Gerry Charlotte Phelps

Ex-agnostic, ex-far-left radical, ex-university economics teacher, and ex-con.

While teaching economics at the University of Houston, she was arrested for armed robbery, March 22, 1969, and sent to prison with a 35 year sentence. A radical leftist, she worked for civil rights for black people and opposed the war in Viet Nam. The robbery was to fund an anti-war newspaper.

In prison, God convinced her he existed and she became a Christian. Later he called her "to preach good news to the poor." After paroling to California in 1976 she went to seminary and was ordained a minister in the United Methodist Church. She pastored 3 churches (1 Hispanic) which all grew rapidly, and taught "Fruitful Church Growth" to pastors in 2 states.

She also started and ran 2 large homeless shelters in Bakersfield and San Jose, and a charity in Austin to help people exit welfare. All had high success rates. In the process, step by step, she moved from left to right politically.

Though no longer actively pastoring a church, she consults and writes. Her story can be read (free) at www.outoftheironfurnace.blogspot.com. It also can be purchased at www.zygotebooks.com.

For more information, see: http://locustsandhoney.blogspot.com/2005/09/methodist-blogger-profile-gerry.html; and Marquis' "Who's Who In America."