Search For Truth Mission (SFTM) was founded by Reverend John McCreless in 1976. It was originally located at 2004 Leopard Street and chartered as The Corpus Christi Christian Institute. Rev. McCreless continued to meet the needs of the poor, outcast, and disadvantaged until his death in 1979. Several locations and many years later, SFTM is now located at 709 Waco Street in Corpus Christi, Texas. The building was donated and the mission has continued to operate solely on private donations.
The primary mission of SFTM is to provide and operate a Christian, gospel based transitional housing for homeless men in the Corpus Christi area. All staff members are voluntary in-house residents and receive no pay for their services. Their experiences and commitments help build a strong faith community and help keep the shelter alcohol and drug free. No salaries are paid to anyone. Some 40-60% of the SFTM residents are veterans. The mission is proud to assist our veterans in becoming active members of our community.
SFTM tries to get away from an institutional homeless shelter atmosphere by creating a more “homelike” surrounding. Donations have been used to replace old worn out mattresses, pillows, blankets and bed sheets.
The staff works very closely with the police to make certain the area around the shelter continues to be orderly. They enforce a curfew and a zero tolerance for alcohol and drug use. It is the goal of the shelter to continue making a positive influence in the downtown Corpus Christi area.
Approximately 25-30 homeless men of Corpus Christi receive shelter and meals at the mission each day. Clothing, shoes, linens, showers and laundry facilities are provided. Men can stay up to 90 days while looking for employment and a permanent residence. Most of the men staying at the shelter grow in their faith, get jobs, and become self-sufficient.
