Who We Are
Doc's Testimony
Kairos Prison Ministry Changes Lives
Born and raised in southern CA, Doc began a promising career in Emergency Medicine and trauma. But alcohol overtook his life. In 1986, his alcoholism led him to a 21 year sentence in state prison. After spending a few years in denial, angry and in a maximum security prison, Doc made a Kairos retreat which changed his life.
Kairos Inside is an ecumenical continuing prison ministry, patterned after Cursillo, launched with the presentation of a 3-day retreat in Christianity. Participants are given the opportunity to experience a spiritual renewal and to accept God's call to a life of Christian witness and service to one another during their stay in the institution and beyond. Participants interact with others who are, or have been in similar situations and thus find strength in their life journeys. Each small group is guided by Kairos team members, two lay persons and one clergy. For many prisoners this small group will be their first experience in a loving family.
Informal surveys indicate that approximately 75% of inmates who graduate from a Kairos short course in Christianity and remain active in the follow-up reunions and share and prayer groups will not return to prison. After the first Kairos Weekend at the Victorville Prison, the significant positive change in the behavior of the inmates that attended the Kairos Weekend was evident to the prison staff, especially to the warden. The warden was quick to tell the Kairos volunteers something to the effect, "I don't know exactly what you guys did, but can you put on a Kairos Weekend every month?" The warden then explained that he had never seen inmates so happy and friendly with each other, especially between ethnic groups that normally did not get along. One inmate said: “Kairos led me from an intellectual understanding to a loving acceptance of the promises of Christianity (put Jesus Christ in my heart). Today Jesus lives in my head and my heart.”
When you come into contact with those released from prison, wouldn’t you want them to be just such a Christian, a person with a personal relationship with God?
Kairos Prison Ministry has had such a positive impact on inmates and the correctional environment in California that Kairos is unable to keep up with the many requests to start Kairos at more prisons and on more yards. At the present time in the Diocese of San Bernardino, Kairos operates at the California Institute for Women (CIW) in Corona, the California Institute for Men (CIM) in Chino, Ironwood State Prison in Blythe and the federal prison in Victorville. Kairos Outside conducts its retreats in Pomona, Coachella and the High Desert. More volunteers are desperately needed!
Don Zinkovich - Personal Witness
My joy and excitement is
In seeing and hearing
The personal journeys of others
In the prison prayer-and sharing talks.
I feel it is filled with a
Very personal truth based on
Trusting and caring about
And/for a fellow Christian.
When I heard another's journey,
Then I can better understand them
And if they are in pain, feel that pain
And try, if possible, to help to ease it.
To show them that someone else
Understands and cares and listens
To them with an open heart and
Open ears to hear.
It is a moment of discovery
A one on one discovery with
A fellow Christian on his or her
Journey just as
I am on my personal journey.
Doc's Testimony
Kairos Prison Ministry Changes Lives
Born and raised in southern CA, Doc began a promising career in Emergency Medicine and trauma. But alcohol overtook his life. In 1986, his alcoholism led him to a 21 year sentence in state prison. After spending a few years in denial, angry and in a maximum security prison, Doc made a Kairos retreat which changed his life.
Kairos Inside is an ecumenical continuing prison ministry, patterned after Cursillo, launched with the presentation of a 3-day retreat in Christianity. Participants are given the opportunity to experience a spiritual renewal and to accept God's call to a life of Christian witness and service to one another during their stay in the institution and beyond. Participants interact with others who are, or have been in similar situations and thus find strength in their life journeys. Each small group is guided by Kairos team members, two lay persons and one clergy. For many prisoners this small group will be their first experience in a loving family.
Informal surveys indicate that approximately 75% of inmates who graduate from a Kairos short course in Christianity and remain active in the follow-up reunions and share and prayer groups will not return to prison. After the first Kairos Weekend at the Victorville Prison, the significant positive change in the behavior of the inmates that attended the Kairos Weekend was evident to the prison staff, especially to the warden. The warden was quick to tell the Kairos volunteers something to the effect, "I don't know exactly what you guys did, but can you put on a Kairos Weekend every month?" The warden then explained that he had never seen inmates so happy and friendly with each other, especially between ethnic groups that normally did not get along. One inmate said: “Kairos led me from an intellectual understanding to a loving acceptance of the promises of Christianity (put Jesus Christ in my heart). Today Jesus lives in my head and my heart.”
When you come into contact with those released from prison, wouldn’t you want them to be just such a Christian, a person with a personal relationship with God?
Kairos Prison Ministry has had such a positive impact on inmates and the correctional environment in California that Kairos is unable to keep up with the many requests to start Kairos at more prisons and on more yards. At the present time in the Diocese of San Bernardino, Kairos operates at the California Institute for Women (CIW) in Corona, the California Institute for Men (CIM) in Chino, Ironwood State Prison in Blythe and the federal prison in Victorville. Kairos Outside conducts its retreats in Pomona, Coachella and the High Desert. More volunteers are desperately needed!
