Kairos Prison Ministry is seeking volunteers for its next weekend mission in October at the St. Marys Correctional Center. Here participants are in a past program at the correctional center. (Photo provided)

ST. MARYS — A local chapter of an international prison ministry is looking for men to volunteer for its faith-based program at the St. Marys Correctional Center.

Training begins on Thursday for the Kairos Prison Ministry’s Fall Program at the correctional center that will be held Oct. 9-12, Randy Wilson, chairman of the local advisory council, said.

“We’re looking for men who want to be on our team,” he said.

Kairos Prison Ministry International is an interdenominational Christian ministry where volunteer men and women counsel prisoners and their families in the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, according to Wilson.

Though Christian in nature, a religious affiliation isn’t necessary.

“I think it’s one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done,” said Dr. Steve Hanna, a volunteer for Kairos.

Hanna will lead the spring program at the correctional center, Wilson said.

Thursday’s session begins six weeks of training for the volunteers, he said. Sessions are held at 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Crossroads Methodist Church on Old St. Marys Pike, Wilson said.

“We like to have at least 21 volunteers,” he said.

Topics in the training sessions and the prison program include spiritual well being, individual and group activities and talks, meditations and discussions on numerous topics about having a relationship with Christ, Wilson said.

Those who would like to participate, but not as prison volunteers, can make cookies and pray for the participants, he said.

To volunteer, call Wilson for more information at 740-525-4039.

Kairos Prison Ministry is in 39 states and nine countries, Wilson said. Locally, the program this October will hold its 31st weekend in about 20 years and has reached more than 1,000 men, he said.

“I’m a big supporter of the program,” said Patrick Mirandy, former warden of the St. Marys Correctional Center who is now chief of staff of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Mirandy was warden at the facility from 2012 to 2018.

“This program has changed the behavior culture since its implementation,” Mirandy said. “There have been inmates that had disciplinary issues who now lead groups, attend church or who have just decided to be a better person. (Correctional center) staff has always been receptive to the KAIROS community coming into the facility and offering guidance to the inmate population.”