The Way Out Ministries grew out of a desire in the hearts of Barry Bruce and his girlfriend, Terryl Horton, to lead the children living in Hawaiian Gardens, California toward the right path (Proverbs 22:6).
One Sunday, Barry and Terryl looked out upon the depressed barrio from the locked fence of their church and felt convicted to reach out to the people there and help guide them to the path of peace found in Jesus.
These two young adults, along with Ken Derek, their youth pastor, and Rich Guthrie, a concerned church member, organized a weeklong vacation Bible School program during spring break that they named "Resurrection Celebration." About 60 children attended this successful event and many of those children received Christ! Among these new young Christians were a brother and sister, Michael and Rachael. At the end of the program, they did not want to go home and sincerely asked, "Where do we go now?"
When the two children invited Barry and Terryl into their neighborhood and into their home to meet their mother, their eyes and hearts were opened to a city where drugs, alcoholism, neglectful parents, and gangs were commonplace. They had a strong desire to make God known to those who lived in darkness; however, their church leadership was largely unmoved. Overwhelmed with the great task before them, Barry and Terryl continued to befriend Michael and Rachael, but any plans for ministry to the city faded.
Barry and Terryl were soon married and went overseas as short-term missionaries on board the mercy ship The Anastasis with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). While overseas, God made clear a calling that would take them back home to America to become missionaries to the people of Hawaiian Gardens. With the support of a few members of El Dorado Park Church and the eventual encouragement of the church's leadership, the couple incorporated as a ministry on May 7, 1984 with less than $100 in the bank.
When the two children invited Barry and Terryl into their neighborhood and into their home to meet their mother, their eyes and hearts were opened to a city where drugs, alcoholism, neglectful parents, and gangs were commonplace. They had a strong desire to make God known to those who lived in darkness; however, their church leadership was largely unmoved. Overwhelmed with the great task before them, Barry and Terryl continued to befriend Michael and Rachael, but any plans for ministry to the city faded.
Barry and Terryl were soon married and went overseas as short-term missionaries on board the mercy ship The Anastasis with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). While overseas, God made clear a calling that would take them back home to America to become missionaries to the people of Hawaiian Gardens. With the support of a few members of El Dorado Park Church and the eventual encouragement of the church's leadership, the couple incorporated as a ministry on May 7, 1984 with less than $100 in the bank.
The Way Out Ministries was chosen as the name for the ministry organization, named for the way of escape provided by Jesus from the pain and heartache that life in the inner-city can bring. In order to share this message (John 14:6) The Way Out Ministries, operating out of the Bruce's home, reached out to the community in deed and truth (1 John 3:18). As a result of being introduced by Michael and Rachael to the people and the structure of the gang, the Bruces created an alternative gang program for boys named "Survivors."
Survivors' first mountain trip nearly ended the club and the ministry when a driver, who perished in the accident, crashed into the Bruce's van, injuring four children and three adults. When Terryl, who narrowly escaped death by the grace of God, recovered a year later and was able to walk again, The Way Out added the Victors Club, a girls' version of Survivors, and Kid's Corner for children ages 4-8.
Survivors' first mountain trip nearly ended the club and the ministry when a driver, who perished in the accident, crashed into the Bruce's van, injuring four children and three adults. When Terryl, who narrowly escaped death by the grace of God, recovered a year later and was able to walk again, The Way Out added the Victors Club, a girls' version of Survivors, and Kid's Corner for children ages 4-8.
The Bruce home was overflowing with children attending the weekly clubs and the numbers were growing. In 1986, El Dorado Park Church opened their hearts and their doors for The Way Out Ministries to use their facilities for their weekly clubs; attendance skyrocketed!
The Way Out Ministries continued to grow. In 1989 the ministry received a $155,000 grant from the Reformed Church in America (RCA). That year Meredith Drive Reformed Church (MDRC) from Des Moines, Iowa also became the first out-of-state church to partner with The Way Out. MDRC has since continued their support and encouraged partnerships nationwide. Through partnerships like this, The Way Out Ministries has traveled throughout the United States to raise awareness in churches about the work of The Way Out Ministries.
In 1990 The Way Out Ministries, impressed by the love and generosity of the RCA/ Classis of California, under the direction of Western Field Secretary, Chester Droog, joined the Reformed Church in America as a mission affiliate. That partnership awarded the ministry immediately with speaking engagements throughout the United States. As awareness in RCA churches grew, so did the financial commitments to the ministry and thereby its outreach in the inner city. In 1992 a 2000 square foot storefront was leased by The Way Out Ministries by putting the RCA grant funds to use.
The Way Out Ministries continued to grow with new programs being added and within 3 years of leasing the storefront location, the facility was outgrown.
Miraculously, in September of 1995, God provided the opportunity for The Way Out Ministries to purchase a 9,427 square foot building right in the heart of the Hawaiian Gardens' barrio. On December 9, 1995 The Way Out Ministries held its grand opening of the facility.
Ministry growth steadily continued. Based upon an observed need in student education for more individual attention and spiritual development, The Way Out Ministries' Christian Academy was established in 1997 with a 7th grade class. From that first year, a new grade was added annually.
The Way Out Ministries continued to grow. In 1989 the ministry received a $155,000 grant from the Reformed Church in America (RCA). That year Meredith Drive Reformed Church (MDRC) from Des Moines, Iowa also became the first out-of-state church to partner with The Way Out. MDRC has since continued their support and encouraged partnerships nationwide. Through partnerships like this, The Way Out Ministries has traveled throughout the United States to raise awareness in churches about the work of The Way Out Ministries.
