Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries
of the Oklahoma United NON-PROFIT ORG.
Methodist Conference U.S. POSTAGE PAID
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
1501 NW 24th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73106 PERMIT NO. 1045
405/530-2015-Rev. Dr. Stan Basler, Director
E-mail: sbasler@okumc.org
405/530-2014 -Lesa Rhoads, Asst. Director-Admin
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
THE NEW GATE V OLU ME 1 2 , I S S U E 3
W I NTER 2 0 1 1
E-mail: lrhoads@okumc.org
Fax—405/525-4164
http://www.cjamm.org
From the Director... I N S I DE TH I S I S S U E:
Tulsa Redemption 2
Praise God, we begin 2011 with all CJAMM ministries solvent. Unfortunately all of our
Calendar of Events 2011 savings had to be liquidated to achieve that solvency. Extraordinary generosity also helped us get Tulsa Exodus House 2
there. One person sent in a donation of $10,000. A retired clergy person and spouse donated $5,000.
Volunteer Luncheon March 19 Life Gate Homes 2
First UMC, OKC 11am-1:30 pm The United Methodist Church of Shattuck, Oklahoma donated nearly $6,000 to New Day Camp.
Both Chapel Hill UMC of OKC and New Covenant UMC in Edmond hosted our Exodus House OKC Redemption 3
New Day Camp I June 13-17
residents in worship and Sunday school hour presentations. Both churches included Exodus House in
Camp Cross Point special offerings this fall. An individual donor who lives outside Oklahoma donated $5,000 for 2011 Lawton Redemption 3
New Day Camp. Unfortunately we did not receive the budgeted apportionment payout of 92%. It was
New Day Camp II July 18-22 the lowest apportionment payout while I have served as Director. OKC Exodus House 4
Camp Cross Point CJAMM is committed to solvency for 2011 and replenishing our savings. Therefore, we Contact Information 4
have cut the staff responsibilities and funding for publicity and fundraising that were being done by
Rev. Becky Baxter-Ballou. Funding for staff positions at Penn Ave Redemption UMC has been cut in Calendar of Events 4
half. New Day Camp volunteers are being asked to pay part of their camp expenses. We have never
done this before and it was a difficult decision. However, there are a couple of sources of funds we
S PE CIAL POIN TS OF
believe will help us this year that were not available to us last year.
INTE RE ST
On the bright side, OCU students are doing the ministry with children and youth at Penn
THE NEW GATE Ave Redemption Church as volunteers. This congregation paid its starred apportionment items in
Tulsa Redemption offers
If you would rather receive the New Gate 2010! I am so proud. We are nearing the day when this congregation of the incarcerated, formerly
new DOC credit class.
via email, please send your email address incarcerated, their families and never incarcerated will be able to be a free-standing church!
to lrhoads@okumc.org. The next issue Rev. Tony Zahn and I have spent considerable time this fall as members of a task force that Tulsa Exodus House
Exodus House would like to thank all those who made Christmas 2010 a wonderful event for our
will arrive in your In-box as a PDF file. is establishing a new female offender diversion program for the Oklahoma City area. It has the residents’ spirits are not
residents. A special thanks to Christmas Grace and the OCU Students for all their gifts and to the many dampened by record
Thank you. support of the Oklahoma County DA’s office and DOC. It will target women with children, to keep
apartment sponsors who gave so graciously. Also to all those who are too snow fall.
them out of prison. This is an exciting collaborative effort.
many to name. It is your kindness and continued support that makes it
possible for our residents to feel so loved and cared for through what is It is a challenging time for Ardmore Redemption Church. Warren Memorial UMC decided
CJAMM welcomes Life
for many their first Christmas out of prison. What a blessing it is to see
to end its role as host of this church at the end of 2010. Ardmore First has agreed to host it for 90
Gate Homes.
days and gave us a $500 grant. Sam and Louise Gaddis of that church are bravely moving forward in
the joy in their faces and to experience the holidays with them.
lay leadership. Rev. Paul McDowell of Kingston UMC is serving as volunteer pastor. Keep this South District UMW has
We would also like to thank Boyce Bowden who came and took
ministry in your prayers. Also remember Rev. Everisto Chikanga who pastored this church on a adopted CJAMM as their
pictures of our Christmas party. We all enjoyed the time we spent with
Volunteer recruitment has begun for volunteer basis for over 7 years. He and his family are returning to their native Zimbabwe. district mission outreach
him.
