Adult Ministries
Prison Ministry
Village Chapel UMC is committed to and actively engaged in prison ministry. Matthew 25:36 states “I was in prison and you visited me.” This indicates that we are to show compassion for our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated. Currently, the following prison ministries are being conducted:
- Kairos Ministry www.kairosprisonministry.org
- Kairos-Torch Ministry
- One Community Ministry
Kairos is a 3 ½ day short course in Christianity conducted within the prison. The purpose of Kairos is to help build and nurture strong Christian communities among the residents of the correctional institutions. Currently Village Chapel is participating at Hocking Correctional, Marion Correctional, Ross Correctional and Southern Ohio (Lucasville) Correctional.
Kairon-Torch is similar to the Kairos program and is conducted in juvenile correctional institutions. There is an additional feature that includes a weekly one-on-one mentoring with one of the youth for a 6-month period, following the weekend. Currently, we are participating at Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility.
Village Chapel is a covenantal church with Community United Methodist Church in Circleville forming One Community Ministry. The mission of One Community Ministry is to advance the personal journey and walk with Christ of ex-offenders in transition and people who are in prison, and to help them have positive interactions with others in prison, the church, their families, and the community at large. Currently, there are 2 weekly Bible studies being conducted at Ross Correctional. We are also involved with assisting in the re-entry process of ex-offenders. We conduct a weekly worship service in Circleville. We also provide Christmas cards for incarcerated individuals and Christmas gifts for children of those incarcerated.
How can you help?
- Serve on a Kairos or Torch team (inside a correctional institution).
- Serve on a kitchen team assisting with meal preparation for an inside team (outside of the correctional institution).
- Assist with (or lead) the Saturday evening worship service in Circleville.
- Bake cookies for use with the Kairos and Torch programs.
- Be available to assist with ex-offenders returning to society (helping them to find housing, jobs, clothing or other needs). Assist with planning of Bible study programs used within the prison.
- Provide financial assistance for any of the programs listed above.
- Provide Christmas cards for inmates.
- Provide Christmas gifts for children of inmates.
For additional information, visit www.kairosprisonministry.org or contact:
Jim Mathers
jmathers@columbus.rr.com