Kairos – An Inside and Outside Prison Ministry 

By Gaye Bunderson 

1. When did you first become involved in Kairos Prison Ministry and what motivated you?
2. I started about 10 years ago. At that time I was working, but God was speaking to my heart to become involved in some kind of ministry. My wife was a support volunteer for Kairos Inside (KI). She also was part of the Kairos Outside (KO) program. So I first volunteered as a support volunteer for KO.

When I saw the transformation of some of those involved in that program, I signed up to go into prison with KI for men. Just for reference Kairos Prison Ministry is one ministry, three programs. Kairos Inside is a prison ministry with a mission to develop a Christian community on the inside for men and women incarcerated in prison. Kairos Outside is a ministry for women who have been impacted by prison by either their spouses, parents, or relatives. Kairos Torch is a mentoring program for incarcerated youth, ages 25 and under. Idaho currently has one KI for men and members are praying to get a KO started again, as well as a Torch ministry up and running. 

1. What does the word Kairos mean in this context?
2. The Greek language delineated two types of time: Chronos and Kairos. Chronos refers to sequential, quantitative time (seconds, minutes, hours, years). Kairos does not care about how many ticks of the clock have passed. Instead, Kairos is the perfect moment or the best time to do something amazing. It is not about how long you wait but catching the right moment when it comes. So I would say it is the timing of when God calls and one answers. The Kairos programs start with a 3½ Day Weekend which is “God’s perfect time,” or Kairos time for that participant. It is then followed up by weekly prayer and share groups, monthly gatherings, and quarterly one-day retreats.
3. Could you tell me what happens when you walk into a prison to visit inmates?
4. I cannot speak for everyone, but 10 years ago I could not just walk in and start talking to a resident about Christ by myself. The first time I walked into prison it was a little intimidating, and to be honest I was a bit nervous. The one thing that helps when going in with Kairos is that it is with a team of men that is led by Jesus. Spreading the good news the first time one goes in is easier with fellow Christians, with Christ leading us. After 10 years it is not intimidating and I do not feel nervous. I am now very comfortable and would feel comfortable going by myself, but I fully enjoy going in with my fellow Kairos brothers and sisters.
5. Could you tell me one of the more inspiring stories about an inmate who was saved?
6. There’s so many. One that really stands out to me was during the second year I was in KI. We let any resident come into Kairos and it starts with the 3½ Day Weekend. The 3½ Day Weekend is held every year for up to 42 residents. It is where we tell them about Christ and do a short course in the Christian way to live. At the end of this program, residents have a time where they can stand up and tell the audience what the weekend has meant or done for them.

One of the residents who attended that year confessed, “When I came in on Thursday, I was the leader of the devil worshipers at this facility and after these three days I am giving my life to Christ.” 

Since then, he has been an active participant in the Kairos weekly prayer and share, monthly reunions, quarterly gatherings, and bringing other residents to Christ. Not every resident who goes through Kairos changes, but many do, and others at least have heard the Word and hopefully will come to know Christ. 

1. How would you encourage others — inside or outside the church — to get involved in helping those in prison? And what is the best and safest way for people to do that?
2. I cannot speak for other ministries and/or programs involved with prisons, but for Kairos there are several ways to become involved either inside the prison or out with the ministry. A person can be a team member going into the prison involved in KI, and/or Torch, and/or be a team member of KO. A person can also be involved in all three as a prayer partner, support volunteer, financial supporter, or board member. Anyone can be involved in Kairos without going into the prison. In other words prayer, time, and financial support are important.

As I hear from a lot of ministries and programs, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37-38). The best and safest way for Christians to get involved would be start with prayer. Pray for what God is calling you to do for Kairos. Then whether Christian or outside the church, Idaho Department of Corrections has a protocol and training a person has to go through to be able to enter the prison. The Idaho Kairos team would love to have you join our team to spread the good news. 

1. What are some other specific guiding verses for the ministry?
2. I would say there are several that pertain. The main one is Matthew 25:36. The other that God put on my heart was one Jesus asked his disciples to do: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole of creation” (Mark 16:15).
3. In what ways are people in prison both like us and different from us?
4. They’re like us in that they’re human and have faults. Once they become Christians they also struggle with faith and hope, but it’s harder in prison. We are all exposed to negativity, but from what I have seen in talking with residents it feels like one can’t (just) get out and get away from that negativity. Also, many people in prison come from very difficult backgrounds. Just like us, though, we all have to look towards Christ and let Him lead us to His way of life for us no matter the circumstances.
5. What is particularly unique about Kairos?
6. We are in 39 states and 15 countries. We work with both men, women, and with juveniles when there are available and willing volunteers. We are ecumenical. We come from various denominations, but we put those denominational differences aside and focus on Jesus. We’re just showing Jesus Christ.

Our motto is simple: LISTEN, LISTEN, LOVE, LOVE. We work to exhibit the total agape love of Jesus, while at the same time speaking truth. I would say for me Kairos emphasizes it’s not about religion; it’s about relationship. We’re following Christ’s lead. You find further information on the Kairos website at kairosprisonministry.org. 

Kent Smith is Idaho Kairos State Chair. He may be reached at [email protected].