In December of 1995 a young bible college student at Victory Baptist College in North Augusta, SC became burdened for the homeless population of their neighboring city, Augusta, GA. Travis Sharpe, then a freshman, began to pass out tracts and preach on the city streets to those who would listen. By late January of 1996 another church member, Hank Miskelly, joined Brother Travis and they formed what became known as the "City Bus Route". On Sunday mornings they would pick up many of the homeless people on the church bus and take them to services at Victory Baptist Church where they also received a good breakfast and lunch.
This new ministry really caught on and began to grow as many people were being helped both spiritually and physically. Many othser outreach activities were added such as clothing distribution, summer sports programs, and special help for those who showed an interest in changing their lives.
By September of 1998 Travis and his wife April began a special program called "A Weekend of Hope". In this program they took men off the streets for the weekend giving them a safe, warm place of shelter. This only lasted a few months but it was out of those experiences that the dream for the Garden City rescue Mission was birthed. Travis and Hank as well as the people at Victory Baptist Church began to pray and work toward the dream of opening a homeless shelter in the Augusta area so they could minister to the needy in a more effective manner.
On April 4th 2001 that dream became a reality when the Garden City Rescue Mission & Life Development Center opened for the very first night. Dr. George VanGiesen donated a wonderful building in the heart of the downtown area and the people began to come. Since that time, Hank has continued to operate the City Bus Route and Travis was joined by a long time church member and retired fireman Freddie Manning, who is now associate director of the mission. Hank offers substance abuse counseling each week to those in need. Each night many men seeking shelter from the harmful elements of the streets come to the mission for help.
Other churches, individuals, businesses and civic groups have joined in the effort to support the mission and it has become a lighthouse in the city for lives that have lost their way.
Today, in 2005 the rescue mission is continuing to do great. Brother Travis is still the director. He has a great staff which includes a personal assistant to handle all finances and office work, a guest services director, assistant director and a chaplain. Brother Freddie also continues to serve the Lord as the associate director of the mission.
An average of 40 men comes each night for a safe place to eat sleep and attend chapel services. As of today 235 men have trusted Christ as their savior. Many have moved out and gained victory over the homeless lifestyle. The mission is open seven days a week and construction on a new women and children's shelter is halfway complete. |
