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To live a full life and die empty

To live a full life and die empty

    04.15.13 | Charleston Adult Evening programs Academics: Social Science

    Leroy Moore turned to alcohol and drugs. Now clean from drugs and alcohol 21 years, Moore, 56, a Human Services major at Southern Wesleyan University’s Charleston education center, has a mission. 

    Growing up with few role models, Leroy Moore turned to alcohol and drugs.

    In spite of the loving discipline of his mother, he felt he was surrounded by discouraging circumstances, and often wound up on the wrong side of the law. 

    “The longest I was in prison was for a year,” Moore said. “I messed up every time I get out. I would get discouraged and feel that people didn’t care too much. I just went into prison three or four times for a lot of crazy stuff, like stealing or fights.”

    Now clean from drugs and alcohol 21 years, Moore, 56, a Human Services major at Southern Wesleyan University’s Charleston education center, has a mission. He even developed a mission statement:

    “I have developed a passion for a purpose and a hunger and thirst to release to this era and generation everything that God has put in me. Simply my desire is to live a full life and die empty. I found out how precious I have been made as a result of that new found revelation. My past problems have turned into gold nuggets to be passed on.”

    Following this mission means that Moore pours his life out on ex-convicts at Shield Ministries, an organization that provides them with a place to get their bearings on a new life direction. Moore’s counseling to these young men has a Biblical foundation. He strongly feels that God gifted him for this ministry and is equipping him to do something few others are willing to do.

    “The majority of guys we get after prison,” Moore said, adding that five or six men stay in the house at one time, but are subject to rules and regulations and must pay a fee to help with expenses.

    “We want to monitor them in terms of their progress,” says Moore, whose goal is that these men leave with a purpose and plan in mind. He hasn’t always been successful, but he feels that he has made a difference in many cases.

    “I see a lot of people I used to hang with, run with, do time with or do drugs with,” says Moore. “God equipped me to have a special love for them. I know where they are coming from,” he said. “These men have known hate all of their life,” he said. “You have to love them. You’ve got to be authentic - In street lingo, ‘stay true to the game.’”

    Details about Shield Ministries can be found on their website at shieldministries.org.

    Moore, who is preparing for a career in social work, said that the instruction he’s receiving from Southern Wesleyan has helped him in his job at Roper Hospital, as well as with Shield Ministries.

    Moore says that pastors and others have helped him in his life journey: David Truluck, Shield Ministries founder, and his wife, Melonie; and Bishop C.A. Whitfield, his former pastor, and his wife Patricia. He wants to become a substance abuse counselor and work with family interventions – all from a spiritual standpoint. His grandson hopes to follow in his footsteps and become a substance abuse counselor as well.

    “The instructors are well prepared and they assist where needed,” he said. Moore especially likes how his education has helped him to grow and “stretch out” personally. He appreciates online resources provided to help him with course work. He adds that he’s taking a religion class that has “truly been a blessing.”

    “The things I learned have been phenomenal,” he said.  

    With regional education centers conveniently located across South Carolina, as well as fully online programs for select degrees, Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ.