How
Backstreet Began
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 After losing his job of 10 ½ years
at a local factory due to alcohol and drugs, Gene Kelley
found himself unemployed with a wife and 2 children.
Jobs were hard to get back in 1979. He took some training
in Indianapolis to drive a semi. He found himself team
driving across the country with a man who didn't drink
and wouldn't allow anyone in his rig who did.
One weekend they pulled into
San Diego, CA and were unable to unload until Monday.
They went to an outdoor restaurant catching a bite to
eat when a homeless man began to make his way between
the patrons enjoying their meals. The man didn't say
anything but you could tell that he was hungry. He wore
a coat, gloves with the fingers wore out and a toboggan
style cap on his head. The patrons saw him but quickly
turned their heads as if he wasn't there and continued
eating. The man paused for a moment looking around. Pretty
soon the Manager came out and asked him to leave.
Gene began to feel compassion
for the man, something that he had not felt in a long
time and went after him and gave him a sandwich. The
man didn't say a word, just smiled, and Gene looked into
the most peaceful face and clear piercing blue eyes he
had ever seen. The man took the sandwich and Gene went
back to his table.
Shortly thereafter, a dog
took the same path the man had taken. The patrons began
to break off pieces of their food and give to the dog
along with kind words and generous displays of affection.
It was as if God spoke directly to Gene at that moment
to say "This is how the world is today. Human life
has no value". This is how the seed was sown in
Gene's heart For Backstreet Mission.
Gene returned to Indiana and
finally got a job at another local factory where he worked
for another 13 ½ years. During this time he made Christ
his personal Lord and Savior. God sent many people during
this time as a preparation period. He and his wife housed
several people in their home. In 1994, the factory downsized
and Gene was without a job again.
In 1995, Gene petitioned God
to confirm the continuing burden he felt to do something
for the homeless. The next Sunday, the Crites family
told Gene they had a house in Spencer, IN they felt God
wanted him to use. Over 250 men received assistance during
our first three year tenure there.
The Bible says "We entertain
angels unaware". Perhaps the "homeless man
in California in 1970" wasn't really "a homeless
man."
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