New Day Camp 2011. The dates for This has been a very good year for us and we would like to thank Dr. Laura Pitman, Deputy Director of Female Offenders and volunteers of DOC will be the in 2011.
the camps are listed above. If you Jackie Kiser and Church of the Servant for their contributions to our bus fund. Due to their generosity, our speaker at the annual CJAMM Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. It will be held on March 19 at First
would like to volunteer and did not UMC of Oklahoma City. Lawton welcomes “The
residents are now able to obtain bus passes and immediately look for employment upon arriving. In the past
Bridge” transitional
receive your recruitment response this has been an obstacle for us and has been a need we have had a desire to fill. Thank you to all of you who I continue to pray daily for all our staff and volunteers that ―God will help us to discern living and treatment on
form, please call Lesa Rhoads at have made it possible to meet this need and all your continued support. God’s will minute by minute as we relate to others, that we will be effective in ministry and will
February 1
405/530-2014. We would like to have We continue to keep our apartments full through applications. We have had 7 residents who have gotten make disciples and create communities of faith.‖
our staff in place as soon as possible. their driver’s licenses reinstated and have graduated in the last 6-9 months. Volunteer Appreciation
If you are unable to volunteer your We would like to thank all of those who have asked for us to do speak outs: Edmond UMC, Chapel Hill, Luncheon to be held on
Shalom,
time, please consider sending in a New Covenant, Connect UMC. Also, those confirmation classes who have come for tours of the Exodus March 19, 2011 at First
monetary donation. Both camps cost House. We are always available and enjoy coming out to speak about what we do and who we are. Thank Stan Basler UMC—OKC
nearly $75,000 last summer. Send you for your interest, your contributions and your heart for our ministry.
We continue to need all household goods and furniture. We are always in need of twin beds, TVs, convertor OKC Exodus Houses
donations to: New Day Camp, 1501 receives many Christmas
NW 24th Street, OKC 73106. You boxes, sheets, towels and hygiene items for our new residents.
We also encourage Sunday school classes to sponsor an apartment blessings
will be blessed!
or even a new resident by taking them out for dinner, shopping for an
outfit, or shopping for groceries when they arrive. There are many
ways to serve. Please contact Doyle & Michelle Hines for furniture
donations (405) 417-1189 and Robin Wertz (405) 525-2300 for tours,
speak outs or sponsoring a resident. God Bless You!!
THE NEW GATE P AG E 2 THE NEW GATE P AG E 3
Greetings from Tulsa! wonderful classes. Our newest class, she means to this ministry. She is We would like to welcome our newest involved in the district and the community. you!
It has been extremely enjoyable sharing our Victims Impact, is a DOC credit class, and currently leading a class on ―Grief in volunteers: Carol Gordon, Jackie Keyser, Rev. Thank you South District UMW presidents Prison ministry is not always the easiest
ministry with the various district leadership we have received word that our Anger our Lives‖, and preaches at Redemption Chester Phyffer and Elaine Reed. We are so and ladies for your interest and all the calls of ministries to be part of. I do believe it is
workshops this January. It is wonderful to Management class – ―Cage the Rage‖ - will services when needed. blessed to have them with us! Carol is teaching we have had! the most rewarding. The lives given to
be for credit as well. We are all very ex- a Marriage Coaching class, Jackie is teaching a Part of the fulfillment of the vision for Christ, the changed hearts, the ―light bulb‖
see so many people of all ages interested in It is a privilege to serve with you.
