Village Bible Church currently supports seven organizations in the Hot Springs area to help men, women, and children in crisis with our funding and direct involvement. We also share the gospel of Jesus Christ and help grow the Christian faith in the youth of our community.
Pregnancy Center and Parenting Resource Center
JoAnn Carter
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Change Point: Helping Women and Families in Crisis
Whether helping a pregnant woman to give birth or teaching mothers and fathers how to care for their families, Change Point is there to help. The center has been helping families and single parents for over thirty years. Services offered: free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, education of fetal development, referrals to health care agencies, parenting programs and classes, fatherhood programs and classes, supervision for parental court-ordered visitation, domestic violence classes, AND biblically-faith based classes to help a parent accomplish positive, loving parenting skills.
Why VBC supports Change Point:
VBC actively supports Change Point’s mission to help stop abortion, and to give families and single parents hope by taking them out of crisis. In addition to financial support, VBC supports the Center providing supplies and equipment.
Our Women in God’s Service (WINGS) Ministry, a sewing ministry, makes and donates over 150 layettes annually. For many of the Moms, this is the only diaper bag, buntings, bibs, etc. that they have for their baby. A brand new 4-D ultrasound was given to the Center, paid for by VBC. Also, several VBC members volunteer their time and services at the Center.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for the women and families who utilize Change Point. May they be receptive to the services and love given freely by Change Point staff and volunteers. May they see the hope offered through Jesus Christ.
2. Pray for the health and stamina of the staff.
3. Pray for God to supply funding and volunteers to fill the needs of the Center.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Micah May
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Reaching Coaches, Teams & Athletes for Jesus Christ
FCA’s mission is to see the world transformed by leading every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. FCA recognizes that coaches are key role models to young athletes. Therefore, FCA seeks to minister first to coaches (their hearts, marriages, and families) then, to reach out and minister to fellow coaches, teams, and athletes. Summer camps and an annual Christian rally, “Fields of Faith,” are major activities that present the message of Jesus Christ.
Why VBC supports FCA:
VBC believes that we must be involved in engaging, equipping, and empowering young men and women for a relationship with Jesus Christ. To that end, over 100 scholarships are awarded annually to athletes in our local area to attend FCA’s camps and rallies. In addition to financial support, individual VBC members volunteer their time.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for Director Mica May and his staff as they reach out to 20,000 students in South Central Arkansas each school year.
2. Pray that the annual Fields of Faith and Courts for Christ rallies will result in many students accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.
3. Pray for the growth of the coaches’ Huddle Clubs at the schools, and that lives will be changed.
4. And, pray for financial and volunteer needs to be filled.
Garland County Jail Ministries, Inc. (GCJMI)
Dennis Brown
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Changing lives one life at a time with the love, word and witness of Christ Jesus
GCJMI ministers to the Garland County Sheriff’s Department, deputies, detainees, and their families. Established in 1991, the ministry provides a Christ-centered ministry to the inmates and their families.
Dennis, who is a member of VBC, is an ordained minister, and has worked with the Salvation Army and other non-profit organizations. His duties are varied — from personal counseling, teaching classes, acting as a liaison between the inmate and authorities and organizations, and training and supervising volunteers. He has a deep concern for loving the inmate. Dennis oversees and organizes the volunteers who also minister to the inmates by conducting Bible studies and providing worship services.
Why VBC Supports:
“I was in prison, and you visited me...” Matt. 25:37. All people, including the incarcerated, need to be told about Jesus Christ, and His redeeming love.
Prayer Requests:
1. Salvation for inmates and their family members is the priority of this ministry.
2. Pray for God’s wisdom and direction for all who participate.
3. Pray for God’s wisdom as Dennis leads this effort.
Witness Productions, Inc.
Judy McEarl
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Sharing the Gospel through music and theater
THE WITNESS is Arkansas’ musical passion play which tells the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Music and song tell this powerful story as told by the Apostle Peter. Having been produced in Hot Springs since 1981, THE WITNESS provides spiritual and inspirational family entertainment. From a single church, it has now grown to a cast representing over 40 area churches and Christian groups. THE WITNESS travels around the state to carry the message of Jesus Christ to community theaters, prisons, schools, convention centers and other venues.
Why VBC Supports:
Through this theatrical presentation, hearts of many have been opened to the message of Jesus Christ. VBC actively supports THE WITNESS in their efforts to present the gospel in this manner.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray that the message of Jesus Christ, as told in THE WITNESS, will be well received by all, and that many will come to faith in Christ.
2. Pray for opportunities for the production of THE WITNESS
3. And, The health and stamina of the actors and crew as they present this physically demanding performance.
Potter’s Clay Ministries
Chris & Diana Brakebill
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Helping Women & Children in Crisis
Potter’s Clay Ministries, Inc. was founded in 1984 as an outreach to women and children in crisis. No state or federal funding is accepted. Therefore, Potter’s Clay depends completely on support from churches, organizations, and individuals. Food, clothing, and shelter are provided to the homeless, addicted, and abused women. Also, classes in anger management, parenting, Christian growth, and counseling are offered, Most importantly, the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented as the answer to all of life’s problems.
Why VBC Supports:
The most effective witness is to show the love of Jesus to a person in need. Jesus said, “As you do to the least of these, you do to me.” Matt 25:40
VBC gladly supports the mission of Potter’s Clay.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for patience, enduring faith, and good health for the staff as they minister to these women,
2. Pray that the lives of the women and children served by Potter’s Clay will be changed,
3. And pray for continual and adequate funding.
Arkansas Racetrack Chaplaincy
Rich and Robi Heffington
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Ministering to the horse racing industry at Oaklawn Racetrack
Through its council, chaplains, and volunteers, the overall mission of the Arkansas Racetrack Chaplaincy (ARTC) is to make disciples for Jesus Christ through teaching, preaching, and ministering to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of those persons involved in all aspects of the racing industry in Hot Springs. The goal of ARTC is to bring God’s grace and salvation to the working people of the “back of the track.”
Both Rich and Robi have worked in the horse racing industry, and can easily identify with the people of this closed community. They work to personally know each of the 1,500+ behind the track workers through one-on-one interaction, and small and large group activities. The Oaklawn community becomes a “second family” to many because of the efforts of Rich and Robi.
Why VBC Supports:
The Oaklawn community presents a great need for the message of God’s love for the individual. VBC is proud to actively support ARTC and their activities that bring Jesus Christ into their daily lives.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray God’s wisdom for Robi and Rich as they plan activities that will engage with the “back of the track” workers,
2. Pray that the employees’ hearts will be softened and that they will accept Jesus Christ as their loving Savior,
3. And, pray for stamina and health for both Rich and Robi as they daily undertake to serve in this massive ministry.
Adult and Teen Challenge of Arkansas
Tim Culbert
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Educating men 18 and older with life-controlling problems with a Biblically sound program
Adult and Teen Challenge of Arkansas provides a Christian discipleship program with the goal of helping men who struggle with life-controlling issues such as addiction. It offers educational programs that are Biblically sound and highly structured. This organization provides the best care possible for the students, and is greatly involved in the local area by being focused on community service and participation. The staff leads by example and shares their faith through their actions by serving others.
Why VBC Supports:
VBC actively supports Adult and Teen Challenge, a completely voluntary, 15 month faith based program helping men to become men of God who are free of addictions.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray that the male students will recognize their need to experience God’s mercy and grace, and allow God’s transforming power into their lives.
2. Being a residential program, pray for a spirit of community among staff and students, especially health issues.
3. And, pray for adequate funding especially as Arkansas mandates increments in the state’s minimum wage.
