Meet Mama T
Toni Leone Gatlin is known as Mama T. She is a Christian, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loves teaching and helping people discover God’s love and their life through Jesus Christ her Lord. Her philosophy is simple: “Faith, Hope, and Love in God.”
Oregon is Toni’s native home where she was raised by her precious Grandmother Octavia. Toni’s early years were scarred by abandonment and sexual abuse, which led to years of a promiscuous lifestyle rooted in seeds of fear, anger, and loneliness.
Shortly after graduating from High School, Toni lived in an abusive marriage for nine years. Then, she divorced and lived a single-parent life. She found pseudo security in Martial Arts Culture as an acclaimed black belt artist.
In these struggling times, Toni met Jesus her Savior and Lord. Shortly after, she met and married Walter J. Gatlin, (known as Papa Walt).
Papa Walt and Mama T served for many years in gang ministry with Pastors Kelly and Sara Cohoe. Together they birthed a mobile outreach from their youngest son, LaMont called Love by Example. They also hosted a weekly podcast entitled, “The Gift of Life.” Toni and Walt served at C3 Church under Pastors, Seth and Kaz Brooks in Northeast Portland.
After 36 years of marriage and ministry, on May 7, 2021, Papa Walt left for Heaven due to COVID-19. Toni’s lost love and best friend would be the grief to cause Toni to sink or swim. Toni is a fighter at heart and never likes wasting loss or failure, so she chose to swim. This meant that she would choose to trust God, and allow His healing, lubricant love to be her catalyst in Papa’s absence.
Remembering Papa
Toni draws from the life she finds in the Word of God.
Her favorite scriptures include:
- 2 Corinthians 5:7—For we walk by faith, not by sight.
- Galatians 2:20—I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
- Galatians 4:19—My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! (ESV)
Her favorite book is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, especially his instructions about being wrapped in the full armor of God, (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Her banner for life is Jeremiah 9:23-24—Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
Toni is the author of many books including, 2 Trees 1 Choice, Thinking Thankful Thoughts and Do You See What I See? (as well as its Companion Study Guide). Her biography, written by Linda Nathan, is entitled The Dark Side of Karate.