Shining Brightly Since 1904 Transforming Hearts and Lives Through Jesus Christ Putting the Past in the Past by Pastor Christian
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Star Gospel Mission Fall 2012 The Newsletter of the Star Gospel Mission, Charleston, South Carolina Shining brightly since 1904 Transforming hearts and lives through Jesus Christ Putting the past in the past By Pastor Christian. An interview with a cur- Did you ever graduate? would fight. rent resident, Carl Hey- I didn’t. Four years of col- 474 Meeting Street ward What do you recall about lege, no degree. your relationship with The Rev. William K. Christian Tell me a little bit about God during those years? yourself. Executive Director I’ve got to relate that to my Tel. 843-722-0980 I grew up in Orangeburg, brother Todd. There were SC, the older of two boys, times when we would and lived there until age dress up in my Mom’s and 19. I was somewhat of an aunt Lotti’s choir robes. § outstanding basketball We played church. We player in SC. In my soph- would pretend to preach. Board of Directors omore year I was voted One day my brother Todd Best of the Rest. Two Di- got really excited about James Buxton, Chairman vision One schools recruit- preachin’ and that’s when I Dr. Thomas Cook ed me. I ended up with a realized that there was Dan David full scholarship to Alder- something special about son Broaddus College in Chris Dugan Carl Heyward going to church. I noticed Philippi, WV. a difference in him and in Manly Eubank Tell me a little bit more myself. We were baptized, David H. Garner So you went to college on about your life growing and what I understood was John Ott a full scholarship. How up in Orangeburg with that once I was baptized I did that go? your parents and brother James Kerr was saved. But did I live before you left for col- Dwight L. Moody, Jr. College and basketball did- that life? No. I didn’t William Moody, Jr. n’t go well for me. In my lege. learn to depend on God John L. Pardee, Jr. freshman year I started I would say it was a house until years later. drugs and alcohol for the divided. My mother W. Reid Patrick, Jr. Could you describe what first time in my life and it played the organ at one of John A. Stuhr happened after you left was all downhill from the local churches. We did W. Floyd Whitfield college? there. I ended up in three go to church every Sun. different schools because Daddy didn’t go. He’d I actually had professional of the drugs and alcohol. only go every blue moon. tryouts after that for over- § In my senior year, my bas- He was a drug addict; he seas teams. I had offers, ketball scholarship was cut was what you would call a but I turned them down. I due to grades. I was functional addict. He al- was livin’ with a young placed on academic proba- ways helped out and al- lady in Nashville, I was Design and layout: tion and eventually cut ways paid the bills. Every workin’ two jobs, and from the roster. Ben Bennett now and then he and Mom Continued, page 4 Page 2 The Star Gospel Mission From the Executive Director This is the time of year when many of us review our financial blessings and consider making charitable contributions for the current year and annual commitments for the year to come. As you make those commitments, I sincerely hope that you will consider making a generous gift to the Star Gospel Mission, Charleston’s oldest not-for-profit Christian welfare organization, circa 1904. For over 108 years we have been serving the homeless and needy throughout this community in a very significant way, by assisting them with housing, food, clothing, rent, utilities assistance, emergency medical and transportation needs, and a wide array of other services. Please note that the Mission is a 501c3 organization and all contributions are tax deductible. Also note that we do not receive any monies from the local, state or federal government! Your generosity will help transform the lives of men who are in need of a second chance and a brand new beginning. Our thanks to you in advance of your generous gift! Always remember that the giver is the primary beneficiary of the gift. Faithfully yours, The Rev. William K. Christian, III A Life Well Lived His kindness and spirit of and undefiled before God and generosity toward these the Father is this: to visit or- In remembrance of Furman Fletcher Cole, 1947 -2012 men was self-evident, and phans and widows in their yet always without want- affliction.” James 1:27. Furman Cole passed away Furman was selflessly