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Kairos spreads Christianity inside prison
By The Birmingham News
Published: 04/28/2006

Florence, AL - Kairos, a prison ministry program, recently sought to connect about 40 Alabama convicts to the outside world - and Christ - with the help fried chicken, baked cookies, Bible study, and of letters from children.

"I came to prison on a drug charge," said George Costella, a convicted drug trafficker taking part in the spiritual retreat led by volunteers. "I have a new addiction and this one's not illegal. My new addiction is Jesus."

While jailhouse conversions often are met with skepticism, and inmates know that, many profess to the benefits of being blessed.

"It's helped me survive, and it's helped me help other people," said James Barnett, serving 20 years for killing his ex-wife.

The first Kairos was held in Alabama in 1982. During the recent retreat at Elmore Correctional Facility at Speigner, about three dozen church members from various congregations and denominations counseled, fed, prayed and celebrated the spiritual life with inmates. It affected the volunteers, too.

"I've got a whole new outlook," said Terry Walker of ClearBranch United Methodist Church in Argo. "It's changed our lives."

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