The story of Rick and Trish Mathes. of the St. Louis area, is a “colorful” one!
When the Holy Spirit was working on Rick, he went to a presbyterian church service, cowboy hat on his head, sat down, and lit up a cigarette!
I am sure he made quite an impression on the congregation! He says he thinks he did 🙂
And, as of this recording with him, he reports that he had “spent 38 years in the world, and about the same time since serving God.”
He and Trish came to saving, life-changing faith at a similar time.
Trish also had no spiritual background and had never knowingly “seen a Bible.” She is now a Godly and gracious lady.
The ministry they began together is Mission Gate Prison Ministry,
From their website, www.missiongateministry.org” (to see ministries and more photos)
“Rick Mathes: Turning Lives from Crime to Christ
“Mission Gate is the last chance for many men and women coming out of prison or rehabilitation to create a new healthy and meaningful life.
“Our residents work, study, and diligently prepare for a new way of life as a child of God. Every year more than 300 men, women, and families step out from the dark shadow of prison or addiction and into a future filled with hope and opportunity.
“Step through the Mission Gate with us.”
“Mission Gate is both an in-prison ministry and a residential aftercare program for men and women recently released from prisons, jails, or rehabilitation facilities.
“*Accredited by National Alliance for Recovery
“*Member of Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers: Missouri Recovery Lifeline
“Mission Gate is so excited to announce the prisons are opening up. Our staff and volunteers are gearing up to go spread the gospel and give hope to those we serve.
“Trish Mathes, co-founder of Mission Gate and our Executive Aftercare Director was blessed recently getting to go into Fulton Community Supervision Center, which is the first of its kind in the state. She got to share the hope, love, joy, and restoration that comes from our Lord, letting them know that Mission Gate was here to help them along that journey.
“I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
-Matthew 25:36
“ If you would like to volunteer to join us, please feel free to email us at info@missiongateministry.org or call us at (636) 391-8560”
Just over 30 years ago, Rick and Trish adopted a black baby who would have been aborted into their family. At that time of the baby crying a lot, Rick remembers that they put her on Rick’s tummy when she was two days old. She stopped crying. Now as a grown woman, Carletta works with Bethany Baptist to save babies, and have them adopted into good homes.
Godly, elected public officials, statesmen with integrity, have stood by Rick, Trish, and Mission Gate, such as former U. S. Senator Jim Talent, and former Congressman Todd Akin.
Each year Mission Gate sponsors Christmas parties for – more or less — a thousand children of those in prison.
Related “links” for anytime listening …
To hear … “ DR. ANTHONY ALLEN, PRESIDENT, HANNIBAL-LAGRANGE UNIVERSITY IN MISSOURI, TALKS ABOUT A COURSE OF STUDY HE BEGAN AT THE UNIVERSITY TO PREPARE THOSE BEING LED TO MINISTER TO THOSE IN PRISON” … click on … Dr. Anthony Allen, President, Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri, talks about a course of study he began at the University to prepare those being led to minister to those in prison – Harold Hendrick;
To hear … “TINO WALLENDA (“FLYING WALLENDAS” – WWW.WALLENDA.COM) USING HIGH WIRE SKILLS IN PRISON MINISTRY” … click on … Tino Wallenda (“Flying Wallendas” – www.wallenda.com) using high wire skills in prison ministry – Harold Hendrick;
To hear … “PASTOR PHIL BROWNLEE IN STL COUNTY JAIL LISTENED HOURS A DAY TO BIBLE TEACHING ON BOTT RADIO NETWORK” … click on … Pastor Phil Brownlee in STL County jail listened hours a day to Bible teaching on Bott Radio Network – Harold Hendrick;
To hear … “AT AGE 17, JEREMY SMITH SPENT A YEAR IN JAIL. THAT IS WHEN HE CAME TO LIFE-CHANGING FAITH IN JESUS! LATER BEGAN WWW.RETHINK315.ORG.” … click on … At age 17, Jeremy Smith spent a year in jail. That is when he came to life-changing faith in Jesus! Later began www.rethink315.org. – Harold Hendrick;
To hear … “FROM THE ARCHIVES: DR. HENRY BLACKABY (‘EXPERIENCING GOD’); RE HIS VISITS TO JOYFUL ANGOLA PRISONERS’ ON DEATH ROW!” … click on … From the Archives: Dr. Henry Blackaby (“Experiencing God”); re his visits to joyful Angola Prisoners on death row! – Harold Hendrick;
To hear … “MANY MURDERERS, RAPISTS, AND THE LIKE IN PRISON HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST; SOME ARE CALLED TO SERVE THERE AS PASTORS. DR. ANTHONY ALLEN, PRESIDENT, HANNIBAL-LAGRANGE U TELLS OF UNIVERSITY’S MINISTRY DEGREE TO PREPARE THEM.” … click on … Many murderers, rapists, and the like in prison have received Christ; some are called to serve there as pastors. Dr. Anthony Allen, President, Hannibal-LaGrange U tells of the university’s ministry degree to prepare them. – Harold Hendrick;
To hear … “MARK WHITACRE: ADM PRICE FIXER, FBI WHISTLEBLOWER, SUICIDAL; PRISON WAS ‘BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE!’” … click on … Mark Whitacre: ADM price fixer, FBI whistleblower, suicidal; prison was “Best years of my life!” – Harold Hendrick
To hear … “DALE PUGH: DEFIANT, BY 17 ARRESTED 5 TIMES, “CALLED ON GOD FROM JAIL.” NOW LIVING IN JOY, PURPOSE” … click on … Dale Pugh: defiant, by 17 arrested 5 times, “called on God from jail.” Now living in joy, purpose – Harold Hendrick