Restoration Outreach of Dallas

Current Happenings

15 Mar 2009 01:02:38 am GMT -5

ROD Classroom Photos

Larry Gener Teaching [img]http://www.goldengatembc.org/images/uploads/rod/231966213__mg_0260.jpg[/img] Spanish Group serious at study time [img]http://www.goldengatembc.org/images/uploads/rod/231967415__mg_0231.jpg[/img] Volunteer Calvin teaching [img]http://www.goldengatembc.org/images/uploads/rod/231966855__mg_0280.jpg[/img]

Volunteer Oppourtunities

[b]We can use the help of all kinds of volunteers with just about any gift! The following are some current and ongoing volunteer needs:[/b] [b]Pen Pal[/b] � Volunteers willing to write encouraging letters to inmates, send them birthday cards and keep in touch with them. [b]Mentor[/b] � Volunteers willing to spend a few hours per week counseling, listening and spiritually befriending a ROD client. [b]Volunteer Coordinator/Event Planner[/b] � Individual(s) gifted with organization and making contacts. We need someone to arrange our regular events and gatherings including things such as ordering food and making guest lists. We need someone who can contact volunteers and put them to work in the places they are needed. [b]IT support[/b] � Someone trained in network computing who would be able to come in occasionally and check on our systems, teach us user skills, and troubleshoot problems. [b]Administrative Support[/b] � An individual gifted in organization, who can help us with filing systems, data entry, organizing office supplies, and other regular office duties. If you can help, please contact us.[/b]...

ROD Graduation Ceremony

12 May 2008 02:19:43 pm GMT -5

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About Us

10 May 2005 09:30:59 am GMT -5

What We Do

ROD Ministries is a non-profit organization serving the prison population. ROD acts as an aide through the power of the Gospel to repair, restore and redirect broken lives in area prisons. ROD walks alongside an offender to encourage him or her to a journey of hope and restoration. Our discipleship program begins during incarceration with extensive hands-on Bible teaching, accountability and direction, which continues after release. ROD is available for inmates who are committed to change their lives for the better. Our program may be the crucial difference between an inmate returning to old habits upon release and his or her decision to undertake a productive, purposeful life. ROD has partnered with the [url=http://www.goldengatembc.org/index.cfm/PageID/1072/index.html]Adult Rehabilitation Ministry[/url] to assist in the aftercare process, but provides many more aftercare services and opportunities. ARM and WARM (Women�s Adult Rehabilitation Ministry) are designed to provide at-risk men and women with the life skills necessary to become self-sufficient and fully contributing members of the community. For detailed information on the ROD 3-step program, please see Pre Release.

Our History

ROD Ministries was birthed out of a group of faithful volunteers with a desire to see inmates effectively use the time-out God provided them. The volunteers believe that a growing relationship with Christ Jesus affects how the inmates make choices... separating their futures from yesterday's failures. Over time, one lecture class became three integrated classes requiring homework and affording intimate connections through small discussion groups. ROD now has a format for coming to know our clients and to more effectively plan with them a re-entry and aftercare strategy. The love expressed through our staff and faithful volunteers brings the hope of the Gospel alive. ROD now has a close partnership with ARM/WARM, the aftercare ministry of [url=http://www.goldengatembc.org]Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church[/url] designed to complete the cycle of recovery and restoration for our mission. Dedicated on August 27, 2006, the award-winning Gate House administrative and community outreach facility is the fruit of the years of hard work and sacrifice of the Golden Gate congregation, volunteers and staff. The Gate House houses both the ARM/WARM and ROD programs. The new facility enables the programs to serve additional at-risk men, women and families. We also envision establishing a residential program for the Women Adult Rehabilitation Ministry program, and enhance the Church�s Food Share Ministry.

