Kairos Torch Comes to Mississippi

The word Kairos is a Greek word meaning God’s Special Time.  Kairos Torch is a ministry of Kairos, Inc. to incarcerated young offenders age 25 and under.  It is conducted by lay and clergy volunteers, under the authority of the national Kairos Board of Directors, headquartered in Winter Park, Florida.

The first Kairos Torch in Mississippi was held on July 24 – July 26 at the Walnut Grove Correctional Facility, led by Danny and Marilyn Brunt.  The weekend is a combined effort of an ecumenical, Torch Team to introduce young men to Christian concepts as a means of making better choices for their lives.  It is designed to encourage the participants to peel away their masks and with God’s unconditional love, they can see themselves as unique, special, and created in the image of God.  Making better choices builds their self-esteem and gives the participant a hope for a life not affiliated with gangs and crime so they can be on the path to being a productive citizen.  

The initial weekend is followed with an established mentoring program that involves one- on-one mentoring sessions with each inmate participant and will be done by the volunteer male members of the Torch team for six months following the weekend.  During the Torch weekend, women can be part of the team that goes into the correctional facility.

In preparation for the Torch weekend, an ecumenical Christian team gathers for 40 hours of training—necessary time to equip the team with mentoring guides and learning opportunities, and most of all time to be united in the common purpose and share in the single spirit of Jesus.

Torch weekend will be an intense interaction with incarcerated youth—filled with good food, music, and times for reflection.  There is a spot for all volunteers, both men and women—table leaders and workers; food team; agape team, etc.   If you feel God prompting you to volunteer or if feel that this is not for you, we encourage you to pray about the opportunity.  Kairos Torch uses this verse “so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalms 103.5.  

Torch #2 will take place March 26-28,  2010, and #3 will be  October 29-31, 2010.

Donations can be made to:

Kairos of Mississippi
Attention: Julian Crawford
P. O. Box 94
Louise, MS 39097