History

Our Story

Around 1969, four men (Joe Wheeler, Warren Pitts, Cecil Key, and a gentlemen by the last name Murphy) met together at the old Calvary Baptist Church in Moultrie, GA. In this old wooden building, they met to pray about starting a mission to provide housing, meals, assistance in finding jobs, and the ability to live and re-start their lives in a Christian environment. Initially the men were given space above the Causey Shoe Store on the Square of downtown Moultrie. While at this location, Crossroads gained its first director – Reverend Walter Moore.

The mission was originally chartered in 1972, and a site for the mission house was first established in a doctor’s home on West Central Avenue in 1977. In that same year, Bo Pate became the director and served until his death in 1981. The mission house moved to its currently location on 5^th Street NE in 1978.

After the death of Mr. Pate, a new director stepped in after his absence. Ms. Shirley Kinnett served as director from 1981-2008. It was during this time the Crossroads Thrift Store opened under the direction of Ms. Charlotte Klar, followed by Ms. Shay Stewart, and then most recently Gayle Campero. The store closed in December of 2017.

Yet additional changes were on the way in the form of two new directors – Robin Poole (2008-2013) and Michael Houman (2013-2016). In late 2016, Mike Roberts became the resident manager while Dr. Shirley Chandler oversaw both the position of director as well as President of the Board of Directors.

Little did anyone know at the time, but a vast transformation started in 2018. It was during this time that Crossroads began to return to its original vision of being an all men’s transitional housing facility. Dr. Randy Benner became the President and acting director, assembling a new Board of Directors with eleven different churches represented. That Fall, Caleb Davis became the Director and put a greater emphasis on Discipleship. After two years, Sean Casteel became the Associate Director in October while Mark Harrell joined the staff as the Director of Peer Review.

In 2023, Jamie Lowery became our Director, leading Crossroads into the future as it seeks to make a difference in the lives of the men of Colquitt County.