☕️ At the Table with Star Gospel Mission: A Story of Dignity, Partnership, and Divine Momentum
This week, a few of us from the CBA Women team—Donna (our fearless director), Sheena (our phenomenal event planner), and I—found ourselves in one of those sacred spaces where it feels like God is tugging the threads of many stories into one beautiful tapestry.
We had the privilege of touring Star Gospel Mission, Charleston’s oldest Christian nonprofit, and hearing about a new initiative called Morning Light—a transitional housing program being built for women and children experiencing homelessness in our city.
But the story didn’t start with the tour.
It began with coffee and conversation.
Before we ever stepped foot on campus, Shea Chambers (co-chair of Friends of Morning Light) and Jimmy Kaiser (Mission Director of Development) met us next door at Big Kick Coffee, a little shop tucked beside the Mission (delicious coffee, by the way).
They were gracious with their time—asking about CBA Women and taking the time to hear our heart. We shared how this growing movement of women in Charleston began with a shared ache—a longing for connection, discipleship, and gospel-rooted encouragement. Over the past year and a half, God has knit us together through small groups, gatherings, shared prayers, and a vision not just to receive, but to respond—to see the needs of our city and ask, "How can we be part of God’s work?"
And then they told us about Morning Light.
And honestly? We were undone.
🌇 Morning Light: A Movement Toward Joy
Morning Light is Star Gospel Mission’s newest initiative—and one that’s bringing the Mission full circle. While they’ve faithfully served men since Hurricane Hugo shifted their focus in 1989, their ministry actually began in 1904 with a heart for both men and women.
Now, by the grace of God, they’re expanding again—this time with renewed momentum toward serving women and children.
Their name is drawn from the promise in Psalm 30:
“Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
That’s what Morning Light hopes to be: a place where the night doesn’t get the final word. Where brokenness doesn’t define the whole story. Where women and children in crisis don’t have to be sent away to Columbia or Jacksonville but can stay in Charleston—surrounded by community, rooted in dignity, and held by the kind of care that speaks hope into every detail.
📊 What We Learned
The need is staggering:
621 children are currently experiencing homelessness in Charleston County public schools. That number doesn’t include Dorchester or Berkeley counties, infants, or children separated from their parents due to housing insecurity.
450 people are counted as homeless in Charleston through current “pit counts,” but those only reflect individuals who are visibly seen. Experts estimate the true number may be three to four times higher.
Charleston is, quite simply, anemic in human resources for women and children facing homelessness.
But God is moving.
Morning Light’s vision is bold: to house 50–70 women and children across 3–4 homes on the peninsula. But it’s not just about beds. It’s about support—real, holistic, trauma-informed care:
Life skills training
School partnerships and academic support
Case management and spiritual care
Job readiness and therapy
A playground. A kitchen. A place that feels like home.
They’re not just building shelter. They’re building dignity and offering gospel hope. And one sentiment came up again and again on our tour:
“We want to meet every woman, man, and child who walks through our doors with grace—and with the good news of Jesus Christ.”
🛋️ Walking Through the Mission
The Men’s Campus already radiates that kind of dignity. It’s warm and peaceful, with welcoming artwork and cozy sitting areas—not sterile hallways or cold beds. There’s a small front room where new guests are welcomed—not with paperwork, but with presence.
The first questions they’re asked are:
“What’s your name?”
“Where did you sleep last night?”
“What matters to you right now?”
From there, each person chooses three pathways they want to pursue—from sobriety and stable housing to emotional healing, job training, or reconciliation with family. The staff doesn't just hand them resources—they walk with them.
And that same spirit is what will shape Morning Light.
🙏🏼 We Ended in Prayer
After the tour, we stepped just outside the doors of the Mission and huddled in prayer with Shea.
We prayed for the women and children this ministry will serve.
We prayed for the staff, the chaplains, the volunteers, and the future residents.
We prayed for the churches of Charleston—that we wouldn’t shrink from the numbers, but that we’d remember:
God knows the true number.
He sees the hidden ones. He knows every name.
He is already moving.
We prayed that CBA Women would be a faithful part of what He is doing—that we would discern where He’s already at work and join Him there.
And we gave thanks.
Because how incredible is it that while He was stirring a movement among us—a desire for women to support one another, serve together, equip one another, and reflect the gospel in community—He was also stirring in Shea, in Michelle Owensby, and in the team at Star Gospel Mission to build a home for the vulnerable in our city?
This is not coincidence. This is divine choreography.
💛 How You Can Join the Story
We left inspired—and eager to act.
Here’s how you can come alongside Morning Light right now:
🍽️ Bring a Monday Night Meal – Serve dinner so their amazing kitchen staff can rest
🙋🏽♀️ Volunteer Your Skills – Therapists, dentists, tutors, case managers—this is a body of Christ work
🙏🏼 Pray with Us – For funding, wisdom, staffing, and the future families
📣 Share the Story – Forward this post to your pastor, your women’s ministry team, your small group
💸 Give Joyfully – Every dollar supports dignity, stability, and gospel transformation
📍 Learn more: https://www.stargospelmission.org
💛 Serve or give: https://www.stargospelmission.org/ways-to-give
🗓️ Attend a tour: https://www.stargospelmission.org/contact-us
🎟️ Here’s the Beautiful Tie-In…
When we gather this fall for the first-ever CBA Women’s Conference, we won’t just be worshiping, learning, and connecting—we’ll be giving back.
✨ A significant portion of every registration goes directly to support Morning Light and gospel-rooted ministries in our city.
Let’s raise our voices in worship.
Let’s raise our hands in service.
Let’s raise funds to meet real needs with Christ-like love.
Join us.
📍 October 3–4, 2025 | Riverbluff Church
🎟️ Register: www.charlestonbaptist.net/womens-conference
🌐 Details: cbawomen.org/conference
🧵 Final Thought: Brighter. Together.
This is what it looks like to be the Church.
To serve.
To pray.
To partner.
To believe that healing is possible. That joy really does come in the morning.
That God is weaving together stories we never imagined we’d be part of.
Let’s say yes.
Together.
