McDonough pastor Terrell Scott regularly walks the streets of the same Henry County neighborhood where he once sold drugs.
On Thursdays, members of his church, Passion-Life, and others in the community will gather here at the McDonough Housing Authority complex, first to pray, then fan out to spread tangible love.
They’ll give out “grace” bags filled with hygiene items, snacks, and other donated odds and ends. Once, they distributed boxes of butter and yogurt.
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
The River Refuge/Malachi Project is one of action. Scott founded the nonprofit community development organization about six years ago to serve families and children living in low-income housing. They have an after-school program for children and mentoring groups for middle and high school students. Volunteers consistently reach out to families with acts of love and kindness.
“We’ve been able to affect the community,” the 39-year-old pastor said. “We’re not just putting pop-up tents then leaving; we’re boots on the ground. We walk the streets praying for people.”
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
As a teenager, Scott walked these same streets selling drugs and operating a gang. His road back was long and winding.
The 2000 Henry County High graduate continued his vices in college, where he was a scholarship wrestler. During his sophomore year, he was arrested for cocaine trafficking, then kept bringing in drugs and forming gangs while serving his prison term.
Scott cried out to God while in solitary confinement. His future wife, Brandy, whom he had known since high school, was instrumental in leading him to Christ while in prison.
Married now with five children, the Scotts do ministry together. The initial years of Malachi operated out of their McDonough home. But now, the nonprofit has its own house in the housing authority complex and is fixing it up for ministry.
“We serve in the same community I used to sell crack cocaine in and marijuana. God’s given us the honor of coming back to the same neighborhood, and I want to stop the cycle of the fatherless here,” Scott said.
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
The ministry’s mission comes from Scripture, Malachi 4:6, “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”
“These are people who haven’t had an opportunity to get out of what they’re in,” Scott said. “We try to love them and show them a different way.”
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
Volunteer Sherry Ann Devouse-Dennard said the after-school program gives children “a place of belonging and refuge beyond their current environment and circumstances.”
“The Malachi Project is planting seeds that will harvest as a moral, civic and educational foundation that will serve them well for many years to come,” added Devouse-Dennard, a McDonough insurance agent.
Volunteer Rick Perry, a McDonough Realtor, said while he could see hurt and pain in the children’s eyes, he also saw promise.
“I was so moved as I began to get to know them and hear some of their stories,” said Perry, a volunteer since 2018. “The progress over time has been remarkable with their growth educationally and spiritually. This program is very much needed in the community and I am excited to where the road leads to next.”
After six years of cultivating relationships, kids are choosing Malachi activities over others being offered in schools or the community, said volunteer and board member Vanessa Partee-Jackson. She said that groundwork speaks of Scott’s passion for the next generation.
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
The nonprofit operates out of Passion-Life Church, a small congregation of less than 100 but with a significant community reach. Sponsored activities attract others in the area, and it’s not unusual to have people from up to 15 other churches show up to help, Scott said.
“When God rescued me 16 years ago, the vision he gave me in prison is our logo: the hand of God reaching down to clasp my hand and pull me up,” Scott said. “Our resolve is stronger than ever, and we’re excited to see how this works out.”
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
Pastor Terrell Scott’s story
An athlete in high school, Scott received a full wrestling scholarship. He was also living a dual life with drugs and gangs. He continued this lifestyle in college.
During his sophomore year at Anderson (S.C.) College, he was arrested for trafficking cocaine. While incarcerated, he was put in lock-down and isolation several times for running a gang and bringing in drugs. During his last time in isolation, he cried out to God to change him and send someone to walk with him for the remainder of his prison sentence.
His future wife, Brandy, a high school friend, had recently become a Christian and began corresponding with Scott. She came to prison and shared the Gospel message with him. After Scott finished his prison sentence, they married and began serving in ministry together.
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
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