Experiencing God's Love

Epiphany Ministries is an interdenominational Christian ministry for youth in Texas correctional institutions. Three-day Epiphany weekends offer 36 male residents ages 13-17 the opportunity to experience God’s love.

Since 2007, Sister Kathleen Eggering has initiated and trained volunteers while participating in 12 Epiphany retreats at Krier Juvenile Correctional Treatment Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Sister Kathleen tells volunteers, “You are going to love my boys,” and she is right. It is hard not to feel God’s love for the 17-year-old who stole a car to get money for his three children…or the 16-year-old from a family of nine, six of whom have been jailed.

Weekends begin as team members personally welcome each boy. Special activities include a birthday party and fiesta. Many boys have never celebrated a birthday. It’s an awesome sight to see a 16-year old get excited over a cake decorated with his name and a bag of gifts. Celebrations remind them they are loved. A paper prayer chain with the names of hundreds of individuals praying for them is another sign of love.

Weekends include skits, scripture, prayer, songs of praise and talks followed by table discussions experienced in “families.” For many, family prayer and meals are something new. Forgiveness talks and a service allow the boys to demonstrate their desire to forgive.

The joy experienced by volunteer team members and retreatants is obvious as the boys delight in home-cooked food, personal attention and celebrations and share their personal experiences.

Weekends conclude with a “hug line” as boys receive God’s love from each adult and are sent out to share God’s love.

Who celebrates your birthday with you? Who makes your favorite homemade meal? To whom can you say “I love you?”

Story by Sister Carla Lusch, a retreat volunteer.
Photos courtesy of Krier Juvenile Correctional Treatment Center, San Antonio, TX.