 In 1983, a small group of men who had made a Walk or Cursillo launched this highly effective ministry when they decided to take the basic Walk program to the inmates at the penitentiary. Cursillistas from Montana joined Pilgrims from Spokane and Walla Walla in going behind prison walls and using the basic Walk program to evangelize the inmates. While it is not possible to have cloistered weekends as in our experience, our familiar pattern of 15 talks has been highly successful in reaching inmates. Palanca, while not personal because of prison rules, remains important as it sends the message that brothers and sisters in the world outside care about these men and are praying for them.
At a recent meeting with the superintendent of the prison we were told that he valued the Walk With Christ/Cursillo program because he could see the changes it made in the lives of those who attended. His observations are not based on a few Walks, nor on small numbers of pilgrims. In January, the 40th weekend was completed. Walk #41 was on June 10-13, Walk #42 is scheduled for Sept. 9-12, and #43 for Jan. 14-17, 2000. At our recent Walk held in medium security, 190 inmates of a total population of about 900 - almost one-fifth of the men in the unit - signed up to attend. We were only cleared for 80 to attend so many were disappointed. At Closura, we handed out 62 crosses with each recipient responding to "Christ is counting on you" with "and I am counting on Him." We could hold twice as many weekend Walks if we had the personnel.
We are also committed to monthly Ultreyas preceded by walking through the tiers, and meeting men in their "houses." The first Saturday of each month, an Ultreya is held in maximum security, and the second Saturday in medium security. We are currently hoping to be able to start the program in minimum security but need more dedicated volunteers.
We have witnessed many genuine conversions over the past 15 years. We frequently hear an inmate give thanks for being sent to prison because that is where he met Christ and got his life turned around. It once was a joke that the only inmates who came to chapel were the weird types and those who thought it might help them get an early release if they had a show of religion. Now, things have changed. We now have the tough ones - the bikers, murderers and those convicted of the worst of crimes - experiencing the forgiveness and cleansing that only surrender to Christ can bring. These "toughs" become as gentle as lambs, and the change is causing them to share with their "cellies" what Christ has done for them.
Matthew 9:37 says "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." The operative word is pray! All of us can pray for revival to come to the prisons. Some of us can be involved as volunteers. If you would try to test the waters, come with us on a weekend and join with the approximately 50 men from Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon who serve as their schedules allow. We also need clergy who would agree to be spiritual leaders at least once per year.
[This material was adapted from an article by Frank Carlile which was published in the TWWC Rooster Tales #119, March 22, 1999]
For information call:
Spokane
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Jim Witherspoon
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(509) 466-8604
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Wenatchee
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Chris Kirshoffer
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Walla Walla
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Frank Carlile
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(509) 525-7756
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More information about the prison Cursillo movement (including scheduled weekends) at:
 (http://www.kairosprisonministry.org)
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Palanca is needed!
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HALLELUJAH!
LIVES ARE BEING CHANGED FOR ETERNITY!
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Matthew 25
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
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