were willing to share it. Some visibly struggled, some just relaxed, many experienced joy, but all experienced something that will stay with them far beyond Kairos Wolston #15. Many of the prisoners shared their hearts in the very moving closing ceremony. That ‘Fundamental Christian stuff’ came home to rest in the dry places in my heart too. There were a few tears shed on my part I must admit.
I said earlier, the program went largely as expected. What was unexpected for me was to be so personally challenged in my faith to embark on a renewal of my own walk with Jesus, God as the man who can relate to us all, who loves so unconventionally and unconditionally with his agape love…and the program wasn’t even for me…or was it?
If anyone is wondering if there is more to their Christian life, especially at a time when Christ followers need to stand up across the world, it’s right at your fingertips with Kairos. The only way you can really see and understand the Kairos Inside journey is to do it yourself.
Kevin – Kairos Volunteer – Queensland
Find out more about volunteering for Kairos and contacts us – https://kairos.org.au/volunteer/
