Darlene Stensby, Charis Board Spiritual Director, received horrifying news that her husband, Ken, died in a hiking accident. Ken was hiking in Yosemite National Park and went missing. After many hours of searching, his body was found by helicopter last night (Monday, May 6), and they are making arrangements to bring his body home. Darlene said his funeral will probably be in two weeks. Darlene is devastated and needs our prayers, with the loss of her loving husband and now reliving the death of her daughter over 20 years ago.
Charis family members, please be in prayer for God's peace and comforting touch during this very difficult time.
The purpose of Charis of Minnesota is to present God’s reconciling love in Jesus Christ to inmates in correctional institutions.
Charis is a non-denominational Christian ministry, made up of teams of laity and clergy who have experienced a Cursillo-type retreat (Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, Via de Cristo, Tres Dias, Unidos en Cristo or similar weekend). Team members are selected and trained under the guidance of Charis leadership and approved by correctional institutions.
Through a systematic, structured, Christ-centered program, the residents of correctional institutions are given the opportunity to experience spiritual renewal and to accept God’s call to live a life of Christian witness and service to one another during their stay in the institution and beyond.
Can’t work a weekend? You can still assist!
We have started a wekeend prayer vigil for those prayer warriors who may not be able to work a particular weekend. We really want our weekends bathed in prayer! We even offer tips on how to pray for the weekend! More info here...
Do you hear God calling you?
“For 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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
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.” Matthew 25:35, 36, 40
Do it for Jesus: Our service always starts with Jesus. Jesus is in us begging to be shared. And Jesus is in prison waiting to be met.
Do it for the insiders: Many need to meet Jesus. All need to meet outsiders who care. Through our weekends the insiders discover that they are loved unconditionally by God.
Do it for yourself: We all need to meet Jesus over and over again. Sometimes He seems a long way away from our everyday life. On a Charis weekend He always comes close. Leave each weekend empowered by the conviction that you serve a living God.