WHY CHARLESTON?
A City Set on a Hill
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14)
Charleston is renown as the holy city and a place of southern hospitality as it has been rated the #1 city in America for tourism for the past decade. The region boasts of an attractive coastal setting, an historically preserved peninsula, a bustling center for industry and micro businesses surrounded by regionally affluent designed communities. Every day approximately 40 people are moving into the Greater Charleston area. By the year 2040 there will be 1 million residents in the tri-county area.
However there is an unseen Charleston that does not get chamber of commerce attention as it may seem unattractive to the tourist and new resident. From Heaven’s perspective this undesired area of underserved people considered “the least of these” (Matt. 25:40) has become a unique expression of mixed ethnicities in the midst of economic depravity. As a result of sprawling gentrification that has shifted these underserved populations, this area of unchurched people has become fertile soil for the Gospel of the Kingdom.
57% of Residents Qualify at Low-Income
At the center point of Greater Charleston, where Interstates I-26 & I-526 come together, a center of economic, ethnic and demographic diversity has formed a density of people, poverty, immigrants and refugees. This minority majority is unlike any other context in the entire tri-county area. The Hub Ministry Center is located in the heart of this mosaic of people, culture and need.
Life expectancy is 18 years less than the state average.
REMOUNT ROAD AREA - Ministry insight
WHY CHARLESTON CONTINUED…
The Hub was created from the embers of a replanted church campus to become a burning light shining in the midst of eclectic brokenness. Like a Kingdom table in a spiritual wilderness, The Hub has become a collaborative connector of churches and non-profit groups that are seeking human flourishing initiatives and good of the city solutions in Jesus’ name.
94% of residents are not served by a health center.
Darkness to Light
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16)
From 1670 to 1808, Gadsden’s Wharf located on the Cooper River in Charleston received more enslaved Africans than any other mainland colony. As many as 260,000 slaves disembarked here as the largest single point of entry for enslaved Africans. To the multitude of their descendants, this was their infamous Ellis Island. Today, an African American Museum stands at Gadsden’s Wharf to honor and remember the lives who were imported as commodities and to reeducate all who enter about the preciousness of their souls.
WHY CHARLESTON CONTINUED…
This sordid history has had a lingering residual impact between white and black communities to this day. In 1745, one of the seafaring captains bringing thousands of enslaved people to Charleston began to fall under conviction over the inhumane conditions and treatment of African people while travelling to and rom West Africa. Later in life he repented over his willful ignorance of justifying them as property and finally saw each of them as made in the image and likeness of God. He experienced mercy through forgiveness in Christ which changed his life and gave him a new calling to proclaim this redeeming truth to all people. He began to make restitution through writing words to songs such as “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…” (Sir John Newton).
In June of 2015, an attempt to initiate a race war came at the hands of a hateful white man who murdered 9 innocent and God-fearing black brothers and sisters at Emanuel AME Church while they were praying. He came to the wrong place, he came to church, the pillar and support of the truth. As a result, a miracle happened as the people of Charleston united rather than divided because of the soft answer of forgiveness turned away the wrath of retaliation by the family members of these victims. Churches of Greater Charleston came together to pray, serve and engage with grieving families and a sorrowful city with the reconciling power of the Gospel. The courageous love of enemy ignited a passion toward unity rather than division.
Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman and wartime Prime Minister of England, wisely once said, “Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” The Church of Greater Charleston has been given an opportunity to rewrite the future and become a “City set on a hill that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Like a goodwilled ambassador, The Hub Ministry Center has become a connector to bring people of all nations together and serve as an apologetic of the indiscriminate Gospel creating a place for a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community. Multiple people who were once isolated and alone now have a place of connection and access to experience community in various ways.
