08/28/2024
IMPORTANT UPDATE
It is with a heavy heart to announce that we will be closing the doors to The Mission. (For now, at least.) With some unforeseen circumstances within the lives of our staff, a lack of current funding, and a continued struggle to obtain community support/buy-in, we cannot financially continue for the time being. We have all come to the agreement that we will take a break and seek God’s guidance in what steps need to be taken next. We know that resources for our neighbors experiencing homelessness are greatly lacking in our community. This decision was not made lightly. We have been receiving more phone calls than ever of individuals and families in a desperate situation. The number of organizations and businesses in Bryan County that reach out to us is tremendous, but we simply cannot continue our services at this time.
These three and a half years we have been open have been truly lifechanging for our staff, board members, volunteers, and most importantly for our guests!
We have served 608 of our neighbors experiencing homelessness during that time. Each and every individual has touched our hearts and remains in our continued prayers.
Unfortunately, many of these people we do not have updates on.
Those we do, though:
• 89 are in a home of their own
• 6 have been sent to rehab
• 3 have gone to a mental health institution
• 4 went back home to their family via bus/train
• 6 children found safety in a foster home
• 6 tragically have passed away
Since opening our doors to full-time residency in September of 2023, we have housed 10 residents and had the opportunity to house 5 other individuals in an emergency situation.
In 2021 – 2022 we teamed up with Community Cares Partners and helped our community members in need apply for and receive a total $985,809.81 for rental and utility assistance! This was an amazing opportunity for so many neighbors that were at risk of homelessness. This financial assistance saved many lives.
The Mission has opened its doors many times since 2021 and also partnered with Emmanuel Baptist Church this past winter as an Emergency Shelter during the winter storms that would hit Durant. The countless all-nighters, deep one-on-one conversations with our guests, the games, the fun, the discipleship, the movies, the laughter, the tears, the love, and the case management will forever be etched into my heart.
The way we have seen God move in this place has been overwhelmingly beautiful. We have witnessed many lives forever impacted, but I tell you, if it was only one person who was touched by this ministry, it would have all been worth it.
I am thankful to the founder, Michelle Chester, for obeying God’s call on her life and her total surrender to His plan. My deepest appreciation goes to her and every person who has had a hand in the vision, the planning, the blood, the sweat, the tears, and the prayers that have gone into The Mission. This place has truly changed my life. The impact these three and a half years have had will go far beyond what we can even imagine. Generations will forever be changed.
As it stands, there are no definite plans. We would like to gauge the community’s interest in support of our mission to ‘receive our neighbors experiencing homelessness, help them rebuild their lives, and return them to the community as independent and contributing members of society’ in future endeavors.
As we know, our services are greatly needed in Bryan County. We ask that you pray for clear guidance and understanding for our leadership as we move forward. If you would be interested in pledging support if we were to open again, please email us at [email protected].
To our guests: We love you. We see you and we see hope for your future. That will never change. We continue to pray for you and hope to be able to serve you once again.
This Thursday, August 29th, will be our last day of service.
Our hope is and will continue to be for restored and transformed lives within our community!
-Marissa Bancewicz
Executive Director
Please take a moment to see some of my favorite memories of our time shared with our neighbors. 🤍