de- ing to bring credit to him- on August 30 at the age of voted to his wife of 38 self. What he did for the 64. Furman served as years, Martha, and his two Mission was always done That’s exactly what Furman Chairman of the Board at daughters, Elizabeth and without any fanfare and Cole did! One of his friends the Star Gospel Mission Ellen. He was a member with a very humble heart. told me that “Furman was uni- for over 20 years. He was of St. Michael’s Episcopal versally loved and regarded born in Charleston on Oc- Church, The Society of by everyone that knew him. tober 27, 1947. After Colonial Wars, Saint An- That emanated from his gen- serving in the Navy for drews Society, Sons of the erosity of spirit. He always four years, he attended the American Revolution, The spoke from his heart, he loved Citadel, graduating with a New England Society, The his family deeply; that came BA in history in 1973. Charleston Club and The from his true character and he Furman and his identical Carolina Yacht Club. He always placed those values twin brother, Roy, went on also served as Vice Presi- first.” to establish R.F. Cole dent of The Agricultural Construction Company Society. Furman gave so much of him- and Brewers Paint Center. self to the Star Gospel Mis- The same boundless com- sion and he will be sorely mitment he showed to his As Chairman of the Board missed. For a life well lived, historic renovation of at the Star Gospel Mission, for a faith beautifully ex- homes in downtown Furman was deeply com- pressed through how he lived, Charleston and Yeoman’s mitted to a strong ministry and for the life he now lives, Hall Club was also evident reaching out to formerly life with God, eternal life, we in his tireless dedication to homeless men in Charles- Furman Cole say: thanks be to God! the community and espe- ton. He possessed a heart Faithfully, cially the Star Gospel Mis- and passion for these or- In his epistle, James writes sion. phaned men in our society. that “Religion that is pure Pastor Christian Shining Brightly for 108 years Page 3 Volunteers from the St. Vin- Left to Right, Maggie Schachte, Mary Moody and cent DePaul Society and Elisa Cheney, from Charleston law firm Dr. George Orvin bringing all the fixins’ The Neighborhood House. Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, loading the Mission for Christmas Dinner to residents at the van with Thanksgiving Dinner, 2011. Mission. A MAN’S WORST MOMENT IS NOT THE SUM OF HIS LIFE! We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. Volunteers who helped hand out 1,000 $50 Dr. Tom Cook and The Rev. William Good Cheer Fund food gift cards. Christian after receiving a $5,505.00 check from the Exchange Club of Charleston for the renovation of 89 Nassau Street. Always remember that: THE PRIMARY BEN- EFICIARY OF THE GIFT IS THE GIVER. Please join us in keeping the ministry of the Star Gospel Mission thriving by sending your tax de- Serving at the Grace Church Tea Room. Left ductible contributions in to Right are: The Rev. Philip Porcher, M.E. the envelope enclosed. Colin Kerr and Aaron Gruber, young Canaday, The Rev. William Christian. All adult leaders at Second Presbyterian de- Tea Room proceeds go to supporting local livering a pizza dinner for residents at charities like the SGM. the Mission. Page 4 The Star Gospel Mission Putting the past in the past (cont. from Page 1) thought that what I was doin’ was could tell my wife that I was enough for me. I talked with my doing something for us. Then I father one day who was living in got stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. NY. He was there because he and In 1988 I brought my wife and my mother had gotten into a fight her daughter there and in 1989 and he pushed my mother and I we got married. We attended drew back to hit him. He put his 76th Street Chapel. My wife hands up to stop me and I told joined the choir and I coached him, don’t you ever put your hands the women’s softball team. I on my mother again. Shortly after went to serve in the Gulf War The line for the Star Gospel Mission that, he left and never came back. for eight months. When I got food card giveaway. back, my wife had moved back What happened after that? to SC and the bottom fell out of Photo courtesy of the Post and Courier. Dad and I always stayed in touch. my life. The girlfriend I was living with in Why do you say the bottom Nashville got into it one night and GOD’S GOODNESS I told myself that night, if I don’t fell out? leave here I’ll never leave.