Community Supports Homeless Encampment Amid Impending Closure.
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
GASTONIA, NC (WNN) – Event goers gathered at Faith, Hope, Love and Community Enrichment Ministries to raise money for the church and a homeless encampment that resides on its grounds. The donation drive was hosted by the Royal Priesthood Motorcycle Ministries – Pursuit chapter, and took place Aug. 26, 2023.ย
The purpose of this fundraiser was to assist Faith, Hope, Love in paying off $60,000 worth of city fines. These fines were imposed on the church for breaking city ordinances.
Robert Kellogg, a city councilman for Gastonia, said the ministry has violated several city ordinances. In particular, there are two trailers that had not been properly fastened.
“When anybody brings buildings, especially trailers, onto a property, there is a permit process that has to be followed. It’s a big deal, especially if you’re one of the ones who follow the law and do things properly and those are in place to protect people,” said Councilman Kellogg.
Pastor Moses Colbert, the founder of Faith, Hope, Love, said the church addressed the city’s concerns over the trailer and brought the property up to code.ย
“The only thing that we weren’t in compliance with were the trailers,” Colbert said, “We applied for [permits] back in January, but we were unsuccessful. We got the permits on August 10th, so that was just a couple of weeks ago.”
Colbert said the trailers were intended to be classrooms, where he planned to host GED classes, Narcotics Anonymous meetings and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, getting classes up and running has been difficult for the ministry.
“We did offer educational services before COVID, but then they closed down. They’re waiting on us to get through our court case and things so we can open back up and do more classes,” said Colbert.
He referred to the court case that will take place in September. This case will determine whether or not the church has violated any ordinances.
“This has been an ongoing process with our legal team,” Councilman Kellogg said, ย “It started with reaching out to Pastor Moses, that included letters that were delivered. From there it went to physically reaching out to him. Once those attempts were not connected, it went further into the process of a legal system that is now part of a judge who is overseeing the case and looking to rule on some of the issues that have been brought forth.”
Councilman Kellogg also stated that this is not Colbert’s first time being in trouble with the city.ย
“Pastor Moses is very well aware of the process,” Councilman Kellogg said, “He’s been through it numerous times and he continues to do the same thing, which is to ignore the process. When the city comes before him and says you’ve got to do things right, then he says that the city is after him.”
Councilman Kellogg referred to the ministries and homeless shelters Colbert attempted to open in the past.
Colbert said he attempted to abide by the city’s regulations each time he opened a new organization, but he has received little assistance from Gastonia.
“We need the help, we want the help, we want to partner up with the city, you know, with everything that’s going on. We thought there would be some kind of appreciation for what we do,” Colbert said.ย
Aside from the ordinance violations, several members of the surrounding community have complained about the encampment. Some of the biggest concerns include an influx of garbage, drug trafficking, drug paraphernalia and prostitution.
“People are afraid that there is not enough oversight, guidance or people there to help and to facilitate what is happening [over] there,” said Councilman Kellogg.ย
Colbert stated that the ministry put up a privacy fence to shield their neighbors from the encampment.
Recently, the concerns turned violent. On Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, a deadly altercation occurred between two residents of the homeless encampment. Freddie Lee Byrd was shot and killed on the grounds of Faith, Hope, Love.
The ministry held a service for Byrd on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, where his family and friends gathered in prayer and for a meal.
“You know, I met Freddie last year when he got out of prison. He was a pleasant guy to talk to, he was funny,” said Colbert.ย
Byrd had plans to move up north with his daughter. Colbert said he intended to move in September.
“He was beloved, he was always known, he didn’t cause any trouble. He was always at church,” Colbert said.
The death of Byrd influenced Colbert to make the decision to close the encampment. On Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, the camp will be removed.
“We’ve got to close the doors and we’re sorry that we’re going to,” said Colbert.
At the fundraiser, several residents of the encampment spoke about what Faith, Hope, Love means to them.
“I don’t think it’s fair for some of us. We came in as strangers and we’re leaving as family,” said Michi, a resident at Faith, Hope, Love.ย
Michi has been living at Faith, Hope, Love since March, 2023. She has gotten close with many of her neighbors at the encampment, including her best friend China.
“I wish people would see that we’re not just homeless people, we’re not just out here looking for help,” Michi said, “We’re all victims, we’re all survivors and we’re all in recovery, and it’s one step at a time. We all support each other and motivate each other.”
For many of the residents, the fundraiser was their final community get together.
“We had a big turnout today to show that we are people, we’re just like everybody else. You know, everybody has their downfalls, but we motivate each other,” said Michi.
Although the residents are saddened by the impending closure of their camp, some feel Colbert and his wife, Pastor Monica Colbert, are making the right decision.
Mary is a resident of the encampment. She has resided at Faith, Hope, Love for a year. She said she doesn’t blame the Colberts for shutting the encampment down.ย
“Many of them do drugs and disrespect what Pastor Moses and Monica do for them. It’s their fault for what we are in, and that’s all I have to say on that,” said Mary.ย
Colbert mentioned some of the rules he enforces at the encampment.
“Don’t be combative, you keep your space clean, you show up for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you got to come to church during the hours stated, if we call a meeting they’re all mandatory. You come to NA, You come to AA, they’re all mandatory,” said Colbert.
The residents look up to the pastors, many believing that they are parental figures in their lives.
“They’re like my parents that I’ve never had,” Mary said, “Before I met them, I almost committed suicide. I was laying on their porch, when God showed me heaven. When I opened my eyes I had to keep fighting. Then I met these people and they showed me kindness and love I never had before. I am smiling because of them.”
Despite their efforts, drug use is prevalent at the encampment. During the fundraiser, emergency services were called to the church grounds to assist with an overdosing resident.
Many of the residents don’t know where they will go next. Several homeless shelters in Gaston County require clean drug tests for admittance to their facilities.ย
“Most of our population are addicted to drugs and they’re the ones that don’t fit in at any other organizations,” said Colbert.
Councilman Kellogg said that there will be resources available to all of the residents, regardless of addiction.
“The city of Gastonia and Gaston County have been preparing for weeks and months on this situation, planning what would happen if something like this did come about,” said Councilman Kellogg, “If there is anybody on Monday who is in need of physical health care, mental health care, providing services in need of housing, shelter, those those needs will be met here right in the lower parking lot of the Gaston County Health and Human Services Building.”
He specifically mentioned individuals who have substance abuse disorder.
“Monday morning there will be different agencies here that work with individuals who are experiencing substance abuse disorder and ways that they can help. There are several places here in Gastonia that provide methadone or other pharmaceutical therapies that help individuals who are experiencing substance abuse disorder, who are actively using to continue to move on in a way that they can better their life,” said Councilman Kellogg.
As the residents prepare to move off the church’s grounds, Colbert plans for the future. He said Faith, Hope, Love will continue to feed the homeless, and someday he hopes to open a day facility where people can come for classes, seeking to better the lives of Gastonia’s homeless.ย
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