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The mission of Freedom Gate Ministries is to provide Christian “Aftercare” support for ex-prisoners. This support would not only include food, clothing, and shelter but also a “constant care” environment where the ex-prisoner would receive practical counseling in all area’s of life in order to become a responsible neighbor in the community.

Hello Freedom Gate readers. This is an exciting time for me, not only for personal reasons, but for all believers this Christmas season. It was about this time last year, as a resident, that the Holy Spirit really worked on me. I was able to surrender myself totally to Him-not just the "half-stepping" thing. I think we can all relate to that at some time during our Christian walk. Not only is our Saviors' birth a miracle, but it took this five time, revolving jail door drug addict, away from a life of self-destruction and has turned me into a man that God can call His very own! Wow! Now that's a miracle!! 

My stay at Freedom Gate, August 2005-February 2006, was the pivotal turning point in my life. It was through this program (and a lot of patience from my brother Junior) that God used to speak to me and teach me new life skills. The daily Bible studies, Celebrate Recovery meetings, the hours spent with my fellow residents and Juniors' guidance, all played a major influence in building my relationship with God. I know sometimes that many who read this newsletter focus on a success rate, but honestly I learned more from my own failures and even others' failures than from success stories. 

The hardship, the struggles, the disappointments that I went through during my stay, have turned out to be my greatest victories. They have helped boost my faith and belief in Jesus Christ. It was also through this program that I met Pastor Jack, my friend, my mentor, and now my pastor. This year I became a member of First Century. I have had the opportunity to speak in First Century church functions and talk about what God has done in my life and how he took a 40 year old man with a 22 year drug addiction, a criminal record and a history of gun violence to where I am now. He is molding me into a man of God. 

I do not have the space to tell you about all the blessings God has given me this year, so I'll just mention a few. I recently married to a lovely Christian woman-with two boys. He's provided for me financially (which is another miracle!) and has done a great healing throughout my body-both physically and mentally. Just recently our 10 year old son has accepted the Lord and our oldest has re-dedicated his life to Him. The Lord is using us to witness to our old friends and family members, to which some have committed their lives to the Lord and some have just started visiting church. 

I want to thank all those who give of their time, donations, food, teaching of the Word of God, and Junior and his wife for running this program. Thanks also for all the prayers that are sent up for this program and its leaders. I stand here today-a living miracle and testimony-to what God can do in someone's life. I want to thank Junior for not giving up on me and giving me the opportunity to come back to conduct Bible study with the guys. Lastly, I want to thank our Father for His gift of eternal life and give Him all the glory and honor!

Psalm 34:1-2 says, "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice." 

As I look back on this past year, I can't help but give God all the praise. Even in the midst of the struggles I've had with my health. Some may ask, how could you praise him when your health is not cooperating? I can praise Him because his Holy Spirit has comforted me and has given me the strength I needed to be able to minister at Freedom Gate. Even when there were times I did not feel like going to FG to minister the Holy Spirit empowered me to do so. What a joy there is in talking about Jesus, the lover of my soul. He has rewarded me by allowing me to see Him work in men's lives and former residents like Scott Wiedenmann. He has allowed me to run into former residents that have said that FG was the turning point in their life and have never been the same. Their lives have changed because of Christ. Others have thanked me for never watering down the gospel. To God be the Glory! 

Freedom Gate's standard of living is based on the Word of God. God says it and that settles it. We minister Gods Word because we know that it is He who can take a broken life and put it back together. It is He who gives hope to the hopeless. It was He who heard the cry of our hearts and wrapped His loving arms around us, loved us and told us He is able to do what we can not do. By God's grace and provision we will continue to share the GREAT NEWS OF SALVATION. 

With all the great testimonies that we have had and the spiritual successes in the lives of the men, we have also experienced a financial strain. We know that many are struggling in their finances and that the cost of living is going up but we need to continue to proclaim the Good News to everyone who enters through the doors of Freedom Gate. We cannot let finances keep us from imparting life to those who so desperately seek to live a better life and who have never been given a chance. All of those great testimonies that we have heard this wonderful year of 2006 were possible because of those who believe in Prison Ministry. We all have played a part in reaching out one-by-one. So please, as you read this letter and those letters to come give generously and as you give, pray that every penny that Freedom Gate receives will be multiplied over and over again. Thank you so much for being a part of our lives and the men's lives... we are forever grateful.

In His service,

Junior Oriol

Program Director