Gala and Bill Bender own a Christian halfway house for recently released prison inmates. The halfway house was built by Bill, and is located next to his and Gala's home. In a recent interview, Gala described their ministry and provided pictures of the halfway house.
PF:
Where is Salvation Place located?
Gala: Salvation Place Ministry Halfway House is
located in the southeastern part of Ohio. Our
address is 1825 Twp. Rd. 242, New Straitsville,
OH 43766.
PF: When did Salvation Place begin, and what
made you and your husband decide to start the
ministry at the time that you did?
Gala: It was started in 1998 by my husband—or
let me retract, by God. Bill started as a
volunteer chaplain at the Southeastern Ohio
Regional Jail in Nelsonville, Ohio. Having at
one time in his life been an ex-con, he really
could relate to the men (and women) of the jail.
He went in blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a black
T-shirt. They immediately started talking to
him. They felt easier talking with him than with
someone in a suit and tie.
Bill came home and was talking about how so many [soon to be released prisoners] needed a place to live. Most could not go back to where they came from and/or wanted to change their situations in life and not go back to where they came from. So we prayed about it and came to the conclusion that if it was meant to be, then God would send who He wanted here.

PF: What is the purpose of Salvation Place?
Gala: The purpose is to encourage each one to
live a new life with God as the head (from the
old to the new); to teach better values for a
new life; to introduce each one to a Christian
based church; and to encourage attending church
and daily Bible reading after leaving.
PF: Is the halfway house part of your house,
or is it a separate building next to your home?
Gala: The halfway house is
separate from ours. They have their own kitchen
(stove, refrigerator, sink, microwave); a small
dining area; two baths with a commode and
shower; laundry area; weight bench area; and
living room with a chair, two couches, a TV, and
a stereo. They eat the main evening meal with
Bill and me at the main house (ours). My table
pulls out to seat seven to eight people.
PF: How are you personally involved in the
ministry?
Gala: I am the “mom” here. Most of the guys call
me Mom, no matter how old they are. I do all the
main cooking for them and provide a family
setting. We all eat together at the dining room
table.
I am the one who usually takes them to do their shopping, set up doctor appointments for them, and just be a mom. I encourage and love each and every one, and like most “children,” have to correct and direct them in the right way as best as I can.
PF: What aspect of being involved in this
ministry brings you the most joy?
Gala: The best joy for me is when I see one give
his life to the Lord. Secondly would be to see
that they, even though they may not have
accepted Christ, have beat the drug and alcohol
habit and pray over meals without having to be
reminded.
PF: What aspect is the most challenging for
you?
Gala: Convincing them that Christ is the only
way—not friends, drugs or alcohol. Only Christ
can save them and make them clean.
PF: What, if
anything, about being involved in this ministry
surprised you?
Gala: It surprises me how many of these men
crave acceptance. Some have gone through life
growing up with a single parent and running with
the wrong crowd. They were always put down and
felt a criminal life was the only way to
survive. Another surprising thing is that quite
a few of these men grew up knowing of the Lord,
but chose to live a sinful life. All of them
show me the greatest respect, so they were
taught some morals. They just chose the wrong
path.
PF: What do you wish people understood about
your ministry?
Gala: People need to understand that yes, they
are ex-cons, but we all deserve that second
chance. How many times have we sinned and asked
God to forgive us, and know that He did?
Granted, there are some that just will not
change. But even if all the years that we do
this, only one gives his life for the Lord and
serves Him till he dies, it was worth it all.
It’s not about us. We are only here to serve and
spread the Good News. We need to truly trust in
God, open our hearts and doors and take that
leap of faith. Bring someone in and teach him.
God will never send anyone to hurt you; isn’t He
your protector?
There are very few Christian halfway houses. If the government steps in to help with funding (they say there is no funding) then they can say that we cannot make our guys go to church. One of our rules here is that the guys must attend a Christian based church. (The first ten rules are the ten commandments!) Your donations, prayers, and willingness to support Christian halfway houses is so greatly needed and appreciated. Without them, how will some of these guys learn of Christ?
PF: It sounds as if you and your husband
truly open your hearts and home to the men. How
do you and your husband find time for each other
and your relationship?
Gala: Bill and I really do not have a lot of
time together alone. Sometimes I have a “me”
moment and say, “OK, I need a break.” My idea of
a break is going fishing with him at a nearby
lake. It’s a quiet time. We talk about our
problems or what we can do to help a certain guy
if he should have a specific need, or just to
spend that quiet time together. We do not take
vacations. Someone has to be here to transport
guys to and from work and meetings. It’s OK,
though. Also, we get up really early in the
morning and have coffee together before I go to
work. Basically we just say, “Time Out!”
PF: What are some of the ways you have seen
God's hand in Salvation Place?
Gala: The cost of keeping things going is truly
expensive. Food runs about $850 per month;
electric, $300; water, $120—let alone the
cost of gas, insurance, taxes, and a house
payment of $759. I make only $9.50 per hour, yet
I know that all will be well. I am learning to
have faith in God, because if it weren't for God,
none of this would be in existence. He is the
one who touches the hearts of people who donate
time and money. He is the one who provided the
material to build the halfway house. (We can
house seven guys.) He is the One who at the last
minute when there are shutoff notices for the
utilities, or food is low, provides the needs
here. And He is the One who deserves all the
praise and glory, as always.
PF: Is there anything else you'd like to
share about the ministry, or about reaching out
with Christ's love?
Gala: We believe that all deserve another
chance. Once again, doesn’t Christ give you
second chances?
May God bless each and every one of you, and may you continue to serve Him with a joyful heart.
For more information about Salvation Place, contact Bill or Gala Bender at 740-380-3824.