A Home Just in Time: How KFM Helped the Gipson Family Stay Together

Watch the Fox 26 News story HERE!

On October 17, 2024, Kingdom Family Ministry received a call that would stretch their faith and rally their community. Mitch and Cassandra Gipson reached out in desperation, urgently seeking housing assistance. They were homeless and just hours away from having to check out of their hotel room. Unfortunately, KFM didn’t have funds allocated for housing support, and as a ministry still in its early stages, there were no discretionary funds to draw from.

But founders Wil and Tiffani Davis couldn't simply refer them elsewhere and hope for the best.

A Family In Crisis

The Gipsons had been homeless since October 6, facing circumstances that would break most families. Mitch and Cassandra, pregnant with their fourth child, were trying to keep their family together: an 8-year-old daughter, a 5-year-old son, an infant son, and Cassandra's mother, Terri.

After Cassandra experienced pregnancy complications requiring six weeks of bed rest, Mitch lost his job while caring for his family. They cycled through hotels, spent nights outside of hotels, and eventually secured one of only four family rooms at the Salvation Army shelter.

But the shelter wasn't 24-hour access. Every morning, Cassandra, the children, and her mother had to leave until the shelter reopened in the evening, waiting in areas like a dangerous drug-infested park. Terri is deaf making her especially vulnerable in this environment. Meanwhile, Mitch walked 45 minutes to his new job each morning by 5 a.m., because their vehicle which once served as shelter for them broke down several months ago. 

United Through The Struggle

While the family was grateful to be accepted into the Salvation Army shelter, Terri, Cassandra’s mother, wasn’t allowed to stay with Mitch, Cassandra, and the children in the family room. Mitch made it clear he would not leave her on the streets. He planned to remain with her no matter what. Thankfully, there was a spot available in the women’s dormitory so she could stay safely indoors.

Terri has been a steady part of their family for some time and a huge support to Cassandra with the children. While at the shelter Terri was hospitalized, received heart stents, and was dealing with a torn rotator cuff. That made daily life even harder, especially for Cassandra, who was trying to manage the children while Mitch worked.

When Terri was discharged, she didn’t return to a home or a comfortable bed to heal in. Her only option was a shelter where she was required to leave early each morning until the facility reopened. With both arms in pain, she should’ve been resting, yet she continued to help with the kids, even lifting her 10-month-old grandson when needed.

Through every challenge, the family refused to be separated. Their determination to stay united, even under the hardest circumstances, speaks to the strength and resilience of their bond and the true power of family.

Now with temporary shelter, the clock was ticking. Cassandra's due date was December 13, and the shelter’s policy was: they couldn't accept a newborn. Since it wasn't 24 hours a mother could not recover there. So if the baby came, the family would lose their spot and face possible separation.

Stepping Up Personally

Unable to turn their backs, Wil and Tiffani initially paid out of their own pockets for another hotel stay and worked to help the Gipsons secure the Salvation Army shelter placement. The 90-day program gave them breathing room, but the newborn policy loomed over everything.

Then baby Mariah arrived early.

On November 19, Cassandra gave birth. The next morning, November 20, the hospital social worker called Tiffani with urgent news: Cassandra would be discharged on November 21. If the family didn't have a home to bring Mariah to, Child Protective Services would be contacted to take custody of Mariah.

Tiffani and Wil didn't hesitate. They had already agreed the family would stay with them to prevent separation. Tiffani told the social worker the Gipson family could stay with them and gave her their address.

But Tiffani also reached out to KFM supporters Lonnie and Jasmine Speed. They had been discussing renting their rental property to the Gipsons, but there was a challenge; Mitch's job was in a different city from the property.

Wil had arranged for Mitch to get a job interview at a position not far from the rental home. Since there remained so much uncertainty the rental home was not mentioned to the Gipsons. And, the day Mitch was supposed to interview, Cassandra went into labor, so Mitch couldn't go. Fortunately, he was able to reschedule for the next day.

