Stand in the Gap Ministries
History
In operation for over ten years, Stand In The Gap™ was founded in 1997 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by three businessmen who desired to serve the poor—to “teach them how to fish” so that they could support themselves and their families at a healthy, life-sustaining level. Initially, the three partners used their business expertise to help Stand in the Gap™ clients launch their own micro-businesses.
In August 1997 one of the co-founders, Buddy Stone, sold his company and has remained actively involved with Stand in the Gap, currently serving full-time as Executive Director. In October 1998 Stand in the Gap incorporated and received 501 c (3) non-profit designation.
Rather than ‘throwing checks’ at individuals in poverty, Stand in the Gap™ forms ‘spiritual families’ of 6 to 10 people to support and mentor – to function as a family. All of these volunteer ‘family’ members commit to biweekly meetings for at least one year. They are trained to experience healthy ‘family’ life within the group, and to face problems through prayer and decisions based on unity.
Over the years, Stand in the Gap developed a screening process, to help identify people ‘in need’ who would be most receptive to involvement with a ‘spiritual family.’ Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the Stand in the Gap model is that the process introduces the caring, sincere Christian to a ‘neighbor’ who has indicated a real desire to create a new life for themselves and their families.
Always operating with a staff of three or less, the ministry of Stand in the Gap™ has been blessed over the years by donations from numerous individuals, churches, and foundations.
In our continuing efforts to strengthen individuals and families and break the cycle of generational poverty, by 2005 the Stand in the Gap™ staff had begun training churches and ministries to utilize its model within their congregations. Opening Doors of Ohio uses the Stand in the Gap™ approach with ex-prisoners, surrounding them with spiritual families to support their reintegration into society.
In early 2007 our Women in Transition project began – preparing women in Oklahoma prisons for their release to the community, and forming Stand in the Gap™ ‘families’ to support them long term following their release.
In order to reach the thousands who lack the support of a healthy family, Stand in the Gap™ will continue expanding its program’s reach by offering training to churches and agencies serving those in need. Specifically, pilot programs are underway to serve young adults ‘aging out’ of the foster care system in Missouri, and widow(er)s needing help adjusting to their new life situations.
It became apparent, too, that many people are not ‘in (financial) poverty’ as such, but are, indeed, poor – or suffering a lack. Stand in the Gap™ has expanded its services to those who are poor because of being fatherless, in prison, widowed, disabled, emotionally ill, or just lonely.
