My prison ministry in South Carolina

[Gary Minion]

I have been involved in two prison ministries here in Columbia, SC.  

One is called KAIROS, which is an effective ministry we who twice a year reaching 42 residence in a level 3 prison I am working at.  Kairos is also in other prisons through out the United States and beyond.  We have a mixture of layman and ordained ministries involved and approximated 60 plus men volunteer their time and resources.

The second ministry is called Jump Start foundered by a former inmate who became a Christian through the KAIROS ministry and radically changed.  When he go out he helped design this ministry to help other inmates.   At present we have about a 96% success rate.  The Jump Start program is based  on Rick Warrens "Purpose Driven Life" and after adding 4 to 5 more weeks it can last up to 45 weeks.  It is prisoner lead and we meet every other week with the table leaders before the main

group shows up.  We have approximately 60 men involved.

There are strict requirements which upon completion we back a graduate up with a Jump Start Home, help them find a job, a 6 month program to get back into the community. 

So far I have taken 3 men to a jump start home in Spartanburg, and have sat with guys in the group I am mentor before the parole board.

Great ministries, to motivate churches in their involvement in prison ministries on different levels.

Gary Minion