STORY OF WNC
Founded by Kathy Lewis in 2016, Why Not Charleston (WNC) began as a Christian grassroots movement to DISCOVER, DEVELOP, and DEPLOY the gifts and talents of local volunteers to meet community needs through created care programs and initiatives.​ WNC has served hundreds of children, teachers, and families across the Lowcountry, powered by countless volunteers offering their time and resources. It is a ministry of love—for God and His people.
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WNC is a registered non-profit with a governing board, headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The office serves as both an administrative hub and a gathering space for rotating events such as book clubs, luncheons, weekend retreats, workshops, worship nights, youth activities, and after-school programs. Signature initiatives and hosted events include G-Team, Teacher Love Project, Firestarter’s, Bibles and Blankets, Bright Night, and Deep Recovery.
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Why Not Charleston embarks on its tenth year, entering a new chapter that bridges past impact with future vision. In 2016, WNC began as a grassroots movement to discover, develop, and deploy the gifts of believers to meet real community needs through programs that served hundreds of people for a decade and continue, to this day. In 2026, the new message is "Trust Him" and the new focus is to support a renewed awareness and daily practice of God's perfect order for living.
WNC remains a relevant and responsible Christian organization that advocates Gospel-centered living. In 2026, true to form, it will present lifestyle opportunities that help people overcome the chaos of today’s world. The Holy City has long been a place of influence and is once again ground zero for faith-based inspiration. WNC has evolved into a sweeping hope-filled Christian movement that calls believers to steadfastly order their lives each day by choosing to trust God completely.
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To live a Gospel-Rich life is to be held by TRUST in God and guided by the LOVE of Jesus. Trust is the daily decision to put your whole weight on Love. This is how the Gospel-Rich lifestyle becomes living practice. WNC is dedicated to support this way of living which helps people slow down, reflect, and realign with God each day. Like a child who trusts their father, God protects and rescues us. Be rescued by the promise of His favor as you Trust Him throughout 2026.
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Charleston is becoming a place of faith in action and WNC aims to continue making its impact by inviting and encouraging all to join this hope-filled movement. The Yellow Cross of WNC is a symbol of Christian unity, and a reminder that when we trust Him, divine peace, order, and rest is ours to abide in. It is the prayer of WNC, that those who say yes to this invitation will know and experience the promised and protective blessings of God, and the transformational love of Jesus.
THE YELLOW CROSS EXPLAINED
A Symbol of Unity​
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The Yellow Cross stands as a meaningful emblem of a global united Christian movement, rooted in a shared love and devotion to Jesus Christ. It brings together believers from diverse backgrounds, united by their heartfelt trust and surrender to Him.
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This symbol serves as a collective reminder to live out the teachings of the Gospels, encouraging followers to embody Christ’s love and truth in their daily lives with steadfast commitment.
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It reflects a shared dedication to walk in faith, fostering a sense of unity and purpose among those who follow Jesus.
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It is a unifying symbol that bridges differences in tradition, culture, denomination, and background. It embodies a core truth: trust in Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of life, decisions, and relationships.
Attributes of Active Faith​​
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THE YELLOW
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The color yellow symbolizes many action-related beliefs and behaviors that support Kingdom work such as:
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being linked to the sun, symbolizing hope and light.
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evoking feelings of warmth.
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stimulating mental activity and encourage creativity.
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signifying a need to be alert, aware, and proceed with care.
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being associated with knowledge, learning, and spiritual illumination.
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Yellow reflects a faith that is active and ever-present, expressed through the shared journey of believers in community and devotion.
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The vibrant hue of yellow serves as a visual reminder—that we are all created and loved by a Heavenly Father, we belong to a caring community of faith, and that our sins are forgiven by the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ.​
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THE CROSS
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The Cross underscores that, despite diverse backgrounds, believers are connected and unified in agreement by:
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their acknowledgement that Christ died on the cross for our sins,
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their steadfast reliance on Christ’s love, and
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their unwavering pursuit of God’s truth.
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The Cross invites all to embrace their faith with purpose and unity, serving as a heartfelt reminder of the sacred calling:
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to belong,
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to be loved by God and Jesus, and
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to live out that love intentionally together as one.
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The Essence of TRUST
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At the heart of the Yellow Cross lies the acronym T.R.U.S.T. which stands for Truth Revealed Under Spiritual Testing. This framework offers a clear and practical way for believers to live out the gospel lifestyle with intention and unity.
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T.R.U.S.T is inspired by the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This scripture calls believers to depend fully on God, trusting His guidance to lead them toward righteousness and purpose.
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In Hebrew, trust is depicted as leaning one’s entire weight on something, assured of its strength.
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The image of the Yellow Cross invites believers to T.R.U.S.T. God and place their complete confidence in His steadfast love and truth. Far from passive, this trust actively shapes daily choices, relationships, and spiritual growth, fostering a vibrant faith that binds the community together in shared devotion.
At the Foot of the Cross
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The Yellow Cross derives its profound significance from the cross of Jesus Christ, where love and truth united in perfect harmony. At the cross, Jesus carried the weight of humanity’s brokenness, paving a path to wholeness through His sacrificial love. This sacred moment is reflected in Psalm 85:10 (KJV): “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
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The Cross reminds all Christians, that it is at the foot of the cross, a hallowed place of agreement and worship, where differences fade, and unity prevails. It stands as a steadfast reminder that their shared belief in Christ’s death for their salvation remains unwavering, binding them together in a common faith. The Yellow Cross embodies this sacred union, symbolizing a space where complete surrender to God meets His infinite strength.
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This powerful symbolism reassures believers that trust in God is assured, rooted in the inseparable nature of His love and truth. It invites all to lean wholly on Him, confident in His unwavering faithfulness. The Yellow Cross serves as an enduring promise of God’s reliability, inspiring Christians to surrender fully, to lean fully on Him, knowing He will always uphold them, and to gather in worship at the cross, united in their devotion to the Savior.
Mike Soto - Board Chair - Governance
Goose Creek SC
Glenn Lewis - Board Member​ - Operations
James Island, SC
Brandon Hoffman - Board Member - Financial
Charleston, SC
Brett Thomas - Board Member - Partners
Mt. Pleasant, SC
John Harris - Board Member - Organization
Summerville
Sean Jager - G-Team Guardian Leader
Charleston, SC
Corey Shaw - G-Team Guardian
Charleston, SC
Drew Warfuel - G-Team Guardian
Travelers Rest, SC
Laurie Ulmer - G-Team Guardian
Sullivans Island, SC
Tony Washington - G-Team Guardian
North Charleston, SC
​Joey Gorman - G-Team Guardian
Charleston, SC
Michael Jager - G-Team Fellow Leader
Charleston, SC
Micah Soto - G-Team Fellow
Daniel Island, SC
Anthony Washington - G-Team Fellow
Downtown Charleston, SC (The Citadel)
Gabriel Jager - G-Team Fellow
Downtown Charleston, SC (The Citadel)
Organization Leadership
2026
Melanie Jager - Executive Director
Charleston, SC
Kathy Lewis - GRL National Thought Leader
James Island, SC
Creola Washington - Counsel of Sarah
North Charleston, SC
Dawn Ulmer - Counsel of Sarah
Sullivan's Island, SC
Debra Meyers - Counsel of Sarah
Downtown Charleston, SC
Melissa Sanders - Counsel of Sarah
James Island, SC
Tutti Beasley - Counsel of Sarah
Johns Island, SC
Shannon Sears - Counsel of Sarah
Charleston, SC
Krista Gorman - Counsel of Sarah
Charleston, SC
Liz Johnston - Counsel of Sarah
James Island, SC
Laura Benson - Counsel of Sarah
James Island, SC
Pam Hartley - GRL Digital Marketing
Daniel Island, SC
Placeholder - Intern Admin
Johns Island, SC
Heather Schepp - Intercessor
Mt. Pleasant SC
Melissa Pait - Intercessor
Mt. Pleasant, SC