Volunteers minister to those incarcerated and those recently released, providing weekly Bible studies in both men's and women's prisons, and a spiritual weekend called Kairos.  Email Doug Chapman or Beth Statesir to see how you can get involved.

Our newest prison ministry involves meeting those just released from prison at the Humble bus station on Tuesday - Thursday at lunch time. We offer them a change of clothes and shoes, a warm meal, prayer, and information about the love of Jesus before they continue on their way. Donations of the following items are appreciated for this ministry: women's new or gently worn clothing size 10 and up; packages of new undergarments (size 8-9); socks, flip flops or crocs; gift cards for inexpensive restaurants; and bottled water or soda. Donations may be left at Society of St. Stephen (please mark for Bus Ministry). Contact Beth Whittier if you would like to help with this ministry.

Reaching Broken Lives for Christ
Through Restorative Justice, KUMC ministers to those in prisons. We provide weekly Bible studies in both men's and women's prisons. Many of our congregation are involved in the Kairos prison ministry, which provides a spiritual weekend for prisoners. Email Rev. Judy Tefteller, Doug Chapman or Cheryl Patrick to see how you can get involved.
 

Testimonies from Kairos
Kairos brings the good news of Christ to men inside prison walls. Check out these testimonies from our past Kairos events if you want to hear some encouraging words about how God works to change lives through us when we make the commitment to be the hands and feet of Christ.
 

Bake Cookies for Kairos
Take a dozen cookies, spread generously with unconditional Agape love, sprinkle lavishly with the Holy Spirit and what do you get ?... A MIRACLE !

• What can open doors to a prison ?..... A Kairos Cookie.
• What can soften the hearts of wardens and guards ?.... A Kairos cookie.
• What can make a guard wake up at 3am and drive 75 miles to volunteer to work for a spiritual retreat weekend?...A Kairos cookie.
• What can warm the hearts of inmates who feel unloved, isolated and forgotten ?... A Kairos cookie.
• What can bring joy to inmates in a maximum security prison at 6 o'clock in the morning ?... A Kairos cookie.
• What can make gang members tear down the walls of unforgiveness and years of animosity ?... A Kairos cookie.
• What can bring a smile to the face of a hardened criminal ? ... A Kairos cookie.
• What can make an inmate want to give cookies to someone they need to forgive, or need to seek forgiveness from someone within the walls of their prison ?... A Kairos cookie.
• What can make the kitchen crew laugh with joy as they bake 300 dozen cookies in two days because everyone at Polunsky needs a dozen?...A Kairos cookie.
• What can end a 12 day hunger strike on death row ?... A KAIROS COOKIE, God's Love and the Holy Spirit.

Kairos Cookie Guidelines - Instructions for baking cookies for KUMC's Kairos Prison Ministry.

Cookie Preparation
The types of cookies that are generally acceptable are: Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, *Chocolate Chip, Ginger and Sugar. Home made, store bought refrigerated/frozen cookie dough or bakery purchased are fine. They really do prefer home- baked though. Cookies should be between 2 inches and 2-1/2 inches in diameter and not more than 1/2 inch thick. It is very important NOT to use icing, sugar or any other type of coating on the outside of the cookie. Do not add any kind of fruit(NO raisins) or nuts to the cookies.

The Key Ingredient: Prayer
Pray individually or as a family over the ingredients before and during mixing/ preparation.
Pray over the cookies as you drop them onto the cookie sheets and bake them.
Ask God to use your cookies as a source of His love to shine on the prisoners and staff on the Kairos weekend.
Pray that each cookie brings the inmate, officer or warden who eats it closer to God. We want every person to become part of the family of God.

Packing the Cookies
Bag thoroughly cooled cookies in a quart sized Zip Lock bag( NO slide zipper bags please!) , a dozen cookies to a bag. Label each bag with the cookie type inside. Freeze all cookies if not using within 3 days.

Getting the Cookies to the Prison
If you are not working on the team, please deliver the cookies to a team member before the start of the weekend, so they can take them to the prison. We will collect them from you at church or we can come to your home to pick them up. Thank you for your spirit of generosity and outreach to those who are lost and lonely. Lynn Harper 281-359-5535 pharper5@embarqmail.com