Why Bother?

I've been asked why I "bother" with prison ministry. The assumption is that the incarcerated aren't worth the effort. They are bad news, are there because the deserve to be and sane people would stay away from them staying out of harm's way. I'm sure there may be some that did not commit the crimes for which they have been sentenced, but for the most part they are there because they deserve to be, however, if we all were to receive what we deserve there would be no reason for a Savior. Those that find themselves behind the lethal fence have made mistakes, but God loves them the same as you and me.

Let's imagine for a moment that someone showed up at your door and told you that you had 2 minutes to decide which of your 2 children were to be put to death at the end of those 2 minutes. There was no getting around this situation, one of your children is going to be put to death. One of your children is the "perfect child", straight "A's" in school, polite, respectful, etc. The other has had a checkered past, is an alcoholic, has a past conviction and continues to be on a path of destruction. They are both YOUR children.... which do you choose? Which do you love less?

Is there anything your child could do to make you LOVE them more?

Is there anything they could do to make you LOVE them less?

God sees all of His children in this way. All are the same, all are loved and all are in need of a Savior.

Prisons are every bit as much of a mission field as anywhere else in the world. They are among the darkest of places on the planet. Some refer to them as "Satan's playground". I have heard Earth referred to the same way. I can't think of a mission field that is more in need of the gospel message and conveyance of God's agape love.

Why do I bother? Because God bothered with me..... and YOU!

New Kairos of Missouri-Crossroads Website

Our new website is complete and has been launched. It replaces the one that had been provided and maintained by Wade for many months. We owe Wade a great deal of gratitude for having initiated a website in the first place and also taking time to keep it current.

The new website is a little different.

I encourage everyone to check it out.

The web address has not changed.

It is still http://kairosmo-crossroads.org

Bryan

Kairos #6 - Crossroads Nov. 5th - 8th 2009

Kairos #6 is almost upon us and I am confident that God will once again show up in a mighty way this weekend. I, personally, am filled with a sense of great anticipation. Watching how the Holy Spirit moves over the men and the team during these weekends is a "high" that, for me, just can't be matched. It's exhilarating to watch these men go through a metamorphosis; transforming from cocooned withdrawn souls into love soaked ones. Renewed by God's love into men who now see themselves not as expendable, but as valued by a God who loves them more than they will ever know. Do all of them "get it", unfortunately no, but none of them will forget their Kairos.

August Kairos Reunion

Last Tuesday's Kairos Reunion was very interactive. The prayer and share group I sat in on was very much on point with how the prayer and share is supposed to be done. I was mesmerized by how far some far some of the men had come in their walk with Christ. Let no one ever doubt the impact God is having on these men through the power of the Holy Spirit as He directs the vessel of Kairos. And to think we get to share and be used in that impact. Wow! All in all it was a fantastic time and all went well...... well, except for the closing which ended up a little backward, and the timing of "Surely the Presence" being way off .... but hey.... it all worked out! Praise God!

If you want to post on this blog...

Just say so! I'll email you an invite and you accept. It's that simple!

An Awesome Retreat

Larry did a great job leading the retreat and once again, hats off to big Dave for his efforts. Due to teaching ESLS I hadn't been to Prayer and Share for quite a while, so I was able to really notice the change(s) in a lot of the guys. Jesse J. for instance.... WOW!... so gracious, so loving, so tender in his countenance. Just one example of how the Holy Spirit takes a HARD heart and softens it with the grace, peace and mercy of our loving God. He was only one of many that I noticed bigtime changes in. It's so cool to see the sparkle of Holy light in their eyes instead of the darkness that preceded it. Amen?
Anybody else have a comment about the retreat?

Lanny's Back !

Praise God for the safe return of Lanny, Whitney and Andrew and praise Him as well for the way he used them for His glory in Romania! I for one am looking forward to visiting with him about the trip. Keep up with his life's journey at http://iveneverownedabox.blogspot.com

Bibles for CRCC

Using money generated from Google Adsense on a couple of websites, I was able to purchase 3 cases (72 books) of
"Free on the Inside" Bibles for the men at Crossroads.
Please pray for God's continued blessing on this effort to raise funds to purchase more Bibles as well as upcoming ministry efforts that are planned. To God goes the glory!

Bryan

Keeping Up With Lanny....

As many know Lanny, Whitney and Andrew have now been on mission in Romania 10 days. Keep up with all that is going on by visiting Lanny's blog. (iveneverownedabox.blogspot.com)

Robert's Emmaus Walk

Prayer continues for Robert as he participates in the Walk to Emmaus this weekend. I remember my Emmaus experience and I am absolutely certain God is going to "MESS HIM UP"!!!

Staying Connected

The purpose of this blog is to provide an avenue of connection for the Kairos of Missouri team members serving Crossroads Correctional Center. It's a place where we can share our lives with one another as well as staying current on events as it pertains to our involvement with Kairos.
Anything posted here MUST stay within the Kairos "riverbanks".

Signing up as a "Follower" insures you are kept abreast of new posts.