Adam Leathers – Rappelling For Addiction Treatment Awareness

Saint Paul alum Adam Leathers lives out social justice daily.

Adam graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 2008.  While in seminary, he served as student pastor at Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist Church, a congregation comprised of mainly homeless individuals.

Adam developed a passion for working with the marginalized.

Appointed to Wellston, Oklahoma, he began work with Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries (CJAMM) of the Oklahoma Annual Conference.

“I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:36

Adam now serves as senior pastor of Penn Avenue Redemption United Methodist Church and Executive Director of Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries of the Oklahoma Annual Conference.

Rev. Leathers explained that Exodus House works to help ex-inmates find the proper resources and treatments for their addiction and reintegrate into society.

“When inmates are released, they often received $50 and a bus ticket when they get out. A lot of them don’t have a long-term place to go. A lot of them don’t have a short term place to go,” Leathers said.

Exodus House records show 197 former inmates have participated in the Oklahoma City program since 2008. Of those 197 former inmates, 81 completed the program, 43 relapsed and 25 returned to prison.

[av_gallery ids=’2105,2109,2103,2107,2106,2104′ style=’thumbnails’ preview_size=’portfolio’ crop_big_preview_thumbnail=’avia-gallery-big-crop-thumb’ thumb_size=’medium’ columns=’6′ imagelink=’aviaopeninbrowser aviablank noLightbox’ lazyload=’deactivate_avia_lazyload’]

On May 12th, Adam decided to promote addiction treatment awareness in another way by entering as a climber at the Sandridge Energy Building. He took the Shatterproof Challenge – rappelling down the entire building. And his coworkers had his back! Adam made sure to wear a CJAMM T-shirt signifying that he was rappelling for Oklahoma Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries.

We are so proud to say that Adam is a Saint Paul alum!