Kairos Inside Topeka
Kairos Inside Topeka is an organization within Kairos Prison Ministries International (KPMI). The purpose of KPMI is to bring the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to those who are incarcerated as well as those impacted by incarceration. The organization ministers to those who are incarcerated across the United States as well as in other countries across the world. The Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) is the only women’s prison in the state and houses about 950 inmates. These women are serving sentences that vary from a few months to life without parole, with custody levels ranging from minimum to maximum. The Kairos ministry works with those women who have maximum or high medium custody and usually ministers to those who are serving longer sentences. The purpose of the ministry is to change the culture in the prison by impacting those who have the longest stays. In September 2019, we conducted our fifteenth four-day weekend in the prison, adding another eighteen women to the Kairos sisters that are still incarcerated in TCF. Following the weekend, these women can participate in the ongoing ministry that includes weekly small accountability group meetings, monthly reunions led by the inside Kairos sisters, and quarterly retreats led by the outside Kairos volunteers.
How the Mini-Grant Was Used
Kairos Inside Topeka is very grateful for the funds received from Trinity Lutheran’s Mini-Grant program. The funds were used to support the four-day weekend in September that included serving ten meals to the inmates and volunteers on the weekend as well as the staff that support the weekend – about fifty people for each meal.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Kairos ministry at TCF is ongoing with many volunteer opportunities as they are already planning for the next weekend. There are opportunities to join the ministry as a volunteer and participate in a weekend where you will see God show up in powerful ways and change the hearts of the participants and the volunteers. Each weekend is supported by prayer and so there are many opportunities to pray for the ministry, the volunteers, and the participants. Hosting on the weekends and providing for the retreats requires funds and this ministry is entirely supported by donations. Donations can include food prepared for the weekend or financial support. For more information, please contact Kristin Harrell, a member of Trinity Lutheran congregation. She served on the last weekend and she can answer any questions you may have and put you in touch with the next weekend leader.
