ANGOLA, La. (WordNews.org) Feb. 3, 2018 – The first Kairos Inside Weekend will be held for 10 death row inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola on Feb. 5-7.

Kairos Prison Ministry International Inc. has been active at Angola for a quarter of a century. Kairos Inside is a ministry program whose mission is to develop a Christian community inside the prison.

Now the Louisiana Department of Corrections has made the decision to allow the program to be conducted for the death row inmates at Angola. Ten death row inmates will participate in the program that includes a series of talks, prayer and chapel meditations with the aim of creating or continuing a desire for spiritual growth.

“We have seen great impact in Louisiana State facilities where Kairos programs have been implemented, and this has been especially true for Angola,” said Secretary James M. Le Blanc of the Louisiana Department of Corrections. “We are pleased to open the program now to the inmates on death row at Angola and look forward to continued improvement in morale and the prison environment as a result.”

Kairos said the result of the ministry weekend will be an improvement in prison living environment and personal transformations. The weekend will be followed up with Continuing Ministry of Reunions and Prayer and Share groups which provides an authentic and vital Christian community for accountability and encouragement.

Kairos has participated in prison ministry at other death row facilities across the U.S. This first Weekend for 10 of the death row inmates at Angola will be led by a team of experienced Kairos volunteers. Also in attendance will be Chaplain Gary Sumrall who has seen the dramatic impact of Kairos in Angola first-hand.

“Our volunteers share the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with the program Participants,” said Kairos CEO Evelyn Lemly. “They come together to bond for many weeks before a Weekend occurs; they are then able to concentrate on conducting the program so that it might touch an inmate’s heart and transform their life. We believe that no person is beyond the reach of God’s power. We look forward to this opportunity and want to thank Secretary Le Blanc, as well as Warden Vannoy and Chaplain Sumrall for their support.”