Paula's Story of Transformation

Paula has always felt like she had to fight for everything in life, especially love and affection. Being placed into the foster care program at the age of 6 and being shuffled through the system for years can have that effect on a young child. So she fought her way back to her biological mother only to find the situation less than stable. Paula’s mother would have her own battles as she struggled with alcohol abuse, and would be challenged to provide the love Paula yearned for.

Around the age of 14, Paula would begin to experiment with  marijuana use because it numbed her pain, and she thought she found an escape from the reality of her struggles.  During her senior year in high school she would become pregnant by someone known to be a drug dealer, drop out of school, and begin to get caught up in the fast lane of partying and chasing the illusive high that seemed to be more difficult to get. Marijuana would be a gateway drug as she would later experiment with crack cocaine, and like many, become addicted to the fierce high the drug would bring. “My first hit of crack, I was hooked” says Paula.

Because of her crack addiction, Paula got caught up in the cycle of drugs, crime and prison recidivism. It would severely damage her relationships with her children, family and friends.  Its an all too familiar story, the effects of a sinful life out of control hurts more than just the person caught up in it, it spreads like vicious cancer devouring families and communities.

Unfortunately, sometime stories like Paula’s have a tragic ending. Sometimes drug addictions overcome a person to the point of overdosing. Other times, life on the streets takes its toll and claims the lives of those caught up in the deadly cycle. Paula knows this all too well. “I should have been dead. I really would have been this last time I was out on the streets but God saved my life. I was actually a missed encounter with a drug dealer that changed everything for me. I ended up going to prison, and I know it was God. The guy I was supposed to meet, ended up being set up by some other drug dealer and was gunned down in his car. It could have been me.”

Now Paula, a resident at Gadara Ministries transitional living home, (aka The City) seeks to follow God. “I know that God brought me here to Gadara in answer to prayer, it would be like a slap in the face to God if I didn't take full advantage of all that I am offered here.”. Her eyes tear up “I never had anyone show me unconditional love, but I have it here and they ask for nothing in return. The only thing they want is to build me up. I am so thankful for this ministry and the love you all show me that I never had.”

Paula is attending Houston Community College, pursuing her educational goals and would like to eventually become a drug counselor. She has a heart for serving others. "I would really love to help out other young women caught up in the life that I was, trying to find a way out. Show them the love of God and make a difference for them."

Paula has been transformed by Gods love....to the point of no return.

Gadara 2013 Meet the Residents

#KingdomWoman

Dr. Tony Evans, is a world renown pastor, and author. He has teamed up with his daughter, Chrystal Evans Hurst, to author “Kingdom Woman” and held a conference at City of Refuge Church launching the book. In it, they remind women of their calling from God to be free, delivered, healed, and to have hope. The authors bring insight that encourages women to correct distorted perceptions and understand who they really are in Christ. A Kingdom Woman seeks to align herself and operate up under the authority of God in every area of her life.

Jesus said in John 8:36, "If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed". So why do so many who call themselves Christians live such defeated lives spiritually? Unfortunately, many don't realize the power they have being in Him, the life He wants to live through them, and instead end up living a life of bondage to their past, their situations, expectations of others and fear that the enemy brings. So, understanding who we are in Christ is of infinite value in our spiritual walk, and in part liberates us to live free, as we abide in Him who  "delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins", as Paul writes in Col 1:13-14.

The residents from Gadara's discipleship home, known as "The City", had the opportunity to attend the Kingdom Woman book conference and where they also received a copy of the book, which Chrystal and Dr. Evans graciously signed. “It was one of the best days of my life to attend, it was spiritually powerful like nothing else” said one resident “life changing”. We thank both Dr. Evans and his daughter Chrystal for inspiring the women at The City to become "Kingdom Women".

Waiting for Stephanie.

God is truly amazing.....
While waiting to pick up our first resident, Stephanie, God was busy working in our midst. We were downtown at the bus station, a place where drugs, crime and other illicit behavior happen all day long. But we were there as servants of the King, and He showed up in a mighty way today. When we went inside the terminal, the security guard "happened" to approach us and would not allow us to record any more inside, due to security concerns. When we told her who we were and what we were doing, she immediately pointed to an elderly lady and her daughter sitting and looking in despair. They were in Houston, no family, and no where to go and the guard said that she couldnt find anyone to help them. Nicholas Thornton and Jackie McKenzie quickly came up with a solution, found a shelter that would receive these ladies immediately and provide shelter, food and assistance, put them in their car and drove them to the shelter, showing the love of Christ to people in need.

