The 3rd ward area, like most inner cities is plagued with high crime rates, drug abuse, educational deficiencies, poverty, unstable single parent homes, and a tearing apart of the family structure. Many of the formerly incarcerated are parents, and Harris County has the largest percentage of returning prisoners being released back into society. 46% of imprisoned parents lived with at least one child prior to their incarceration. The average age of children with incarcerated parents is 8 years old. 22% are age 5 or younger. It is estimated that 65, 129 prisoners are returned to their communities in Texas each year. Harris County had 10,264 incarcerated persons in 2010 and had the third fastest growing jail population in the nation with an increase of 46% from 1999 – 2009. With these staggering numbers, it is of vital importance to break the cycle with this generation of formerly incarcerated, to become influencers in their communities and stop the cycle for the next generation. Delivering hope to these communities by providing the way to transformation of those who were in the past a part of the problem, and will in turn become a part of the solution. Providing the necessary tools to stem the tide of degradation of this important part of society is a necessary building block of re-establishing our community.

SOME REASONS WHY GADARA EXISTS....

I. TO DELIVER THOSE THROUGH THE GOSPEL APPROACH FROM ... MENTAL...EMOTIONAL....AND SPIRITUAL ISSUES, WHEN COMING OUT OF PRISON. PROVIDING HOPE TO THE HOPELESS...LOVE TO THE OSTRACIZED..EDUCATION TO THE UNEDUCATED....SKILLS TO THE UNSKILLED.

The challenges faced by the formerly incarcerate can be enourmous upon release back into society. But with the power of God to transform lives by His Spirit, we believe that Gadara Ministries will make a difference.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.


II. TO RE-UNITE THE FAMILY STRUCTURE BACK IN THE HOME.

The family structure is a vital building block for all society. To build bridges of hope and encouragement to the many families that are torn apart by the seperation from past behaviour resulting in incarceration, is an important stepping stone to rebuilding our communities.


Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

III. TO REDUCE CRIME.....AND THE RECIDIVISM RATE.

The rate of prison recidivism among those in the inner cities is staggering. Those being released back into society need more then just a bus ticket home. They need the power to make lasting change.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

IV. TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.... FROM DRUGS AND CRIME...

The problem of crime and drugs effects all of our society, but is more prevalent in the inner city such as Houston's 3rd ward. The role of our prison systems is not rehabilitation, but rather punitive, which rarely leads to real change. Offering faith based solutions to the real problems of sinful issues is our only hope to make a difference.

Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

V. TO REDUCE THE DROP OUT RATE..
Children of incarcerated parents drop out at a significantly higher rate then those with both parents in the household. Education is a primary key to opening career doors and establishing vocational success and avoiding the temptations and lures of "fast money", which ends up being "fast prison sentence".

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."Proverbs 18:15

VI. TO REDUCE TEEN PREGNANCIES...AND ABORTION...

Teen pregnancies rates are considerably higher in the absence of the father in the home. We believe that all life is sacred and that it is necessary to call men to responsible roles of leadership in their homes.

Isa 44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen

VII. TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES AND CITIES INTO SAFE PLACES TO LIVE AND GROW.

Psa 121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Psa 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
Psa 121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Psa 121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.























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What Gadara Ministry does....

Praise the LORD for a ministry like Gadara's. This ministry is compasionately driven by men and women who have had an life changing encounter with JESUS CHRIST.This belief that has empowered them to the point of lasting change in every area of their lives. Internal deliverance Spiritually and mentally has shown great external implications. Gadara offers this Spiritual recipe of pursuit to those entangled in spiritual bondage. CHRIST crossed over to the otherside according to mark chapter 5 into a irreligious,heathenistic land and delivered a man from demonic possesion. Gadara PURSUE'S intently with the powerful life changing GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.PRAISE GOD for GADARA!!! And the men and womem on its staff.