Star Gospel Mission Fall 2009 The Newsletter of the Star Gospel Mission, Charleston, South Carolina Shining brightly since 1904 Looking for a hand up, not a hand out Based on an interview con- everyday life. 7 times over a 20 year period. ducted by Pastor Christian 16 out of 40 years of my life Tell me a little about your with a former resident, Bryan have been behind bars. past and how you came to 474 Meeting Street Sessions. this realization. It began When did all of this start? Charleston, SC 29403 Christian: Bryan, what when I stopped taking my Actually, it all started when I brought you to the Star medications. Each time I was14 years old living in a The Rev. William K. Christian Gospel Mission ? Sessions: stopped I ended up in prison. military family in Saratoga Executive Director In a word, hope brought me I’ve been in prison 7 times for Springs, NY. When my father here. I’d just turned 40, had the same crime, writing bad was transferred to a base in Tel. 843-722-0980 just been released from checks. Part of being bipolar Charleston, my mother told prison, and I was lost. I could and not taking my medication me that he was not my real have gone home to Mom and meant that I needed some- father and that my last name Dad, but I had pride and was not Sessions. My real § worth and decided it was time father had divorced my for me to become the man mother and was living in that I was supposed to be. So, Ohio. I even went to visit Board of Directors on Sept 9, 2008, I knocked on him, but returned to Charles- Furman F. Cole, Chairman your door at the Star Gospel ton to live with my mother Mission. Lots of guys come and step father. When I was Dr. Thomas Cook to SGM for a hand out but I 21 I started writing bad Dan David was there asking for a hand checks and began running Samuel S. Dugan up. from the police. I went to visit my father for a second Manly Eubank What do you mean by a time. While I was there, we David H. Garner hand up? I wanted to learn got into a bad argument, he more about who Jesus Christ John Ott took out a pistol, a 44 mag- was and how He was starting James Kerr num, and shot me in the leg. to work in my life. I couldn’t Following two surgeries I Dwight L. Moody, Jr. understand it and I wanted to went back to South Carolina. William Moody, Jr. make Him the focal point of Bryan Sessions John L. Pardee, Jr. my life and begin to learn Since then Bryan and his some new life skills, like how mother and step father have W. Reid Patrick, Jr. to be a productive citizen, thing to soothe the depres- resolved their differences. Greaton W. Sellers, II how to budget money, how to Through the grace of God, (Honorary Member) sion. I would go to the store deal with my mental disabil- and write checks for whatever their relationship has been John A. Stuhr ity (bi-polar type 1), how to I wanted, with no limits. For restored. be responsible, how to get up W. Floyd Whitfield me, it was always, I’m not out I asked Bryan if he had ever and go to work everyday and of money until I’m out of forgiven his real father for enjoy what I do. These are all checks. Because I knew the shooting him. He said: I skills that my parents instilled consequences of what I was forgave my father for shoot- in me, yet somewhere along § doing I would then get more ing me the day he died. I the line I forgot them. I felt depressed. I knew what was even went to Ohio for his that with hard work and dedi- going to happen. I knew that funeral; it was a real experi- Design and layout: cation I could learn these I was going to get locked up. ence. He was the Chapter skills and apply them to my Ben Bennett That’s how I was incarcerated Please see Sessions, page 4 Page 2 The Star Gospel Mission What is the Star Gospel Mission? The Star Gospel Mission is Our actual cost to house a that we offer an interde- now entering into its 106 th man for one week at the nominational worship ser- year of operation, predating Mission is $195.00. With vice every Sunday morning all other Christian welfare $90.00 paid by each resi- and encourage all of our organizations in the Port dent, the balance, $105.00, residents to attend. We pro- City. For over a century it comes from individuals, vide job placement counsel- has been a landmark beacon churches, grants, founda- ing to assist men in finding Left to Right: Matthew Crooks to men who, for a myriad of tions, civic organizations gainful employment. We (Mission Cook/Custodian), Gap reasons, find themselves and businesses. We receive collect and distribute cloth- Employees: Julia Booher, without a place they can call no federal or state funds ing to residents and other Sheena Olson, Sarah Wolf, home. The Mission provides whatsoever. needy persons throughout Julia Hall (Gap Manager), Pas- up to 25 homeless men with the community. Through tor Christian. The Gap employ- All of our residents are ei- a clean, safe, comfortable the generosity of the Good ees collected 7 large boxes of ther currently employed or environment, within a Chris- Cheer Fund, each fall we gently used jeans, tee shirts and receive a veteran’s pension tian atmosphere, where they distribute over a thousand tops for distribution through or a disability check. Men can experience a new begin- $50.00 gift cards to needy SGM. of all ethnic backgrounds, ning, a fresh start and a new people throughout the com- faiths and walks of life re- lease on life. munity. side at the Mission. Quite often people mistake The sheer fact that the Star We provide a structured the Star Gospel Mission for Gospel Mission is still in community where residents Crisis Ministry, a facility existence after 105 years of can begin to adopt improved which is only three blocks doing the ministry we do for moral and ethical principles away from the Mission. To the homeless men in for living a more whole- make the distinction, Crisis Charleston, says that what some, fulfilling life. We Ministry is a shelter that we are doing is highly ef- Choir from Berea Baptist attempt to help our redidents houses men, women and fective. Over that period of Church, Greer, SC. adopt the A.B.C.A.S. stan- children on an overnight ba- time, we have helped thou- dard, meaning that they be- sis. The Star Gospel Mission sands of men make life- gin to work on improving is a transitional housing fa- transforming changes; their Actions, Behavior, cility, where men reside up to changes that have enabled Conduct, Attitudes and an entire year. It costs noth- them to become independ- Speech. In psychological ing to stay at Crisis Ministry. ent, productive citizens terms that’s referred to as: At the Star Gospel our resi- within our community. systematic behavioral modi- dents pay $90.00 per week. With your continued faith- fication. Without making ful and generous support some rather significant our future promises to be a changes in their lives, per- First Baptist Church Youth Always remember that: bright one. Choir, Rhonda, NC. sonal growth and improve- THE PRIMARY ment will not occur. To Yours faithfully, assist our men with this en- BENEFICIARY OF The Rev. William Christian THE GIFT IS THE deavor, we provide individ- GIVER. ual counseling for drug, al- cohol and other addictive Please join us in keeping behaviors, family and mari- the ministry of the Star tal difficulties and past There’s nothing we Gospel Mission thriving criminal records. We do not can do to make God admit registered sex offend- love us any more by sending your tax de- ers because of the obvious ductible contributions in than He already liability concerns. does and nothing we Dinner prepared by members the envelope enclosed. of St. Stephen’s Choir. Six Several other interesting can do to make Him home-made dinners served at facts you might wish to love us any less! SGM annually. know about the Mission are Shining Brightly for 105 years Page 3 In memory of the Rev. Victor Morgan Dukes September 28, 1930 – May 2, 2009 In this newsletter we mark the 1976-1985 he served as the was the Director of General Mission to its original pur- passing of the Rev. Victor Coordinator of Resources Services for Americans pose, which was preaching Morgan Dukes of Maggie for the Baptist Joint Com- United for the Separation of and teaching the Gospel of Valley, NC, Superintendent of mittee on Public Affairs and Church and State in Wash- Christ to all its residents.” the Star Gospel Mission from ington, DC. The News and Courier , 1990-1996. Rev. Dukes was March 13, 1990. called home to be with the Rev. Duke’s last call to pro- Lord on May 2. He was born fessional ministry was at the Rev. Duke’s touched many in St. George, SC on Septem- Star Gospel Mission. lives with the Gospel of ber 28, 1930. He graduated Dukes assumed the position Christ’s love during his six from Mars Hill College, of Superintendent under the years at the Mission.