Mitch did so well in the interview that, because of his management experience, he was offered the job on the spot. He was even told that if he performed well in 60 days, they'd give him a supervisory position. This new job is less than 5 miles from his new home, so he'll have no problem walking or riding his bike to work until he can afford a vehicle. 

Tiffani reached out to the Speeds and it was full speed ahead from there!  The generous landlords agreed to rent below market rate, giving the family time to save money and gain stability. On the evening of November 20, just hours after that hospital call, Wil picked up keys to the rental home.

A Miracle In Less Than 48 Hours

From the moment Tiffani shared Gipson's plight, the KFM community responded with prayer, and shared the story. Now they were making monetary and in kind donations and showed up to set up their new home. 

Cassandra couldn’t be discharged on November 21 because her blood pressure was high, undeniably fueled by stress. While she remained in the hospital, Tiffani, Will, and community partners Al and Lynn Williams from Amazing Touch of Things surprised Mitch, the children, and Cassandra’s mother with their new home, with Cassandra watching joyfully through FaceTime.

“Seeing the smiles, joy, and relief on the family’s faces is something I will never forget. I am so blessed to have been part of this miracle,” shared Minister Tiffani.

Mitch was also surprised to see his father, mother, and sister, who live in North Carolina, enjoying the moment through FaceTime. They shared in the celebration, comforted by the knowledge that Mitch and his family are finally in a safe place where they can rest and rebuild.

The transformation was staggering. Mitch went from worrying about his family waiting in unsafe areas to seeing them behind a gated community with a fenced backyard where his children could play safely. They went from one large room at the Salvation Army, with Cassandra's mother separated in the women's dormitory, to a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Even greater things are ahead. Mitch isn't just committed to supporting his family, but serving our country. He'll be going into the military in the spring of 2026.

A Hand Up, Not A Handout

"The Gipsons never asked for a handout, just a hand up," Tiffani reflected. "After that initial call on October 17, they never asked for anything else. It was Wil and I being compelled by the Holy Spirit to help them."

That help consisted primarily of being a voice, sharing the Gipson's story. The sharing resulted in the KFM community praying, donating items and money, and coming together to get the Gipson home ready in less than 48 hours.

The family that had fought so hard to stay together while facing unimaginable circumstances now has a place to call home. A place where Mitch can easily walk to work. Where the children can play safely. Where baby Mariah can grow up surrounded by the love of her family.

A Bigger Picture

The Gipson family’s story shines a light on several realities. Incredible organizations like The Salvation Army and Kingdom Family Ministry who work tirelessly to help families in crisis, yet the demand far outweighs the resources they have. The Conroe Salvation Army is the only emergency shelter in Montgomery County and they are overwhelmed. There should be more support from local government and churches, because no organization can shoulder this level of need alone.

There are deep gaps in our community’s safety net, gaps KFM sees again and again. Many shelters close during the day, pushing families back onto the streets. Even more troubling, only a handful of shelters allow families with fathers present. That forces parents into heartbreaking decisions between safety and staying together.

Their journey reveals just how urgently these gaps must be addressed, and how vital strong, well-supported community organizations truly are.

Helping To Close The Gap

Kingdom Family Ministry continues to serve families throughout the through the

Family First Programs, which include:

• Free premarital and marital counseling to strengthen family foundations

• Grocery gift cards to help fight food insecurity

• Utility assistance to keep families in their homes

• Care Crates filled with personal and household items

  
  

We’re also launching a new initiative focused on addressing family homelessness, so the support the Gipsons received can become a lifeline for other families facing the same kind of crisis. Their story should be a turning point, not an exception.

Your donation directly supports families in need. Whether you give to our established Family First Programs or our new homelessness initiative, you're helping families stay together and rebuild their lives.

Donate today and make a meaningful impact. Use the button below to give to Kingdom Family Ministry or support the Gipson Family Fund, and help bring hope where it’s needed most.

Donate Today!

You can contact us at support@kingdomfamilyministry.org.