By Philip Phi
Posted Aug 20, 2026 at 7:55 PM
As the cold weather persists, the Facts of Life Church in Whiteville, N.C., continues to serve as a beacon of hope for those in need through its warming shelter. Opened whenever temperatures fall below 40 degrees, the shelter is a testament to the church’s commitment to community service and compassion. Pastor Daisy Brooks emphasizes that faith must be lived out through action, echoing the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
The shelter provides more than just warmth; it offers meals, snacks, and basic necessities, along with the opportunity for warm showers through a mobile unit provided by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. This initiative is designed to support the community’s most vulnerable members, many of whom lack a safe place to go during the cold spells. The shelter operates throughout the day, not just at night, to ensure that those in need have access to its services whenever they require them.
Glori, a resident of the shelter, shared her heartfelt experience, describing the environment as a “family atmosphere” that has been both comforting and accepting. Her testimony highlights the shelter’s impact on individuals who find themselves without a home during the harsh winter months.
Despite its vital role in the community, the shelter faces challenges due to a shortage of volunteers. Pastor Brooks stresses the importance of selflessness and commitment in volunteering, noting that the shelter cannot remain open without sufficient help. She encourages community members to contribute in any way they can, whether by cooking, organizing, or simply lending an ear. The shelter’s operations rely heavily on the dedication of its volunteers, who work in teams to ensure that all aspects of the shelter’s services run smoothly.
Brooks remains hopeful that more community members will step forward to support the shelter’s mission. She invites everyone to participate, emphasizing that there is a role for everyone, regardless of their abilities. Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Pastor Brooks directly. As the colder days continue, the shelter stands as a reminder of the power of community and the importance of extending a helping hand to those in need, embodying the spirit of Matthew 25:35, which calls for feeding the hungry and welcoming strangers.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
