The Arvest Foundation donated $15,000 to WaySeekers Ministry. The Arvest Foundation presents grants to outstanding charities doing great work to improve local communities. The purpose of this grant is to support emergency funding, personal development loans, and rental assistance for women in crisis.
The WaySeeker’s mission is to walk beside women in crisis as we all heal relationships with God, self, others, and creation, moving from crisis to capable in Christ. This mission is accomplished in 3 ways:
Loving…Thru our mentoring program, Captains (women in crisis) are given three Christian Champions (mentors) to support positive life change. This group forms a “Circle of Support” to offer encouragement, godly advice, and identify resources.
Learning…The educational ministry offers practical skills courses using faith-based curriculum in money management, anger management, cooking, parenting, job skills, and hobbies. These meetings are called Gatherings.
Lending…Emergency funds are gifts to support short term emergency needs (supplies, housing, legal bills, energy bills, medical expenses). Development funds are interest-free loans to support individual development (starting a business or job, supplies, education or job training, therapy expenses). Rent houses are available for temporary use. Captains pay rent increasing every month to build the capacity to become self-supporting. The WaySeekers Team is currently working toward the purchase of a facility that would serve women in crisis and help offer supportive services.
How did WaySeekers get started?
After several mission trips to a homeless ministry, Founder, Amy Monk, started noticing more and more hurting people right here in Montgomery County! She started getting involved, primarily with women. A friend encouraged her to pursue a ministry that would provide housing and supportive services for women. Amy began speaking with other women about starting a ministry in August 2019. “After completing a 3-month study of the book, “When Helping Hurts,” we decided to shape a ministry focused on helping women in any type of crisis achieve meaningful change. We knew that we wanted to build relationships by walking alongside women. We decided it would be helpful to offer educational opportunities for several core issues (money management, job skills, anger management, and parenting). Finally, we tried to craft financial support that addresses emergencies but also benefits those seeking to improve their lives through education, certifications, therapy, or job skills. Visiting other ministries all over Arkansas really helped us identify what we wanted to do here. We received our non-profit status in March 2021. To date, we have assisted 8 women, to make positive life changes, and have housed 3 women and their children,” noted Monk.
Who is a Captain?
Captains are women experiencing a life crisis seeking positive life change. Some examples are: homeless, victim of domestic violence, in drug or alcohol recovery (not in active addiction), unemployed, aging out of foster care, experiencing trauma, biological moms with children in foster care, and victims of human trafficking. If you are a woman in crisis and want to hear more about WaySeekers, please call or text Amy at 870-681-0686 or email wayseekers518@gmail.com.
A message from one of our Captains, “I just wanna share how much love I have felt from this ministry. Since being a Team Captain, I have learned that I am not alone in my struggles, thoughts, and fears. First, I have God and as a bonus I have y’all (WaySeekers), genuine hearts that don’t pass judgements and are full of love.”
Who is a Champion?
A woman of Christian faith willing to invest time in relationship with women in crisis. Here’s what a couple of our Champions have to say.
“In some way we are all broken. Some of us have cracks and chips and some of us have missing pieces, but by the grace of God we can all be made new again.” Kay Barnes
“Even in a small community such as ours, there is a great need to minister to and support women around us who are hurting. I am most excited to look back at what God achieves through this ministry – the love, care and work our teams put into women who need support during a hard time in their lives and then see them do the same for others.” Donna Blacklaw
If you would like to join the WaySeekers Champion Team, training is available. Please call or text Amy Monk at 870-681-0686 or email wayseekers518@gmail.com .
Who is involved?
President-Amy Monk, Secretary-Donna Blacklaw, Treasurer-Paula Tankersley, and team members Alana Tarkinton, Laura Wagner, Ann Horrisberger, Jon Ahrens, Donna Blacklaw, Paula Tankersley, Chrissy Phillips, Linda Phillips, Kay Barnes, Morgan Lawrence, Joy Duemke, and Ashley Kennedy.
How can I donate?
We accept donations by clicking “Donate” on our website or Facebook page or by check mailed to
WaySeekers Ministry
P.O. Box 518
Mount Ida, AR 71957
How can I get more information about WaySeekers Ministry?
For more information about WaySeekers Ministry please visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WaySeekersMinistry or our website at
https://www.wayseekersministry.org.
