The Well Ministries Inc Information

Kris and Lou Rhoades founded The Well Ministries, Inc. in December 1999 with a mission to provide a drink of Living Water to a dry and thirsty world. In September 2000 they received a 501(c)(3) classification from the Internal Revenue Service making the ministry an official non-profit charity. In April 1999 they started publishing "The Well," a free monthly Christian publication of inspirational and encouraging stories, testimonies, and poems with the help of their printing business, Castle Printing. During the first 12 months of the publication's existence over 41,000 copies were printed and distributed free of charge to individuals, churches, food banks, and prison ministries. The monthly distribution increased to 5,000 copies each issue and it now reaches 30 states. For content the publication utilizes several local pastors, authors and poets. In addition it receives stories, poems and testimonies from its subscribers. The vision of "The Well" came to Kris in March 1999 after she attended a retreat where she was healed of years of depression. The speaker for that retreat was Rev. Earlene Coleman from McKeesport who later shared in the vision for the ministry. Rev. Coleman became a regular author for the publication and served as the Vice President for the ministry's Board of Directors from 1999-2002. Lou and Kris started attending the First Church of the Open Bible, also in McKeesport, in September of 1999 where they have been able to share their musical talents. They both have always participated as much as possible in their church's activities. In November 1999 a Worship Team was formed at the Open Bible Church. Not only do they both sing on it, but Kris plays keyboard and occasionally plays her flute. The Worship Team consists of Lou and Kris along with the Pastor, Bob Fagin who also plays guitar. In December 1999 the ministry was incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania. That same month, "Puppets for the King," the puppet ministry that Lou and Kris had been administrators of since 1991 at their former church, Kephart United Methodist Church, was donated to The Well Ministries. In February 2000 Lou, Kris, and Pastor Bob decided to minister outside of the church singing at nursing homes, other churches, etc. and "Chalice" was formed. Then in July 2001 Gary Coddington was added to the music ministry. In January 2004, Pastor Bob resigned from the ministry to spend more time with his family and in February 2004 Keith Szirmae was added to Chalice. Kris has appeared on two local Christian television programs and has been invited to speak at several local churches to share her testimony of how God intervened in her life, healed her from a lifetime of depression, and gave her the vision of this ministry. Currently the ministry occupies a portion of the building with Castle Printing in McKeesport, PA.