A Sypnosis by Donnalyn
Date: December 30, 2007
Guest Speaker: Clint Daggett
Sunday, December 30th, being a 5th Sunday in a month, was a missions emphasis Sunday at Christ Chapel. We had the distinct pleasure of being visited by Clint and Nancy Daggett, who represent the Maine chapter of Kairos Prison Ministry International. Clint gave a wonderful overview of the ministry, which spurred unanswered questions in my own mind. I happened upon Clint in the hallway following the service, and so had a chance to run my questions by him. Here’s what I learned, both from his presentation and my questioning afterwards:
Kairos Prison Ministry is an outreach program founded to minister to the spiritual hearts of men and women prisoners and their families. Inside prisons, they conduct weekend events that go from Thursday night through Sunday, for groups of 24 prisoners at a time. Typically six prisoners are seated at round tables, each staffed with a volunteer, and a volunteer clergy leads the event. At its core, this ministry focuses on sharing on a very personal level the hearts of the volunteers with the prisoners and their experiences and own life testimonies of the Lord’s work in their lives. I asked Clint how prisoners end up attending the events, and he said they sign up through the Chaplain’s office. They often first come into the room on Thursday night “looking for the catch” (there is none) and feeling quite defensive. But as the weekend progresses, by Sunday, tears are falling and prisoners are sharing testimonies of what God is speaking to their hearts that weekend. But Kairos doesn’t simply walk away at the end of the event. They return once a month for reunion get-togethers with any who have attended past weekend events, continuing to minister to the hearts of inmates. This is not a bible study, but rather a program through which God is ministering to the hearts of, and through the hearts of, his people.
What a blessing to hear of such an awesome thing! Kairos also ministers inside youth detention centers and to women outside of prison walls, who are relatives of inmates. Where appropriate they partner with restaurants to bring food, and Clint’s wife Nancy coordinates “Agape” - letters written through the love of Christ for prisoners. These come in various forms from all over the world. Besides Clint and Nancy there are some 25 other active volunteers in Maine right now. Keep this ministry in prayer as Clint is in the process of retiring from his post as Chairman for the State of Maine, and the Lord has recently opened up access for this group to minister in the Windham Correctional Facility. Where that is so close to us, perhaps the Lord is even tugging on hearts in our midst to become involved in this ministry.