cited that Bill and Connie Sperry will be parenting class and Elaine is helping with our Redemption Church as a free standing coming on in those we
reaching out to those in transition. It is also Please keep me and my family in your Bible 101 class. Chester helps with the congregation is over 50% of our church minister to gives real
encouraging to learn about all the ministry returning to teach Bible Study on Sundays. prayers! Thanks and God bless. Redemption Kids and will soon be teaching a structure/committee members are ex- purpose and meaning
that's going on in our conference. class. Welcome to the Redemption family! offenders. We are extremely joyful at the to our lives. The heart
Once again, I'd like to say thanks to all We are thrilled to finally have two men with leadership development and disciple making of our volunteers is an
We've been blessed at Redemption with at- those who make our ministry possible. I'd —-Rev. Brantley Tillery servant hearts take the training to teach Thinking here are Redemption. Among this group awesome witness of
tendance averages this winter around especially like to single out Rev. Estelle for a Change for men. This has been an on-going many have become badged volunteers and Christ to those that are
130. We're still continuing to offer some Ray, our pastor of the Turley UMC, for all need for a while. Thank you, Dan Thayer and many are teaching and facilitating classes hurting. The churches and groups that
Steve Shanbour, for taking a week out of your on Thursday evening. give their generosity in time, prayers,
busy schedules to devote to this training. Thank The UMM continue to serve faithfully. supplies donated, talents shared and food
you for filling this long overdue need. They continue with outreach projects in the that nourishes both our bodies and our
We are excited that the South District UMW community as well as maintain our building. souls are blessings without measure.
Winter might renovation project in the kitchen and residents job hunting. Watch for these has adopted CJAMM as their district mission Thank you, gentlemen! Thank you so much ~ we simply could not
rear it’s ugly articles! outreach this year. Pastor Steve was the speaker The Church of the Servant Choir do it without you.
bathroom of the apartment they sponsor.
head here in at the President’s meeting in January. We were continues to bless our church with their ever
Special thanks to Rick Purdy for all his hard We are especially proud of our case manager
Tulsa, but it thankful that the ladies from our unit were able to faithful donations of coffee and cookies! Grace and Peace,
work in overseeing the project. Jeannine Bezotte, who is also a part time attend the meeting at McFarlin in Norman. It We so appreciate your continued support in Marcia Manning
can’t dampen student at TCC. Jeannine is interning at
the spirits of We are proud to be part of the Tulsa blesses us to see the ladies at Redemption be filling these much needed supplies. Thank
World’s series of articles concerning Boston Avenue UMC as part of a Social
our Exodus House residents. As a team, Work degree requirement. She is excited to
they are unstoppable! Shoveling snow ―Women and Re-entry‖ which runs through
February. We would like to thank Ginnie be in a program that helps her look at her
and helping those who are stuck are just work from the vantage point of the
a few things our residents are eager to Graham, the reporter who gave up so much Greetings from the Lawton Aldersgate
of her time to feature Exodus House, it’s supporting churches and their goals for spend time with our Lawton District disciples return to Lawton, most of whom need a
do. This kind of enthusiasm and Redemption Church!! At this writing,
staff and residents. We would also like to ministry. that want to help and be a part of the bridge from prison into the community to
cooperation has helped us weather the another six inches of snow is just a few hours
Redemption mission. help stabilize their lives and help with drug
storm. thank Adam Wisneski, the photo journalist We are always delighted to welcome visitors. away and yet the warmth of Holy Spirit
I have tremendous respect and love for and alcohol treatment, employment, and
who came to photograph our Christmas Our address is 2624 E. Newton Street in mission and grace among our people in OK
We are happy to say we have a full house Party for residents and their sponsor Tulsa. We’d be happy to give you a tour, just prisons despite the winter’s bitter cold. James Martin who is certainly among the most advocacy. ―The Bridge,‖ transitional living
(ten residents). Boston Avenue’s churches. He spent most of another day give us a call: Jeannine @ 918/231-4065 or prominent examples of the love of Jesus Christ and treatment came to life February 1 in a
Pilgrimage Class is completing a major What a blessing to be a part of the United among Oklahoma prison missioners. Mr. great partnership with Roadback Inc.
