Koinonia House National Ministries Inc

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 2024 was 77. Highlights for 2024 include testimonies from former inmates, a Passover Seder, quarterly School of Prayer teaching, National Day of Prayer observance, and a special evening of worship with the Judson University Choir.

IN-PRISON MINISTRIES: In 2024, 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 49 visits with 24 men at the DuPage County Jail and several volunteers also made regular visits. Radical Time Out attendees signed Christmas cards for over 100 inmates, and staff responded to over 40 inmate letters. Highlights include conducting two-day Prayer Conferences in four IDOC facilities, a one-day Prayer Conference in Spanish at East Moline Correctional Center, providing communion elements for Dixon Correctional Center, 45 pairs of work boots for the field workers at Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, and participating in five IDOC Re-Entry Summits.

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 2024, KHM staff ministered to 46 individuals/families in formal and informal settings, provided financial assistance to 6 individuals, helped prepare 3 individuals for their incarceration, and provided encouragement and discipleship for 28 formerly-incarcerated individuals. KHM staff also spoke/taught at 20 services/events for 6 organizations, 8 churches, and 2 schools, and participated in 1 podcast. Weekly Bible studies were conducted for 5 women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration and/or interaction with the justice system. KHM staff and volunteers also distributed 1,026 copies of "Radical Redemption" to individuals in prisons and churches as part of our outreach ministry.

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 coordinates church volunteers to meet individuals upon release from incarceration, offering mentorship, church connection, and support through Radical Time Out. In 2024, KHM served four men facing significant reentry challenges.

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, 982 copies of KHM's book "Radical Prayer" were distributed in prisons and churches in 2024.