REC (Residents Encounter Christ) is an inter-denominational Christian ministry to prisoners.  It is a variation of Cursillo and Emmaus, modified for the prison environment.  Although Roman Catholic in its roots, REC is ecumenical in its scope.

 

The word "encounter" is exactly what happens during the three-day REC experience.  A team of about thirty Christian men and women from different denominational backgrounds, both lay and clergy, enter the prison to share three days of Christian community.  After the initial REC Walk is held at a prison, monthly follow-up meetings are held to encourage and support the residents in their spiritual growth and Christian community.

 

The REC program began in the late 1960s in a county jail in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where three Franciscan priests offered a retreat for inmates.  This so renewed their spirits that they decided it could be adapted for prisoners who made Jesus' list of "the least of these."  The idea of the REC spiritual retreat (called a "walk") inside prison was an instant success and it rapidly spread across the United States.  The first REC weekend in Kentucky took place at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women in Pee Wee Valley in August of 1986.

 

Bluegrass REC was formed in 1992 and incorporated as a non-profit in 2000.  In October of 1992, an Executive Steering Committee was formed.  From this came the Bluegrass Residents Encounter Christ's first Board of Directors, who drew equal numbers from the Lexington Emmaus and Cursillo communities.  Terms of service were staggered to assure that no more than a third of the Board rotated off each year.  Bylaws were drafted by the Board under the leadership of Steve Whyte in 1994.

 

Since then, Bluegrass REC has hosted REC Walks across Kentucky, including the Atwood Federal Camp in Lexington, Manchester Federal Prison in Clay County, Lee Adjustment Center in Beattyville, North Point Correctional Facility in Burgin, Federal Medical Correctional Facility and Blackburn Correctional Institute in Lexington.