Don Zinkovich - Personal Witness
My joy and excitement is
In seeing and hearing
The personal journeys of others
In the prison prayer-and sharing talks.
I feel it is filled with a
Very personal truth based on
Trusting and caring about
And/for a fellow Christian.
When I heard another's journey,
Then I can better understand them
And if they are in pain, feel that pain
And try, if possible, to help to ease it.
To show them that someone else
Understands and cares and listens
To them with an open heart and
Open ears to hear.
It is a moment of discovery
A one on one discovery with
A fellow Christian on his or her
Journey just as
I am on my personal journey.
What We Do
Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners… (Heb 13:3)
Volunteers Needed
Kairos Prison Ministry conducts four-day courses (called Retreats), followed by weekly Prayer-and-Share, along with a monthly reunion, inside the prison to bring the love of Christ to inmates. It changes the lives of the inmates and those who minister to them for the better. We are currently active at the California State Prison for Men (CAL), Calipatria, California and are seeking more male volunteers to expand our reach.
Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners… (Heb 13:3)
Volunteers Needed
Kairos Prison Ministry conducts four-day courses (called Retreats), followed by weekly Prayer-and-Share, along with a monthly reunion, inside the prison to bring the love of Christ to inmates. It changes the lives of the inmates and those who minister to them for the better. We are currently active at the California State Prison for Men (CAL), Calipatria, California and are seeking more male volunteers to expand our reach.
Current Activities
- Semi-annual retreats at the prison
- Weekly (Wednesday) Prayer-and-Share meetings at the prison
- Monthly (Sunday) Reunions of Kairos graduates at the prison
Where We Are Now
Goals For 2017
In 2017, we are trying to meet our past goal of having a full retreat in the spring and fall at Calipatria State Prison. If we want to continue to meet this goal, we need to continue to bring in new volunteers that have the same commitment and drive and want to make a difference in the lives of the men-in-blue and bring the love of Christ into their life 'one inmate at a time.'
We are trying to meet our commitment by having our volunteers make a commitment to be available through training and fellowship. This commitment is not always easy but knowing you are making a difference in others lives can only be the beginning.
This starts by you making the commitment and following through to bring others into the ministry. As the stewardship explanation tells us, time-talent-treasure are the key ways. In the commitment of at least one year, you will be able to see what that difference can be not only in the life of the men-in-blue but also in your own life.
When you finish going through a retreat there is a feeling you have gained as much or more than what the men-in-blue have gained by going through the retreat. That feeling is knowing you have made a difference and the proof will be in how the men-in-blue now look at themselves differently. To see them want to pick up the pieces of their life and to have them open their eyes and realize that they are 'not alone' in their life journey and our lord is walking beside them and loves them. To know you are a part of allowing them not only to learn to love themselves but learn to share that love with others within the institution. This is such a change within their life in such a short time that it becomes to them 'life changing'.
Ask yourself: are you sharing your gifts or can you do more and help this ministry in any of the three ways of stewardship? If you want to be a part of this ministry and are able to commit a year of your time, an application can be mailed (or e-mailed) to you (see phone # below).
Also, if you have questions -e-mail them (or call number below) and we will get back to you with answers.
Goals For 2017
In 2017, we are trying to meet our past goal of having a full retreat in the spring and fall at Calipatria State Prison. If we want to continue to meet this goal, we need to continue to bring in new volunteers that have the same commitment and drive and want to make a difference in the lives of the men-in-blue and bring the love of Christ into their life 'one inmate at a time.'
We are trying to meet our commitment by having our volunteers make a commitment to be available through training and fellowship. This commitment is not always easy but knowing you are making a difference in others lives can only be the beginning.
This starts by you making the commitment and following through to bring others into the ministry. As the stewardship explanation tells us, time-talent-treasure are the key ways. In the commitment of at least one year, you will be able to see what that difference can be not only in the life of the men-in-blue but also in your own life.
When you finish going through a retreat there is a feeling you have gained as much or more than what the men-in-blue have gained by going through the retreat. That feeling is knowing you have made a difference and the proof will be in how the men-in-blue now look at themselves differently. To see them want to pick up the pieces of their life and to have them open their eyes and realize that they are 'not alone' in their life journey and our lord is walking beside them and loves them. To know you are a part of allowing them not only to learn to love themselves but learn to share that love with others within the institution. This is such a change within their life in such a short time that it becomes to them 'life changing'.
Ask yourself: are you sharing your gifts or can you do more and help this ministry in any of the three ways of stewardship? If you want to be a part of this ministry and are able to commit a year of your time, an application can be mailed (or e-mailed) to you (see phone # below).
Also, if you have questions -e-mail them (or call number below) and we will get back to you with answers.
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How To Get Involved
Kairos Inside Prison Ministry for Men (CIM) - Calipatria, California John Cook, San Bernardino Diocese Representative (760/574-5830) | jlcook@gmail.com |
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