Kairos 27 at Hernando Correctional Facility was phenomenal. God did an awesome job. Our theme was, “It’s All Yours, God” and our scripture was Galatians 5:24-25 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives”.

A team of 36 women went into the prison to show Christ’s love to 36 female candidates who are prisoners. Many of the team were assigned talks in which they opened up and shared in a very vulnerable way that was amazing. Their testimonies were a very powerful demonstration of Jesus’ love, mercy, and grace.

Pastor Denny sent the team in to the prison Friday morning with a meditation about bringing the light of Christ into a dark place. He sent us with the purpose to be the beautiful feet of those who announce peace and proclaim the good news of salvation that our God reigns (Isaiah 52:7). [This scripture was not shared with the girls on the weekend].

The power of the Holy Spirit works visibly before your very eyes on a Kairos weekend. Here are some quotes from the candidates, “This weekend has been amazing…I realized a lot about myself and my relationship with God. Through God they [the team] have made me a better person…”. “I believe with all my heart that something within me has changed for the better. I felt Jesus touch me during one of the songs…”. “This weekend has been a tremendous turn around”. “Thanks for giving me a lifetime experience that opened my eyes to a whole new light…”. “This is the first time that I have felt love from someone who didn’t expect anything back”. “I know now that God loves me, no matter what and I can trust in Him and He will never fail me”. “I feel like when I came here, I was a sunset, but now I am a sunrise”.

I also have some very wonderful comments from a prisoner who did NOT make the weekend. There are always many more prisoners who sign up for the weekend than we can have attend. We pray a great deal and then draw the names out of a hat literally. These are the girl’s comments who did not make the weekend, “Today when everybody came back [from Kairos], you could see an undeniable glow illuminating from all of their faces. See, I was really upset when I wasn’t picked because I didn’t understand why all these other people got chosen who were only going because of the food, the wrong reasons. I see now why I was not chosen. I consider myself to have a good relationship with God and a strong faith in Christ. Even though we never stop growing and learning, had I been chosen, someone else wouldn’t have, and could have missed a true life changing experience. I was either in tears or on the verge of them many times tonight because it made me so happy to see God working in these people. Without this Kairos experience, I don’t know if I ever would have been able to witness this change in them. They may have come for the food, but they stayed for the right reasons. …Thank you for allowing Christ to work through you. It is a definite faith booster.”

Finally, some of the girls made us a “card” with a cross on the front and a scripture. Don’t you know this is the scripture they chose, “How beautiful are the feet of them who bring good news…”.

To sum up the weekend, I think I can say, Mission Accomplished!
Thank you again. Your prayers were felt by all and God did a miraculous work in our midst.