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Ministry offers help to those in need
By: Kelli Bamforth, Staff Writer
kellibamforth@sunpublications.com
Exposure to domestic violence at a young age led Madeline Vance, Waldo, to create the Pearls of Christ Outreach Ministry.
Pearls of Christ reaches out to people in need or in crisis situations, Vance said. The ministry offers outreach and tutoring, aid to battered women and domestic violence counseling based on Christian principles.
“We work with men also who have been battered or are in battering situations,” Vance said. “We provide drug counseling, shelter, utility assistance. … Basically, any type of crisis assistance. It may be food or temporary housing. We offer and encourage getting an education, understanding what domestic violence is and relationship counseling.”
The organization also supports discovering a cure for sarcoidosis, diabetes and breast cancer.
Vance said she wants the community more involved in ministry efforts.
“Oftentimes individuals close their eyes and don’t become aware of the needs in the community,” Vance said. “Individuals are hurting and because of the lack of education and awareness individuals have nowhere to turn or feel like they have nowhere to turn. The outreach we provide is why we extend a plea to the community for assistance.”
The ministry serves between 300 and 400 families a year, Vance said. Services are available to everyone, not just Christians, she said.
Workshops include A Strong Eve, a support group for women in unhealthy and abuse relationships, and Like Christ Loved, a workshop for women who have gone through divorce.
“(In another workshop) our goal is to encourage them not to get a divorce,” Vance said. “I know what divorce is and I know the shattering it does to the family.”
Pearl is the name of Vance’s aunt. The two shared a close relationship, Vance said.
“She was in a very serious domestic crisis. I experienced at a very young age watching her be battered and abused, mentally and physically,” she said. “I recall the police coming out and not really helping, just telling her to go back in the house and calm down.
“She ended up killing her husband and grieving herself to death, leaving four children. I became committed to teaching about domestic violence in the public eye. What was always in the back of my mind was what can I do to educate or help make sure no other family or wife or husband went through this.
“As I got older I prayed about it and the Lord gave me Pearls of Christ Outreach Ministry.”
Vance is no stranger herself to domestic violence. Having gone through three divorces, she used the experiences to shape her education.
“Instead of looking at it as negative I used each one of those crises as a stair step,” she said. “I got my associate’s and then my bachelor’s in Christian administration. I got my master’s in Christian counseling and I will graduate in May with a doctorate degree from Faith Bible College in pastoral theology with an emphasis in psychology.
“Instead of allowing a crisis to overtake you, you can overcome that crisis. Education is very important both naturally and spiritually.”
For more information about Pearls of Christ Outreach Ministry or Marriage Fitness, contact Vance at 822-7466.
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Pearls of Christ reaches out to people in need or in crisis situations, Vance said. The ministry offers outreach and tutoring, aid to battered women and domestic violence counseling based on Christian principles.
“We work with men also who have been battered or are in battering situations,” Vance said. “We provide drug counseling, shelter, utility assistance. … Basically, any type of crisis assistance. It may be food or temporary housing. We offer and encourage getting an education, understanding what domestic violence is and relationship counseling.”
The organization also supports discovering a cure for sarcoidosis, diabetes and breast cancer.
Vance said she wants the community more involved in ministry efforts.
“Oftentimes individuals close their eyes and don’t become aware of the needs in the community,” Vance said. “Individuals are hurting and because of the lack of education and awareness individuals have nowhere to turn or feel like they have nowhere to turn. The outreach we provide is why we extend a plea to the community for assistance.”
The ministry serves between 300 and 400 families a year, Vance said. Services are available to everyone, not just Christians, she said.
Workshops include A Strong Eve, a support group for women in unhealthy and abuse relationships, and Like Christ Loved, a workshop for women who have gone through divorce.
“(In another workshop) our goal is to encourage them not to get a divorce,” Vance said. “I know what divorce is and I know the shattering it does to the family.”
Pearl is the name of Vance’s aunt. The two shared a close relationship, Vance said.
“She was in a very serious domestic crisis. I experienced at a very young age watching her be battered and abused, mentally and physically,” she said. “I recall the police coming out and not really helping, just telling her to go back in the house and calm down.
“She ended up killing her husband and grieving herself to death, leaving four children. I became committed to teaching about domestic violence in the public eye. What was always in the back of my mind was what can I do to educate or help make sure no other family or wife or husband went through this.
“As I got older I prayed about it and the Lord gave me Pearls of Christ Outreach Ministry.”
Vance is no stranger herself to domestic violence. Having gone through three divorces, she used the experiences to shape her education.
“Instead of looking at it as negative I used each one of those crises as a stair step,” she said. “I got my associate’s and then my bachelor’s in Christian administration. I got my master’s in Christian counseling and I will graduate in May with a doctorate degree from Faith Bible College in pastoral theology with an emphasis in psychology.
“Instead of allowing a crisis to overtake you, you can overcome that crisis. Education is very important both naturally and spiritually.”
For more information about Pearls of Christ Outreach Ministry or Marriage Fitness, contact Vance at 822-7466.