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The History of Kairos of Canada Prison Ministries
After attending many weekends in nearby U.S. prisons and several Kairos Summer Conferences, Bonnie and I felt we were being led to explore the development of the Kairos prison ministries in Canada. We met with Don and Anne Healy and together we developed a list of possible board members and agreed to begin the process of incorporation. The first Board Meeting was held in Diane Jackson’s basement with Paul Kannigeiter, Dianne, Art Vankrimpen, Cecil Hall, Bonnie and Keith Vrieswyk, Owen Mangan and Don and Anne Healey were in attendance. We elected officers, I was chosen as Chair, Don was Vice Chair, Paul was elected as treasurer, and Anne Healey was chosen as secretary.
We agreed to approach more possible board members and to begin the process of gaining legal and charitable status with the help of lawyer Bert Bakker. I shared the news of a visit I had with Chaplain Rod Carter explaining how he seemed very supportive of the Kairos concept for Canadian prisons. He had suggested that a brand new facility in the Bracebridge area (Fenbrook) might be the ideal place to begin Kairos. He had agreed to contact the Chaplains assigned to the prison to recommend the Ministry to them.
So it began. No funds, Diane’s gift of her basement, Art’s gift of his office equipment, several bright eyed volunteers, a dream and many prayers. The following weeks included meetings with Bert, Anne and I. With Anne a typist we put together articles of incorporation for Kairos prison ministries commonly known as Kairos Canada. We chose the name Ministries because Bert advised us that he singular Ministry was reserved for various agencies of the crown. Ministries worked well for us because it left open the possibility of developing Kairos Outside and Kairos Torch Ministries when we felt God’s leading to develop these.
We continued our exploration of Fenbrook as the site of Kairos#1 in Canada. Contact was made with Chaplains Arne Main and Father Jim MacDonald. A facility agreement was presented to Warden Michael Provan. Arrangements for supervisory help from Kairos National US were made resulting in Skip Campbell{his first experience as an employee of Kairos National} and Ike Griffin agreeing to support our effort. Don Healey was selected to be the Rector of Kairos #1, I was chosen as Advising Rector and Cecil Hall as observing Rector in preparation fo Fenbrook #2. On April 29 1999, Fenbrook #1 began with 24 candidates. (many of whom continue to have there live affected by that Kairos weekend) Praise be to God!!
Keith Vrieswyk
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