In 1990 The Way Out Ministries, impressed by the love and generosity of the RCA/ Classis of California, under the direction of Western Field Secretary, Chester Droog, joined the Reformed Church in America as a mission affiliate. That partnership awarded the ministry immediately with speaking engagements throughout the United States. As awareness in RCA churches grew, so did the financial commitments to the ministry and thereby its outreach in the inner city. In 1992 a 2000 square foot storefront was leased by The Way Out Ministries by putting the RCA grant funds to use.
The Way Out Ministries continued to grow with new programs being added and within 3 years of leasing the storefront location, the facility was outgrown.
Miraculously, in September of 1995, God provided the opportunity for The Way Out Ministries to purchase a 9,427 square foot building right in the heart of the Hawaiian Gardens' barrio. On December 9, 1995 The Way Out Ministries held its grand opening of the facility.
Ministry growth steadily continued. Based upon an observed need in student education for more individual attention and spiritual development, The Way Out Ministries' Christian Academy was established in 1997 with a 7th grade class. From that first year, a new grade was added annually.
The school was rapidly growing and principal and teacher, Terryl Bruce needed administrative help. That help was realized in Terry Turner, He had retired early as assistant principal from La Mirada High School, and had come to The Way Out to volunteer as a math teacher. (Oddly enough, Mr. Turner had once been Terryl's high school teacher.) Soon Mr. Turner was volunteering to help with administrative duties to take the load off Terryl. Mr. Turner was the calm in the storm, and helped to organize the school in its early stages. Everyone felt his warmth and love for the staff and students. By the fall of 2000, Terry Turner had signed on as principal of the academy, but his tenure with us would be cut short. In December of 2001, Mr. Turner, and his mother and father-in-law were killed in an automobile accident that left his wife Robin as the sole survivor. Even in his death Mr. Turner continued to bless the academy. Donations made in his name helped to furnish the school with a state of the art computer lab, which he had always desired for his students. His wife, Robin, also continues working with us as our trusted bookkeeper. In November of 2002 the Terry Turner Memorial Library and Computer Lab was opened to our students.
In June of 2003, The Way Out Ministries' Christian Academy graduated its first senior class! The graduation was bitter-sweet as they recalled the loss of Mr. Turner but the school continued to grow and added teachers to the staff.
In February of 2006, the board of directors of The Way Out Ministries, principal, Terryl Bruce, and staff voted unanimously to change the name of the school to Turner Christian High School. The school logo and signage were officially changed over to reflect the new name in September of 2006.
In June of 2003, The Way Out Ministries' Christian Academy graduated its first senior class! The graduation was bitter-sweet as they recalled the loss of Mr. Turner but the school continued to grow and added teachers to the staff.
In February of 2006, the board of directors of The Way Out Ministries, principal, Terryl Bruce, and staff voted unanimously to change the name of the school to Turner Christian High School. The school logo and signage were officially changed over to reflect the new name in September of 2006.
After school youth groups flourished and many of the young people began to lead their families to Christ through their witness. As a result, the adult ministries began to grow and pastor Fernando Pujol was added to the staff to focus on adult evangelism and discipleship. Tulare Community Church, in Tulare California, generously funded the new staff member's salary. Easter of 2002 brought especially exciting plans to fruition at The Way Out Ministries with the first bilingual (Spanish, English) Celebration Service of The Gardens' Christian Fellowship!
One year and a half later, The Gardens Christian Fellowship re-established on the north side of the city as a Spanish speaking Congregation, (Los Jardines) and The Gathering was born at as an English fellowship at The Way Out Ministries led by Rev. Bruce. The Gathering's first services began in December of 2003 with 14 people and rapidly grew!
Each Sunday, The Gathering's unique worship services celebrate God's love for us through exciting contemporary music, creative dramas, heart-touching testimonies and illustrated Bible lessons. These services have led many to accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Weekly programs help keep both adults and youth growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
One year and a half later, The Gardens Christian Fellowship re-established on the north side of the city as a Spanish speaking Congregation, (Los Jardines) and The Gathering was born at as an English fellowship at The Way Out Ministries led by Rev. Bruce. The Gathering's first services began in December of 2003 with 14 people and rapidly grew!
Each Sunday, The Gathering's unique worship services celebrate God's love for us through exciting contemporary music, creative dramas, heart-touching testimonies and illustrated Bible lessons. These services have led many to accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Weekly programs help keep both adults and youth growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
In July of 2007 The Way Out Ministries celebrated the grand opening of its new Student Center. The donated property was originally the site of a notorious bar. Today, the new center houses a large kitchen, multi-purpose room/ classrooms and locker facilities. A place that once encouraged debauchery and addictions in the community is now a place where students and parents alike are taught the Word of God and how to live in harmony with one another. After school tutoring, youth clubs, adult Bible studies, special community outreaches, banquets and food service programs are all offered at the new center. D&W Construction made the new building and additional renovations to The Way Out Ministries. Owner, Don Ward was honored for his generous donations to the work as well as architect Jon Matson who donated his services to the project.
What an exciting time it is for the ministry of The Way Out! God is moving miraculously! Lives are being changed, families are being renewed, and there is "hope for the streets!" The crooked way is being made straight as we point "the way out" of spiritual poverty and hold out the sign to life. If you are not partnering with us, won't you consider joining with us now? Your contributions help keep the dream alive!
