Biloxi church, construction company offer a second chance …

JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDGarth Caillavet, right, and Kareem Williams, both of Biloxi, install support rods in the new sanctuary under construction at the Pentecostals of the Gulf Coast church in Biloxi on Wednesday. The two work for Adonai Contracting Inc. JOHNFITZHUGHSUNHERALD|BuyPhoto

BILOXI -- Garth Caillavet was under the Interstate 110 loop in Biloxi, drunk and asleep when someone kicked him in the foot and asked him if he was hungry.

"They were my angels," said Caillavet, 57, three months later.

Caillavet's life had been defined by alcohol and drugs. He had lost his truck to a DUI and had been on the streets for about nine months.

Those angels were with Gulf Coast Compassion, a ministry run by Anthony Ditcharo and Pentecostals of the Gulf Coast church in Biloxi.

"Instead of keeping the church inside the four walls, we're bringing the church to the people," Ditcharo said.

"We offer prayers, food, anything they need."

On Wednesday, Caillavet was working with a crew from Adonai Contracting Inc. building the church's new 50,000-square-foot sanctuary on Popp's Ferry Road.

"I quit smoking and drinking," he said.

"I've been saved, I found the Holy Ghost."

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Biloxi church, construction company offer a second chance ...