|
In 1975, a unique opportunity presented itself in Gaston County. At
that time, the North Carolina Department of Correction opened Dallas
Prison Camp for troubled teens, individuals who had gone astray of the
law but whose chances for rehabilitation were good. Thus Faith Prison
Ministry was born. With the dawn of the new millennium and the beginning of
the twenty-first century, we recognized that an increasingly larger
prison, the Housing Projects, had arisen in our community - the prison
of spiritual, mental, social and economic poverty. For this unheralded
mission, Renamed to Faith Ministry, we have accepted the Call of God.
The mission is to inspire hope and offer encouragement to the
youth in the Housing Projects through educational, recreational,
spiritual and economic programs. Emphasis will be focused on assisting
delinquent and threatened youth to find a meaningful place in society
free of drugs and alcohol.
Faith Ministry has a 14-room home in Mount Holly for
offering educational tutoring, Bible studies, volunteer training, and
chapel services. The site also offers suitable accommodations for
social events such as Christmas parties, picnics, craft activities,
etc.
Further assistance in the ministry to the youth of the Housing
Projects is given by access to a 700 acre ranch through the generosity
of a gracious benefactor. The ranch houses 7 cabins for summer time, a
completely enclosed facility that can accommodate 120 youths during
summer or winter, a chapel, a dining facility, first aid station, a
recreation hall, swimming pool, lake for canoeing, horseback riding and
hiking trails.
Faith Ministry is governed by a 5 member Board of
Directors who oversee the development of policy, the distribution of
funds and the overall stability of the organization. The day-to-day
operations and financial accountability is the responsibility of an
Executive Director. Current funding is generated through monetary and
in-kind contributions from other religious organizations as well as
direct donations from individuals. |