Alva helps build chapel behind prison walls

Chapel of hope --Prison warden Janice Melton, left, and Alva-First pastor Terry Martindale are shown outside the new chapel building on the grounds of Bill Johnson Correctional Center. Photos by Ron Wallin ...

District responds for Redemption Church

Workers get a boost with exterior repairs in Lawton. A church without air conditioning pleaded for help as worshippers baked under Oklahoma’s record-setting summer heat, and United Methodists...

Saint Paul seminary honors Basler

From left, Stan Basler receives congratulations from Susan Southall of Enid and Dean Elaine Robinson of Saint Paul at OCU. Stan Basler received the 2011 Distinguished Graduate Award from Saint Paul...

'I was in prison, and you visited me'

The Oklahoma Conference Strategic Plan provides the framework to envision, implement, and assess all ministries and missions for every church. The Plan targets 3 key areas. This story focuses on: "Be more fruitful in our ministry partnerships in spaces the local church alone cannot." The...

Agency honors Tulsan -Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries

Ellis Frazier accepts his award. Ellis Frazier of Tulsa was honored as Volunteer of the Year by Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries (CJAMM) of the Conference. The award was given March 27 during the agency’s Volunteer...

Living the Plan- For children of prisoners, a New Day

Former campers transform into leaders By Becky Baxter-Crowell New Day Camp at Cross Point seems like any other great United Methodist summer camp for young people. The campers are excited. They’re swimming, hiking, taking part in other activities; lots of United Methodist disciples are spending time with the kids. But New Day Camp is extraordinary because all the campers are children whose parents are incarcerated. ...

Furniture for Exodus House

Photo by Amelia Ballew Edmond-First UMC bought 10 new twin-sized bed sets for OKC-Exodus House and delivered them in June. Church member Joe Gorman said a mattress company worked with the church on pricing. Helpers on delivery day were: Vicki Toombs, Gorman and his wife, Phyllis, and Pastor Danny Moss, all of Edmond-First; and company representatives Anthony Valentine and James McDonald. Exodus House, a program of...

Manning is Volunteer of Year

Stan Basler, left, introduces Bud Manning. Bud Manning was honored March 14 as the Volunteer of the Year for CJAMM, the Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries of the Oklahoma Conference. The award was presented at the annual CJAMM Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, held at OKC-St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Manning’s commitment to prison ministry dates back to a time when he was imprisoned. He...

State panel studies prisoner re-entry

 CJAMM’s advocacy role grows State legislators are reviewing a report on the challenges faced by inmates when they are released from prison, according to UM clergyman Stan Basler. The report was finalized in December by the state Re-entry Policy Council, after the group evaluated how the Department of Corrections (DOC) prepares offenders to return to society. The council was established by House Bill 2101; Rev. Dr. Basler was...

CJAMM volunteer sees lives change

October is "Be a Saint, Be a Giver" Month for CJAMM. Find out more about the annual campaign at www.okumcministries.org/CJAMM.       Volunteer Barbara Rice has been a witness to radical life transformations for three new friends in Tulsa. Rice met Karen, Ruby, and Charles through the Tulsa branches of Oklahoma Conference’s Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM). She is a member of...

Though I'm physically incarcerated, I'm spiritually free

By Holly McCray Ladonna Pinto got lots of hugs May 27. She hadn’t seen her three young daughters for six months. She hadn’t seen her father in more than a year. That day provided precious family time. That day, the young mother, who is incarcerated in Oklahoma City, spoke at the 2008 Annual Conference, in Tulsa. Her faith story was among several shared during the report of Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM). Her family was able to attend. Her father and sister are...

State agency honors volunteers for justice and mercy work with juveniles

Vicki Spurgeon, a member of Lawton-St. Paul's UMC, volunteers for Kairos Torch at the facility in Manitou. United Methodist volunteers who minister to incarcerated juveniles were honored April 30 at the state Capitol. The state Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) presented 2008 Outstanding Volunteer Awards to individuals and groups. United Methodist recipients included: Vicki Spurgeon, a member of Lawton-St. Paul's UMC and a Kairos Torch volunteer at Southwestern Oklahoma Juvenile Center in...

CJAMM honors volunteer

Sam Gaddis, at right, volunteers at Ardmore-Redemption church, where Everisto Chikanga, left, is pastor. By Holly McCray Sam Gaddis was named Volunteer of the Year by the leadership of United Methodist Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM) in Oklahoma. The award was announced at the annual CJAMM Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, held March 15 at OKC-St. Luke’s. "I met Sam in the late 1990s. He was involved in the Kairos prison ministry at Granite. (Oklahoma State Reformatory) is a...

Volunteers welcomed at feast

  Be a Saint Month October is CJAMM "Be a Saint, Be a Giver" month. A new DVD highlighting prison ministry is being sent to church pastors. Guest speakers are available. Call 405-530-2014. Inmates coordinate Appreciation Day   By Holly McCray They crafted and mailed party invitations. They planned a lavish menu and printed a worship bulletin. On the day of the event, they arrived early at the fellowship hall to decorate and complete food preparation. This...

CJAMM's New Day Camp needs volunteers

Adult volunteers are needed for New Day Camp I, set for June 10-15 at Cross Point Camp. The program ministers to elementary-age campers (ages 8-11), whose parents are incarcerated. New Day Camp I is one of two summer camps directed by Oklahoma Conference Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM). The second camp session is for children who are adolescents. Men are needed to be small-group leaders. Volunteers must be at least age 18. Focus Group leaders are also needed. This type of...

Volunteer honored for teaching at prisons

Jim Gayle was honored by Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM) during the fifth annual CJAMM Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, held on Feb. 24 at OKC-St. Luke’s UMC. Gayle has provided outstanding volunteer service, noted Stan Basler, CJAMM director. In 1999, Gayle pioneered the introduction of the Disciple Bible Study as part of the CJAMM ministry. He did so at the request of Michelle McCarty, who is pastor at Calumet UMC. From 1999 to 2005, Gayle and others led weekly Disciple Bible...