following us around while we took Darlene @ 918/231-4013. Methodist Church connectional ministry! As
Martin is beloved among the men to whom he Residents follow treatment plans and live as
a part of the Cameron University Martin
has devoted his life for many years, tirelessly an accountability community, attend
Update on the Luther King Day of Caring service day,
teaching MRT, Thinking For a Change, and meetings and worship, must be employed,
Revs. Montie and Galeda Jones, pastors of
Victim Impact Program Transition Class at LCCC, WCC, and Lawton give at least 5 service hours per week back to
the Wesley Foundation at Cameron Campus the community, and pay a monthly co-pay for
Redemption Church. He and I will wrap up
We are privileged to House. After graduation they regained Ministry brought many students and local our third transition class at LCCC this after- their program. What a blessing for so many
church leaders for service projects. We are
welcome Bill Bateman to custody of Marianne’s two boys and had a
Ilinda Jackson will be returning to Tulsa noon, presenting accomplishment certificates of our people that need help. Many thanks to
our Tulsa Redemption baby girl. They have since bought their first deeply appreciative for the much needed all the disciples that feed, teach and transport
February 15 for a morning check-in with to the 40th incarcerated student since
family. Bill is the director home and have added a baby boy to their help. December 2010. What a blessing this has been the offenders of the Southwest District
of ―Life Gate Homes” family. Bill and Marianne continue to leaders trained last September, plus training through the Lawton Aldersgate Redemption
Many thanks to the Rev. Tracy Schumpert for the students that benefit from Mr. Martin
which has recently come under the CJAMM volunteer at Redemption Church in Tulsa. for new volunteers in the afternoon. and Ms. Janet Britt of the Anadarko United and other local community leaders that give Church. If you would like to help or want
umbrella. It is there that he provides a safe They are both very active in the Kairos Methodist Church for the invitation and more information, please call me at 580/512-
Teams from the September training have just their time.
haven for Christian men who are transitioning Prison Ministries. hospitality we received at the Heart of 7843.
finished their first course at Redemption, In 2011, more than 500 offenders will
out of prison. However, that doesn’t begin to Bill has started a volunteer program within Anadarko Fair. It is a tremendous blessing to —Becky Baxter-Ballou
describe all the remarkable things Bill does for Tulsa and Vinita. A team is scheduled to
Life Gate that gives the residents a chance begin soon in Eddie Warrier at Taft. Reports
this ministry and our community. He also to give back to their community through
works closely with Operation Hope, from facilitators and students alike are very
work days such as, most recently, snow
Redemption Tulsa and of course Exodus shoveling. Bill has taken the Life Gate men
positive.
House. Bill is the ―go to‖ guy when everyone out to do tree removal projects and lawn This course focuses on victims and the impact
else is stumped. He has this uncanny ability to
care for the elderly. of crime on them. It also addresses giving
fix most things, from cars to plumbing to a/c
and heater units and if he can’t fix it, you can For more information or if any of you know offenders the opportunity to change their Saturday, March 19, 2011
bet he’ll find someone who can. What’s even someone coming out of prison who needs a thinking and their behavior. Caring for
more commendable is that no matter how busy place like Life Gate Homes. Bill would be victims has always been a part of the total 11:00 am—1:30 pm
he is, he will make time to help. happy to hear from them. Bill can be CJAMM mission. If you are interested in First UMC - OKC
reached at: 918-378-6912 being a part of this program, contact Ilinda
Bill and his wife Marianne are both graduates Please RSVP to Lesa Rhoads at (405) 530-2014 or email to
of Exodus House Tulsa. They met and fell in Jackson at 405-963-6142, or by email at
love while Bill was still a resident of Exodus Linda.jackson@doc.statte.ok.us. lrhoads@okumc.org by March 1, 2011.
—-Rev. Brantley Tillery