Stand In The Gap™
Ohio

There are over 50,000 men, women and kids incarcerated inside Ohio adult and juvenile prisons. Approximately one-half of them will be released this year. Who will help them get ready and then be there for them when they come home?

In its reentry ministry, Opening Doors has embraced the Stand In The Gap™ model to support ex-offenders. This highly effective mentoring model surrounds one ex-offender with a spiritual family of 6-8 volunteers from the church. The covenant relationship of the family is guided by lay-leaders and supported by a Christian counselor. WellSpring Counseling (a division of Central Ohio Youth For Christ) under the leadership of its Director, Robert Uhle MA, LPCC, SC, LSW provides these supportive counseling services.

The basis of this unique mentoring model is Christian fellowship and prayer. As a result, the ministry is limited to prescreened Christian ex-offenders and their families.

Reports indicate that the first year after an inmate is released is critical to his or her success in returning to civilian life. One study found that 2/3 of the inmates who were rearrested were rearrested within 12 months of their release.

The experience from Tulsa, Oklahoma where SITG is in its 9th year of ministry, reveals the incredible power of the spiritual family to transform not only the life of the ex-offender, but everyone else who participates in the family experience as well.

Becoming involved in a Stand In The Gap™ spiritual family is a unique way to mentor a Christian ex-offender. Your spiritual family (the mentoring group) will meet twice a month during one year for Christian fellowship and prayer. As you show up, care and pray God does the heavy lifting and lives are transformed by the power of His love.