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Apportionments Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries

OKUMC Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries Web site

Criminal Justice and Mercy Min­istries (CJAMM) in Oklahoma Confer­ence have set the standard for prison ministries for other conferences of our denomination-and have inspired vi­sions of more that needs to be done.

One of the outstanding programs of the ministries is New Day Camps. These events, held at Cross Point Camp on Lake Texoma, are designed for children and youth whose parents are or were incarcerated. The young camp­ers encounter warmth and acceptance. These camps are staffed by volunteers and funded by contributions.

CJAMM volunteers go inside prisons to lead Kairos, a version of the ecumenical Emmaus Walk, and TORCH, a form ofKairos for juvenile of­fenders. Through these ministries, some inmates are first introduced to the Christian faith. These programs are followed by opportunities for inmates to be transported to take part in worship and educational ministries at Re­demption churches. Volunteers work with Redemption Kids in Oklahoma City and Tulsa; and with Redemption Church in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton and Ardmore.

CJAMM also operates two Exodus Houses, in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. These are small apartment complexes where people newly released from prison can live with their families while they re-enter life successfully outside prison walls. Leaders say those who take this route rarely return to prison. The furnished apartment-complete with linens, cooking and eat­ing utensils-is provided free of charge, except for the cost of electricity. Residents stay for a limited time and are permitted to take all the apartment's contents when they move. Exodus Houses welcome donations of items for the apartments.