Koinonia House Ministries

COOK COUNTY JAIL (CCJ): In 2023, our first year of full-time CCJ ministry, a team of 28 volunteers were trained and deployed to deliver four weekly worship services impacting 9 tiers of incarcerated men and women. KHM, in partnership with College Church of Wheaton, provided 2,500 Christmas gift bags for the incarcerated as well as 79 special gift bags for correctional staff. KHM also provided three special meals for correctional staff in the divisions where we regularly serve. When we were on site, officers began to reach out to our team with specific prayer requests. After attending our services, inmates began praying for other inmates in their dorm and they grew in a desire to pray and care for their children, evidenced by what they would share in small groups.

IN-PRISON MINISTRIES: In 2023, KHM's ministry to the incarcerated for the most part was within the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and DuPage County Jail. The CEO made 88 visits with 33 men at the DuPage County Jail, plus several volunteers also made regular visits there. Radical Time Out attendees signed Christmas cards for 110 inmates, and staff responded to over 40 inmate letters. Highlights include conducting six Prayer Conferences in prisons, including three new facilities in Mississippi, and 30 other services in prisons in Illinois, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Another highlight is that after a period of introduction and training, a local Wheaton church assumed full responsibility for conducting bi-weekly services at Stateville Correctional Center's Minimum Security Unit.

RADICAL TIME OUT (RTO): A weekly opportunity to experience the love of Christ in action--regardless of color, class, culture, crisis, or crime. RTO is a safe and encouraging community of family members of incarcerated individuals, volunteers, former inmates, those anticipating entering a correctional facility, and anyone interested in learning more about KHM. Together we share an evening of fellowship, prayer, testimonies, Bible teaching, and once a month we also share a meal. Average weekly attendance in 2023 was 89. Highlights for 2023 include testimonies from former inmates, a Passover Seder, quarterly School of Prayer teaching, and a special evening of worship with a praise dance team.

BUILDING BRIDGES, RESTORING HOPE: KHM seeks to build bridges and restore hope for those in prison, those returning home, and their families. Expenses cover activities such as helping families of incarcerated individuals, educating the public on the needs of people returning to society from prison, and ministering to donor families. In 2023, KHM staff ministered to 28 individuals/families in formal and informal settings, provided financial assistance to 6 individuals, helped prepare 2 individuals for their incarceration, and provided encouragement and discipleship for 19 formerly-incarcerated individuals. KHM staff also spoke/taught at 28 services/events in 12 churches, 1 high school, 1 college, 8 organizations, and participated in 1 podcast and radio program. Two weekly Bible studies were conducted for 4 women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration and/or interaction with the justice system. In addition, 1,079 copies of KHM's "Radical Redemption" were distributed to 11 correctional facilities, 2 organizations, 4 churches and 27 individuals.

KOINONIA HOUSE OF WHEATON: KHM provided financial assistance for operating expenses to its affiliate, Koinonia House of Wheaton (KHW). Although KHW temporarily suspended its residential ministry to men in 2020, it continues to provide housing for two females who have been incarcerated, and is used for weekly Bible studies with family members of incarcerated loved ones.

MEET ME AT THE GATE: KHM organizes a small group of volunteers from local churches to meet believers in Christ "at the gate" upon their release from incarceration. By connecting at this important juncture, KHM helps facilitate a connection with a church community, a mentor, and encourages attendance at Radical Time Out. Highlights for 2023 include connecting one man with a local church upon his release, helping one woman secure employment, working with another another organization interested in meeting someone at the prison gate, and helping someone reenter society after 47 consecutive years of incarceration.

RADICAL PRAYER INITIATIVE: Persistent and powerful prayer is our ministry. We desire for all believers (both incarcerated and not) to come into a deeper and richer relationship with God our Father, as exemplified by His Son Jesus Christ, through prayer that is empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:1-13). As we grow in understanding of God's radical love for us, we will then grow in radical love for others, including those who are incarcerated, in crisis, and/or their family members. Our board of trustees holds a monthly prayer conference call as well as regularly meeting in groups of two or three to bring ministry-related requests and praises before our Heavenly Father. A group of fathers gathers each Wednesday (in person and via teleconferencing) to pray for their children, and prayer is an integral part of Radical Time Out. In addition, 1,115 copies of KHM's book "Radical Prayer" were distributed to 23 individuals in the "free world," 2 organizations, 4 churches and 8 correctional facilities.