The call to our parish to donate canned goods to Star Gospel was heard, and we received two Suburbans (thank you, Jill and Jennie!) and a small SUV filled with bags of canned goods, rice, pasta, etc. Thank you to the St. Philip’s office and to Lea and Rachel for helping coordinate and make the copies of the flyers. Thank you to all who handed out bags, donated, and loaded cars!

We made a delivery Monday morning after the storm, and the Rev. Dr. Marion Platt, Executive Director, and three residents welcomed us and were overjoyed as we unloaded and stocked their pantry and storage. We made more deliveries later in the week as bags continued coming in with the snow storm extension.

Star Gospel is Charleston’s oldest independent Christian charity. Its mission is to transform lives through Jesus Christ by compassionately providing resources (such as this drive) for the men living there experiencing hardships. Residents are required to have a job, do chores, and attend church service Sunday mornings. The goal is always to minister and teach while giving them a sense of dignity and showing them the love of Jesus. They then transition to an apartment––a fresh start at living independently. (It is a hand-up, not just a hand-out).

What is incredibly exciting is that Star Gospel is in the process of providing housing for women and children within the next year. They are renovating housing behind Star Gospel, and they have property to build a few more homes in phases.

Through this drive, the Home Missions Team hopes you have learned more about one of our mission partners. We pray that it has touched your heart, and perhaps you have been able to involve your children or grandchildren by showing them how we can help others less fortunate and in need. (Our preschool, children’s choirs, youth group, and Sunday school classes participated as well).

Please consider visiting one of our Mission partners in the future. It is a wonderful way to witness firsthand how St. Philip’s donations and volunteer efforts are used to help those in need in the name of Christ.

Star Gospel offers tours the last Wednesday of every month from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Sign up at stargospelmission.orgstargospelmission.org.