After waiting a while longer for Stephanie inside the bus station, we were concerned that we missed her. Nick "happened" to call Ms Peggy from The Woman's Roots, who said that Stephanie would be dropped off on the other side of the bus station. We immediately left the terminal and walked around the corner and as soon as we got there Stephanie "happened" to have been dropped off with a group of women and walking down the street at that exact moment. We met her, introduced ourselves and their "happened" to be walking up behind her and the other ladies released, Beth Whittier, President of Oaks of Righteousness, a Christian ministry for formerly incarcerated females. Beth had heard of Gadara and our work with the Formerly incarcerated, and told us to follow her across the street, down an alley to a small office building that houses some of the Salvation Army administrative workers. In the back room, they had a set up with a change of clothes for Stephanie and the other ladies they were there to pick up. Another lady we "happened" to meet who was released with Stephanie confided with us that she wanted to "get high". After sharing the gospel with her and the power of God to deliver her, I prayed for her and the ladies that had this room set up to minister to the women just released and dropped off at the bus station.

Upon leaving, we took Stephanie to get some soul food, her first meal request. When we went into the restaurant, there "happened" to be some men sitting at at table that "happened" to recognized Nick from speaking at the Forge for Families. They were with the Lazarus Project, helping ex prisoners escape the prison cycle (sound familiar?) and gave us resources that provide support, clothing, shoes, communication tools, employment and housing assistance, some of which Stephanie will be in need of.

All these things just "happened" today......God is truly amazing!

Stephanie comes home!

We have some exciting news, our sister Stephanie has been released and is home now residing at the Gadara Ministry House, aka "The City". Executive Director Nicholas Thornton, Mentor Jackie McKenzie, and Resident Manager Lori Whitlock here give her a tour of City of Refuge, where she will fellowship with Christians who will love her, accept her, nuture her, and walk alongside her in her journey to be transformed to the point of no return.....please be in prayer for Stephanie.
Stay tuned for Stephanie's story.....

Gadara House becomes a reality....."The City"

This room looks empty right now, but its not. This room is filled with hope. Hope that someone may have lost due to their past destructive behavior, sinful lifestyle, or even circumstances beyond their control. But because God is not finished writing the story, hope is alive. And more than hope, they will have the support of the family of God to go forward, experience Gods transforming love and power, and be able to build a foundation for the future to effect the lives of their own family, community, and world God will give them influence over.

Thanks to all of our volunteers, partners, friends and family, I am extremely pleased to announce that Gadara Ministry will officially open on June 15, 2013 the Gadara Ministry House, aka "The City" at 4318 Dacca Dr, Houston TX. The City transitional living community will be a home where formerly incarcerated women will be nurtured and transformed in the faith from a holistic approach, and given the tools and training necessary to break the cycle of prison recidivism. We will have a special open house with food from 3-7pm, with a special pastoral blessing at 5pm. Please feel free to stop in and say hello, pray with us, break bread with us, or just let us know that you stand with us in the fight to gain ground in the spiritual warfare of every soul.

Special thanks to Adam and Sarah Stone, Charles Cummings, Charles Linkatoon, David & Jennifer Hong, Dwaine and Diana Massey, Gary and Gail Tharp, Griff and Julie Aldrich, Jim and Flo Carroll, Joseph Gentempo, Keith and Emily Jenkins, Melissa Hall, Michael & Breanne Thomas, Michael Plummer, Ms Kathy, Nathan Kim, Leroy and Brenda Marshall, Pam Keller, Pastor Ikki & Tara Soma, Patricia and Jay Taul, Peggy Simon, Pervis & Shirley Thomas, Sam Lindsey, Sandy Schultz, Scott Wesley, Sterling and LeKeisha Roberts, Theresa Martin, Thomas Thompson, Tommie Florence, Troy and Marguerite Williams, Wayne and Cheryl D'Oyen, as well as The Forge For Families, His Fathers Heart, and WorkFaithConnection. May God bless you a hundredfold for you love and support!

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever!" Phillipians 4:19-20