AC Minutes

KAIROS ADVISORY COUNCIL NORTHEAST CORRECTIONAL COMPLEX

NOVEMBER  MINUTES (November 15th, 2025)

Attending: 

Tom Egan, Greg Watlington, Rob Roberts (phone), Jim Catt, Scott Hale, George Fulwider, Jared Malone, Harry Ennis, Huge Johnson, Travis Lang

Excused: 

Michael Turley, Dean Yates, Elgin Gonce, Ricky Poore

Call to Order

Scott opened the meeting at 9:18 AM.

Opening Prayer

Jim provided an opening prayer for our meeting. 

Approval of October 2025 Minutes

Tom previously distributed draft minutes of the October 2025 Advisory Council meeting for review.  Tom asked if anyone had any issues with these draft minutes.  No issues were raised and Tom asked for a motion to accept the draft minutes. Jim made the motion and Greg 2nd.   Motion passed without exception.

Financial Report

George reported he received a $500 check from Financial Frank Crest but did not know that individual and wanted to send a thank you note. He was given the details he needed.   Harry indicated that his records show that we have a balance of $12,230.42 in our account with the State.  This does not include the estimated $2,000 we plan to spend on the Christmas party in December which will result in a balance going into 2026 of over $10,000, which is enough to pay for one weekend.    

Spiritual Director Devotion

Michael was excused so there was no devotion given at our meeting. 

Kairos Ongoing Ministry

There was a meeting with Pastor David and others from Altar Fellowship Church to discuss Kairos 45 and our upcoming weekend in April, Kairos 46.  There have been some miscommunications and follow up issues with Altar Fellowship on Kairos 45 but they are still committed to being involved with our weekends.  The Church already does a letter writing prison ministry in place which has been very successful and Kairos would be a natural extension to what they already do.  They stand by their commitment they made to us on Kairos 45 that they would cover the difference between our team fees and expenses.  For that weekend, we collected $1,800 and spent $7,000.  They want to be represented on our advisory council and will provide financial support and volunteers for future weekends.  Pastor David attended the closing ceremonies for Kairos 45 and was very excited at what he witnessed.  The Council felt this will be a very good relationship for us but we need to ensure there is an understanding on how our weekends are run and what rules need to be in place to meet KPMI and TDOC standards.  We do not have a lot of flexibility here.  Greg will work on incorporating them into his Kairos 46 plan and will document how the relationship with Altar Fellowship will operate.  We will also need to determine the financial impact this will have on the weekend and the level of donation we will now recommend from each of our team members. 

NECX Chaplin’s office conducted a 5 day revival program again in early November which is now becoming a regular event for the institution.  They once again asked for our support.  We provided food and fellowship for one of the days which was well received and a very worthwhile event for the residents. 

Communications Coordinator

Jared asked that as we continue to develop Kairos outreach with other churches, we need to make sure he is involved with his role of Communications Coordinator.  Everyone agreed this is important. 

 Kairos Outside

Scott noted that 18 guests successfully completed their Kairos Outside weekend.  It was a fabulous success.  George and Scott were there to help support the weekend activities.  Scott provided Resy’s office with KO brochures and an announcement was made at our prayer and share meeting on Tuesday that they are available to the residents. 

Emmaus Liaison

Greg mentioned that he has been involved with the Road to Emmaus group in Kingsport.  They recently completed their weekend and he feels there were 3 or 4 good leads for our ministry from this weekend.  This was a successful weekend for both Kairos and Emmaus.  He also talked with others on the Emmaus walk who had worked Kairos in the past and he is hopeful he convinced a few of them to return.  We are also getting involved in the Emmaus Community in Johnson City and have contacts to get us entre into their weekends.

NECX Liaison Report

Jim highlighted that we are on the NECX calendar for December 2^nd for our Christmas Party in general population and December 9^th for our Christmas party in the Annex.  We will get the number of invitees from Joe in Resy’s office.    

Regulations from NECX have been reconfirmed and strengthened as to what we are able to bring inside the institution and what we can take out.  Volunteers can only take one bible with them along with a class lesson plan.  Everything else that goes inside must go through Resy’s office.  We cannot take anything out that we got from a resident or anything that we did not take inside with us.  This has always been the case but it is once again being emphasized, as there have been issues. 

Jim also informed the Council on guidelines from NECX Administration outlining the boundaries of communications and relationships we can maintain with the residents. We are not allowed to be on anyone’s visitation list.  We cannot communicate with the family or friends of residents to exchange any information with the men inside.  We cannot take anything outside to give to a relative or friend of a resident.  Our purpose on Kairos is not to develop an individual relationship with the men but to bring Christ with us to enhance their faith journey.  We are there to promote prayer and share activities after their weekend and bring them closer to Christ.

Data Coordinator

Rob could not be at the meeting but did attend via phone.   

Fundraising – vacant

Old Business

Kairos 46 – Greg

Greg noted that Travis will be the weekend coordinator and Robert Frederickson will be the Agape Coordinator.  Greg has reserved the cabin for the weekend.  Harry will be the Observing Leader and will go to AKT in January with Greg. 

Fundraising – vacant

One day retreat  

This event is planned for February 2026.  George indicated he would coordinate the lunch.  Tom and Hugh said they would help but running this one day event is a good training tool and something that should be done by someone who is new as it is not hard or complicated. 

2026 AC Election

Existing AC members maintained their same roles for 2026.  New AC members assumed the following roles:  Hugh Johnson, Treasurer: Travis Lane, Data Coordinator: Shawn Lilly, Fundraising. 

The following is our 2026 Council. All Council members present signed the 2026 KPMI Affiliation Agreement and Scott is following up with those members not present to have them sign. 

This will be completed and submitted to State before December 1^st.

New Business

No new business

Prayer Requests

• Kairos 46
• Scott wanted prayers for Andre who is having financial and housing issues.
• Travis wanted us to pray for his mother for her surgery.
• Recovery for Rob and Jim for medical issues they are having.
• Prayers for medical issues for Harry.
• Christmas Parties at NECX in December.

Closing Prayer

Scott closed our meeting with a prayer focusing on our prayer requests. 

Closing

Scott ended the meeting at 11:22 AM 

Next Meeting

The next AC meeting is January 17^th, 2026.  There is no meeting in December. 

Respectively submitted,

Tom Egan, Secretary

Tom