Board of Directors

Stanley K. Barth	Obie Bussey	Richard E. LeBlanc
Carl �Butch� McCaslin	Billy Pat Robinson	�

Staff

Obie Bussey
Executive Director

Jeff Parker
Director of Aftercare

Testimonials

16 Jun 2004 01:03:07 pm GMT -5

Most ex-offenders who have successfully completed ROD have gone on to aftercare programs, such as ARM, where they learn skills to maintain a better quality of life. Here are a few of their stories: [i]�Romans 12:2 says �be ye not conformed to the world.� That is exactly how I was living in a cursed generation, living in bondage. I�ve been involved with alcohol and drugs, and in and out of jail all my life. I am sure many can relate to my story. A life of hurt and emptiness turned me to drugs and getting caught up in the lifestyle of doing whatever it took to get more drugs. I got arrested September 21, 2004, and received a 1-year sentence in the state jail. That was a turning point. I turned to Jesus and grabbed ahold of him with all I had. I knew in my heart that I had to make a decision. I knew in my heart that Jesus was life changing. During the period of my incarceration ROD classes were available to me, where I gained direction in seeking and growing to know God. It was more than what I had pictured. The volunteers love you and show you that the love of God that transformed their lives is there to help transform our lives to what is good and acceptable to God�s perfect will. ROD Ministries has helped not only in a direction of love and fullness of God's joy, but they were able to put me in a transitional place that met my needs, a place where God drew me closer to Him. Finally, I have joy. I have a secure feeling and foundation which is Jesus. God has opened some doors in my life and He will do the same for you.�[/i]

�Shawn Jones

[i]After being sentenced to Hutchins State Jail, I started to seriously look at my life and the direction it was headed. Change began to be something that I was no longer afraid of. I prayed earnestly for God to direct my life. I overheard some cellmates of mine talking about transitional housing so I asked about it, and they led me down to the chapel. I started going to service there, where I got involved with a group called Warriors for Christ. I attended meetings weekly, and was introduced to ROD. They spoke with me about change and how to actually bring it about. They went as far as to tell me about how to live life in a Christ-like manner, by being the man that God wants me to be every single day. After I was released from Hutchins, ROD lead me to ARM. They taught me commitment, character, discipline, and doing the next right thing. Obedience to God has caused so many doors to open in my life. I now have been clean and sober for almost three years...thanks to GOD. I am currently employed full time, and I am attending Eastfield College where I am studying to be a licensed counselor. I have now found out that if you are committed to change� change will take place.[/i]

�Stacey Smith

Aftercare

16 Jun 2004 12:53:05 pm GMT -5

Of the 600,000 individuals released from prison every year, 67 percent will return to a life of crime and imprisonment within three years. More than 80 percent of inmates incarcerated have committed a drug-related crime. Opportunities for successful re-entry into society are few. Keys to success are housing, addiction counseling, employment skills, reintegration into the family, and social and conflict resolution skills. Many churches and other groups minister to inmates in prison; however, organized discipleship and aftercare programs are rare. This is where ROD�s aftercare program and partnership with Adult Rehabilitation Ministry comes in.

Aftercare Services

[imgr]http://www.goldengatembc.org/images/uploads/arm/counseling2.jpg[/imgr] Following release, ROD provides clients with: [list] [*]Residential placement if needed [*]Transportation such as bus passes [*]Job referrals and resume writing [*]Clothing, shoes, toiletries and food [*]Routine medical exams and procedures via mobile medical unit [*]Weekly Christian support groups for clients and their families [*]A central directory of available resources and referrals to local providers [*]Assistance obtaining driver�s licenses, birth certificates and Social Security cards [*]Consultation, encouragement and prayer [*]�Bridges of Hope� initiative to maintain contact with and support for clients who choose not to enter a residential program. [/list]

Adult Rehabilitation Ministry and Women�s Adult Rehabilitation Ministry

[imgr]http://www.goldengatembc.org/images/uploads/arm/armlogo.jpg[/imgr]

ROD has partnered with the ARM residential program and WARM program because of the measurable success its clients have experienced through these programs. ARM/WARM are for individuals struggling with chemical dependency. ARM consists of a three-phase residential care program:

[b]Primary Care[/b] is a six-month, Christ-centered 12-step recovery curriculum which incorporates intensive Bible study, character development, job readiness and computer training. [b]Aftercare[/b] is an optional six-month program offered to the graduates of Primary Care. This program provides an opportunity for gradual transition into the community and assists with job search, money management and social skills enrichment. [b]Relapse Intervention[/b] is a flexible-term residential program for Primary Care graduates who have relapsed into chemical abuse. New objectives must be established as well as methods of accountability to prevent recurrence.

While WARM is still an outpatient program with a residential option currently in the works, the men who participate in the program, along with their families, become actively involved in Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church. They participate in the Food Share Ministry, Brotherhood, prayer service, Bible studies, Sunday school, evangelism and church choir. Please visit the ARM website at www.goldengatembc.org for details on these ministries.