GASTONIA, N.C. – We were researching a story about a crime that took place in West Gastonia when we came across a small place trying to make a difference in that part of town. Crime In Charlotte (.com) was on hand Thursday night as the Gastonia Street Ministry opened the doors for anyone looking for a sermon and a meal.
It’s just a little place on the west side of downtown Gastonia that serves people who are basically homeless or on drugs or generally down on their luck. “All kinds of people have come through here”, says Joyce Gibby, director of GSM. “We don’t turn anyone away”. They give away clothes and groceries and they feed an estimated 150-200 meals a week.
Joyce Gibby started the Street Ministry – on the streets of Gastonia – in 1997, after a trip to rehab and kicking an addiction to prescription pills. She knew the needs, she knew the people of the streets with their addictions and troubles and she knew where to find them. And she knew that those people needed some hope. Early in the ministry, she would take cigarettes with her, walk under bridges and into woods looking for people to invite to the sermons. “They would listen to me better if I gave them cigarettes”, she said.
I sat in a blue, plastic chair that was too small for my behind. On the wall behind the pulpit was a giant cross crudely built out of particle board. Nothing matched, it smelled a little musty and the greenery in the “sanctuary” was 2 plastic and silk ficas trees that could have used a good dusting. It didn’t really seem like “church”. Absent was any plush carpeting, intricately carved, oak furniture, brass collection plates or ornate, stained glass windows. The ministry did grow and after 2 years of ministering in the parks and streets around Gastonia, Ms. Gibby and her ministry partners were able to get inside. 416 W. Main Ave. became the permanent address in 1999.
Through the month, different local churches take turns bringing the meal and the sermon. Tuckaseege Baptist Church from Mt. Holly is there every 2nd Thursday of the month.
“We love to come here”, says church member Tommy Jinks. “We count it a joy to serve the folks here alongside Miss Gibby.”
Mr. Jinks continued, “We’re called to serve others. 1 John 3:18 says to Love not with words but with actions – and that’s what we do. We love because He loves us. And we try to meet practical needs – like hunger – not just by telling someone ‘Jesus loves you’, but by showing them – with a meal. Our actions are Love in Action. Miss Gibby does that here.”
A few people from the Tuckaseege Choir were there to lead the crowd in hymns, a plate went around and collected up a few dollars and then Pastor Jason Marlowe stepped into the pulpit. He was dressed in faded jeans, a Superman tee-shirt and some black Chuck Taylors. He delivered a raw, unadorned, real, humble message. He stood in the makeshift church and told homeless people to REJOICE! He passionately reminded the people there that no matter what they’ve done, how they’ve lived, what addictions they’re in the grips of – “at the end of the day”, he said, “If we have Jesus nothing else matters.” And the people raised their hands and ‘amened’ to that!
On the menu that night was Meatball Subs, chips and Cherry Dump Cakes for dessert. “Some ladies from the church made the meatballs”, Mr. Jinks pointed to ladies lined up behind the counter to start serving dinner. “We send out an email every month and people just sign up,” he said. “We usually have so much food that we’re able to send left-overs home with people!” There were men and women, young and old, even kids that came from the church. They blended right in with the people – talking to them, eating with them and offering prayers or an ear to listen. One young man named Mason, about 13 years old, acted as a waiter – offering to refill drinks or take people’s plates away. And he was all smiles, genuinely joyful as he offered more dessert to the folks!
There’s a hand-drawn sign on the bulletin board saying “Over 10,000 Souls”. “There’s actually more than that”, Miss Gibby told us. “We just quit changing the sign”.
“Many of those 10,000 have come from lives of crimes, or drugs, straight off the streets”, Gibby said. “I had a prostitute turn her life over to Christ and she was married here – in here – a couple years later! I’ve seen drug addicts completely delivered from their addictions. We’ve had our people go off to jail – and then come back. They give back what they can. If we can help one person turn away from drugs and crime and turn to God – then we’re a success.”
If you would like to help the Gastonia Street Ministry, you can find more information at http://www.gastoniastreetministry.com/
Jonna Bishop Bingham, Published June 15, 2013
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