Gordon

MEETING GORDON AT THE GATE

A few months ago, we learned that a 50 year old man who had grown up in our church would soon be getting out of prison. After 6 years in prison, he would need a team of Christians not only to meet him at the gate of the prison, but surround him with Christian love and practical help. After conferring with staff at Koinonia House Ministries (with whom we’ve worked before), the need for this unique team was shared with the Wheaton Christian Reformed church congregation. In response, over 30 people came for lunch after church on December 9, 2007, where we were coached by Koinonia House’s Jasper Lukose on how to help Gordon once he was released from prison. A member of the congregation who is a Christian psychologist talked about how alcohol fetal syndrome affects people like Gordon, while Gordon’s Aunt described his life and behavior in the past, and her hopes for helping him in the future. As a result of that meeting, 8 families signed up to pick Gordon up at Wayside Cross Mission in Aurora one Sunday every two months, take him to church, then to lunch, and back to WCM. We expect that Gordon will be needing this help for the next year and a half.

As the day for Gordon’s release came near, staff from Wheaton CRC visited Wayside Cross, met with their staff, toured their facility, and got to know their program, rules and ways of operating.
Then, the day of Gordon’s release, 5 of us from Wheaton CRC (including his elderly mother), drove the three hours to Lincoln, Illinois to Logan Correctional Institution. We arrived at 11:05 am, and by 11:40 or so, Gordon met us there in the lobby wearing a white sweat shirt, white sneakers, and dark sweat pants. We shared hugs and hand shakes, then drove to the nearest Cracker Barrel Restaurant, where Gordon had his first taste of not only freedom of choice, but also a warm and homey atmosphere. Conversation was lively all the way to Wayside in Aurora, where we all walked Gordon into the facility. There he read a set of rules, agreed to abide by them, and then filled out an application to live and work under their supervision. We helped Gordon condense everything into two suitcases that would fit under his bed, and a bag that could go into his locker. We briefly met Wayside’s Chaplain and Director of Ministries, then said our goodbyes till 5 days later, when we plan to pick him up for church. Thru all of this process, Gordon seemed genuinely pleased, and optimistic about the day and the future. Meanwhile, we all are praying and planning to be there for Gordon until the Lord tells us otherwise.

Larry S. Kendrick
Ministries Coordinator
Wheaton Christian Reformed Church