Posted by Rachel on: 01.27.2008 /
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 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?
We wanted to follow-up Pam’s interview by letting our OTM community know that City Gates Ministries now has a website. You can check out their site to learn more about CGM’s programs and services, to sign up for their newsletter, or to meet some of their friends and discover their unique stories. Thanks, Gail and CGM for all you do!
Comment by: Pam Hogeweide
1interviewing Gail was a total delight and inspiration. She is an ordinary woman who just loves on some of the most vulnerable people in her community. What she and City Gate Ministries are doing is the presence of Jesus in their town. I am so pleased to see an update about them posted here.
Comment by: Maura Garrett
2Thank you for the kind comments about City Gates Ministries. One of the best things about being a volunteer and a board member with CGM is knowing Gail Wells.
I have to take exception with you calling her “ordinary”. She has energy, drive and wisdom that I can only hope for someday. She is kind while being streetsmart. She is compassionate and caring while not putting up with much whining, self pity or garbage. She is equally adept as a leader and a team player. She is an excellent board secretary and an even better executive director.
When I have witnessed her preaching, God is truly present. When she preached at Kingdom Women events, she has moved women to tears. I know that she has saved souls-and saved lives. She has helped me in times of deep depression due to a family member’s catostrophic illness. Gail goes above and beyond what CGM asks of her. I have literally worked shoulder to her elegant shoulder for hours and she is unflagging. Like the rest of us, she has faults but Gail exemplies the best in women and I am so proud that she is part of my life.
City Gates Ministries would not be what it is today without her. She is responsible, as the Executive Director, along with the board and all our volunteers, for the growth and good will that CGM has been able to share within Thurston County. God has blessed CGM richly. We have been able to share the gospel with many people and asisst with basic needs, stabilizing many and helping people help themselves off the streets. It’s not easy work and the hours get crazy due to people’s needs but Gail does it all with style and God’s grace.
Gail has an excellent relationship with her daughter, Deborah Loyd, Pastor of the Bridge church in Portland. I truly hope that my daughter, Mariah, now 11, and I will have the same kind of close, loving and Christ centered relationship that they have. I couldn’t think of a better role model…or friend…or pastor…or Executive Director.
I invite anyone reading this blog to come join us at City Gates Ministries. Come out and get to know Gail, and the rest of us. There are some truly wonderful people-Phil, Gary and Kathy, Mary, Kathy and Wayne and Robin working with Gail to transform lives here in Thurston County.
God bless you!
Joyfully yours,
Maura
Comment by: Randy
3Man…Portland has all the cool women! Pam, Deborah, and now Gail! Thanks for the update and the links. Great stuff.
Comment by: Benjamin
4Randy,
dude,
Portland is great. But …
“all the kewl women”?
Just to keep a live a little regional …. pride alive here, Seattle is about 50 times cooler than Portland (actually only 47). Sorry ’bout that. I mean for one thing, Megan is in Seattle. =p
And Jim Wallis is coming here soonish. And Brian McClaren’s Deep Shift thing. And the New Conspirators thing. And MHGS is here. And Seattle U. And to some extent OTM is based here.
And the Gates Foundation. and … a giant sturgeon, weighing 675 pounds and some 11 feet long, found floating in Lake Washington, dead, on November 6, 1987. I mean what does Portland have to compare with that?
Comment by: Maura Garrett
5Ahhh! Gail’s ours. She belongs in Olympia, Washington but we share her with Portland because she’s got a kewl daughter.
Seriously, I hope to get to know Deborah better as time goes on.