Comments on: How do you strike up a conversation with someone wearing a dog collar?

By: Justice and Compassion

Justice and Compassion — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:49:45 +0000

[...] In May 2007, Off the Map interviewer extraordinaire Pam Hogeweide introduced us to 74 year old great-grandmother and street pastor Gail Wells. Gail is the Executive Director of City Gates Ministries (CGM) in Olympia, Washington, a faith-based organization that helps people on the street with practical needs. You can read the full interview here: How do you strike up a conversation with someone wearing a dog collar? [...]

By: Gail Wells

Gail Wells — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:43:08 +0000

Hi Kathleen.

I know I am way late in answering this. Haven’t been back to this site for a while. (????)

No we don’t do that kind of outreach on Sunday afternoon, but we do this sort of thing on Thursday nights in the park and ride lot behind the Olympia Bus Transit Station. You can’t miss us, we have anywhere up to 125 people hanging around us. Some just want the clothes and food for ???? reasons but we do get to meet them and interact. Hopefully, we find favor with them and they like us and will come back.

Thanks for reading this article.

God bless in all things,

Gail

By: kathleen

kathleen — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 05:46:46 +0000

Hey Gail,

I know I am way late in this conversation…but do you distribute clothes in a church parking lot on Sunday afternoons?

By: Gail Wells

Gail Wells — Mon, 14 May 2007 19:24:23 +0000

Deborah to Just Me re “first lovers”.

Ditto that. And Ken’s thought that people deserved to be loved just because God created them helps me see the person behind all the stuff. That’s the person God wants us to reach through to. “Whatsoever you do for the least of these, you do for Me,” said Jesus. I’m empowered by the profunidty of that statement. It is an extra-worldly perspective.

By: Gail Wells

Gail Wells — Mon, 14 May 2007 19:00:55 +0000

Pastor Byangu:

“Something we could learn or glean from each other…”

I would be very interested in meeting and sharing street ministry experiences. Please contact me at 1richlady@comcast.net so we can set up a meeting.

Gail

By: Gail Wells

Gail Wells — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:51:17 +0000

Wow, thanks for all your kind words, Pam. I am extremely humbled to be numbered among all you awesome people. A lot of God-inspired input went into my own life before I showed up on the street and I have to give credit to Jim and his OTM team for new (to me) ideas about evangelism and their OA’s at same, and to Deborah and Ken for their never tiring and always valued support and encouragement to me personally, and to Phil for sharing with me his beautiful heart of love and compassion for the poor and for teaching me practical, effective, and loving ways to do this ministry.

Besides the dog collar comment, Deborah also counseled me at the outset of this adventure to ask God to take me so far out (of my comfort zone) that I couldn’t find my way back. I did and He did and there is now no thought of looking back. Every person I meet and every situation I have the privilege of addressing is filled with God moments and God interventions. What a life! What a blessing! What a God!

By: deborah

deborah — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:28:46 +0000

Hey Just Me…

Good thoughts. As Christians God calls us to be “first lovers.” As in “We love God because he loved us first.” Love involves emulation. If we love God we will become like him/her. We will love people before they have the chance to love us… we will be “First Lovers.” That’s what I like so much about what Gail and people like you do. It makes the world a more beautiful place in which to thrive for those who have missed the benefit of a supporting community.Like my friend Barb Henderson tells me God is most pleased when he/she catches us loving people.

By: Just Me

Just Me — Mon, 14 May 2007 05:07:31 +0000

Hi. I was reading the article on Yahoo and it brought me here and I read this blog and it is very interesting. I am always interested in hearing about different spirituality beliefs. I am a Science based Pagan Agnostic. It’s like one who wishes to adhere to Paganism, but allows influence from the beliefs in the world and feels nothing compares to scientific evidence. ’ So, having said that, I work with the public in Vancouver Washington and really enjoy most every minute of it, and learn from all of it. I like to hear the views of people and really enjoy hearing about people giving to other people without preaching to them. I am impressed with people who set aside their interests in converting others and put humanity at the forefront. Let’s face it, being friendly to each other, being a good shoulder to lean on and a listening ear is a dying venue of social conduct. At today’s million mile an hour pace, just waving hello to someone is out of sync with current “don’t look don’t tell” ethics. It is nice to know that Christians and others are still pressing forth to bridge the gaps and cement human relationships with some basic principles of love and respect and charity. Thank you.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 09 May 2007 04:11:33 +0000

the world doesn’t always belong to the young, it belongs to the young at heart

Now that will preach

By: deborah

deborah — Tue, 08 May 2007 18:51:21 +0000

Gail, who is my mother, is a rare individual. (I am not biased or anything.) She has a learners heart which has allowed her to keep her experience fresh. I have been to Olympia and let me tell you, the poor and homeless adore her because she sees them as equals which gives them dignity. Something that is hard to come by when you are down and out.

Excellent article Pam, thank you for showing us that the world doesn’t always belong to the young, it belongs to the young at heart.