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Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009
Merced County Jail Ministry celebrates 20 years
The Merced County Jail Ministry will celebrate its 20th anniversary from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at Gateway Community Church, 353 E. Donna Drive, Merced.
Carole and Bill King started Jail Ministry 20 years ago at the Merced County Jail.
While in seminary, King preached at the San Jose Rescue Mission and decided to devote himself to a street ministry.
King graduated from Golden State Seminary at age 59 and was the pastor at a little church in Armona when he learned that the Ministerial Association of Merced was praying for a chaplain at the jail.
Bill ministered to the men and he and Carole the women.
When the John Latorraca facility on Sandy Mush Road was opened, more chaplains were added. Joel Kemps was brought on board to help with the men and Sandy Sebesta became the first female Chaplain.
At that time, the Ministry established and administered a GED program for the men housed at the John Latorraca facility. Over time, more than 200 men completed the program and received their high school diplomas.
Their recidivism rate fell from 75 percent to 25 percent.
A few years ago the GED program was discontinued because of changes in the jail population, a problem encountered state-wide. Twenty years ago, most of the inmates were charged with misdemeanor, but now almost all of the inmates are charged with felonies.
But with the help of the Sheriff's Department, the Ministry is now in the process of re-establishing a new GED program.
In March, Bill King passed away; Kemps retired in January; and Sebesta is now the chaplain at the State Women's facility in Chowchilla.
Lance Marshall has taken over as chaplain, Carole King is the women's chaplain and Debbe Newman is the associate women's chaplain.
About 25 volunteers from various churches and organizations help out at the county jail.
Tax free donations may be made to: Merced County Jail Ministry, P.O. Box 1221, Merced, CA 95341.
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