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God's Love Behind Bars: A Remarkable Kairos Weekend
Thank you for praying for the 94 th Kairos Weekend at the Union Correctional Institution (UCI) in Raiford, FL from March 21 – 23, 2025! Words cannot fully describe what God does in the hearts of the incarcerated men and women during these Kairos Weekends. Every Kairos volunteer will tell you that you have to experience it to see how the Holy Spirit touches the lives of not just the residents but the volunteers and even the correctional officers that are present. It is truly amazing, a blessing, and life changing. It is why once a volunteer attends a Weekend, they keep going back. Many keep going back until they are physically unable.
For background, Kairos Weekends are held inside the prison, usually in a chapel, fellowship hall or other meeting area. Six residents (inmates) are assigned to a family (table) with three Kairos team members. The Kairos program consists of 10 (20 minute) talks, scripture readings, meditations, table discussions, creating posters based on the talks, prayer, and worship through singing. We all eat meals together, have an opportunity for an open MIC time, and laugh. We also eat way too many cookies!
On this Weekend, we had 39 residents and 28 volunteers. Residents are from different backgrounds and beliefs. It is also helpful to know that UCI is mainly for men over the age of 50. Many have life sentences and will never be physically free outside the concertina wire. But God…is using Kairos to show these men that they can be free spiritually, which is ultimately the most important thing in life, whether incarcerated or not.
During the open MIC time on Saturday evening, residents are offered an opportunity to share what they are experiencing on the Weekend to that point. It is voluntary and many participate. Attached are the comments from UCI #94 on Saturday and Sunday.
Thank you again for supporting this ministry through your prayer and finances. And if God is nudging you to learn more about being a volunteer for either the men’s or women’s Kairos program, don’t ignore it. The blessings you will receive are enormous!
Inmate comments from open MIC at Union Correctional Institution Kairos #94 - March 21 - 23, 2025
“I was incarcerated in 2009 at a different institution. I had been trying to get to a Kairos Weekend. Kairos is about fellowship and a loving Holy Spirit. God has been good to me every day of my life. I appreciate you guys.”
“I wanted to be around people with love. I chose to go back to my previous path. I’ve wasted 27 years and wanted something different. We have seen the other side of the track and have not excuses to go back.”
“Thanks to God to come here and for His word and the volunteers who came.”
“I came to prison in 2015 and decided to follow God. I’m going to make it back to my family someday if God sees fit. An AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) volunteer at Century Correctional Institution told me about Kairos. God told me not to worry because He will provide all I need. I was a drug addict. My wife and I lost over $500,000 in six months, going to a gas station to get water to flush our toilet. When I saw my life falling apart in prison, God brought me to this Weekend. Seek for what is unseen. Thank you for the Kairos team and the inmates who are praying.
“I was shot 22 times at close range and only three bullets hit me. God showed me He is real.
Sometimes God delivers us when we don’t change our ways. You can’t look back on old ways. God is real, living, and the reason you’re here – God is trying to get your attention. Don’t trample on the good things Jesus has given you.”
“We’ve been fed real well spiritually. The food we eat physically will be gone shortly but the spiritual food lasts forever.”
“I had so much hate and anger. Came to Kairos and He is breaking down the walls in my life.”
“I have been down (incarcerated) for 40 years. Kairos is a mind-blowing experience. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. The love is overwhelming, it makes me want to cry.”
“All my life has been a struggle. Kairos has helped me out of the valley.”
“Been down since 1991. I was bugged by a fellow inmate to attend this Kairos weekend.”
“Stay rooted in Jesus. I was forced to go to church as a child. At 14, I was given the choice, so I left the church. Kairos is bringing me back.”
“Today, truth hit me in the face. Thank you Jesus!”
“I am truly happy to be here. I love Jesus. I talked with two Kairos volunteers that woke me up. Kairos is so beautiful. I’m 81 and really want to get right with God.”
“I was a lost vessel when I came. Now I am finding myself and God.”
“Thank you Lord for what I’ve learned. Thank you Lord for my prayer life – to pray for others and to forgive others.”
“I’ve been hearing about Kairos for a long time, signed up at the last minute because I heard a voice say, “Let me talk to you.” The volunteers sharing personal stories, the personal letters – I haven’t received a letter in 10 years (crying). I had a total melt down reading the letters (from each Kairos volunteer). I will never forget my new brothers who care about me. I’m leaving here with God saying, ‘Can you hear me now!’”
“I was a Jonah, running from God for 25 years. One Kairos volunteer talked to me about talking to others about Jesus. Pray for me to do His will – just do it!”
“I need to pray for my aunt who doesn’t know Jesus and to forgive her. Thanks to God and Kairos, and others to help me see the need to pray and forgive.”
“Thanks for new brothers and an eye-opening weekend!”
“I heard about Kairos in South Carolina. My mother died and it broke me. There was a Kairos but I was too upset and couldn’t go. Came to Florida, didn’t want to have anything to do with anybody. This weekend, God showed me He wants me to serve Him by serving others. I’m giving my life to Christ, asking Him to use me.
“Thank God this weekend. We heard about forgiveness. I had so much hate in me, now I can move forward.”
“I’m from New York and it’s hard being from New York to trust others. I wasn’t walking with God but learned here that I can walk with God for the rest of my life. I am not afraid anymore because I have Jesus.”
“I’ve been tricked by the devil all my life. But, this weekend, God ‘tricked’ me to coming to Kairos (tearing). To some people, opening your heart is weakness, but this weekend…” (he left the mic in tears)
At the end of the Weekend, the residents were asked three questions:
- In what spiritual condition were you in when you arrived here?
- What did you find here?
- What are you taking with you when you return to the compound?
Here are their responses:
In what spiritual condition were you in when you arrived here?
No spiritual condition, weak, lost, lacking spiritual understanding, “I threw away the King James Bible – twice,” fatigued, struggling, anxious, whipped, and broken.
What did you find here?
Fellowship, family, strengthened relationship with Jesus, understanding of the Word, eyes opened to spiritual truth, learned about the Trinity, family support, trust, peace, love, kindness, God’s love, wisdom, stay with Jesus.
What are you taking with you when you return to the compound?
A family of brothers in Christ, faith to keep me strong, peace, boldness to witness, love, the fruit of the Spirit, spiritual awareness, hope, patience, knowledge, renewed energy in willingness to share the gospel with others, the joy of Jesus, and love of other residents (inmates).
Want to Learn More About Kairos?
Learn: Kairos International Prison Ministry
Watch: Testimonies of love
Listen: Tommy Fisher
Watch: West Virginia Testimony
You can learn more about Kairos Prison Ministry International at https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/ or by contacting ministries@oursaviourjax.org.