Joe and Shelley Welch are Christ-followers with hearts of compassion for the people of God.
As a student at Ozark Christian College, Joe became involved with kids needing help at a local residential treatment facility. Soon thereafter, he began leading worship services at a nursing home. Then he learned about A.R.M. Prison Outreach, and the door of opportunity opened for him to join that ministry team. For the last 35 years, the Lord has used Joe to share the Gospel of Christ with prisoners in the United States, and even overseas in Russia.
Shelley is also a lover of Christ and His people. Even as a mom with four school-age children, Shelly had a passion for nursing. So, she went back to college, became an R.N., and worked for years at a hospital and nursing home. Nine years ago, Shelley felt the Lord leading her into a life-changing ministry for women at Choices Medical Clinic.
Tragically, in just the past year, both Joe and Shelley have experienced serious health complications…which have left them facing significant financial hardship!
Shelley was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent major surgery. Three weeks later, she collapsed, fell and fractured bones in her face, and underwent another extensive surgery. Then, while recovering, she developed a severe kidney infection…and came down with COVID!
In the meantime, while dealing with Shelley’s medical issues, Joe was working outside their house when he succumbed to a heat stroke and had to be rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the local hospital.
And then, “to add insult to injury,” the basement of their house flooded! During the cleanup, toxic mold was discovered which required a professional team to seal off that portion of their house, remove the entire floor and at least two feet of the basement walls.
The physical, emotional and financial burden to these two faithful kingdom servants is overwhelming!
While health insurance has covered a portion of their medical expenses, Joe and Shelley are facing $20,000 in hospital, doctor, ambulance, house repair, and other related costs…and they just don’t have the money!
I know $20,000 is a lot of money…but I read in the book of Acts that when any of the 1st century Christians were facing a need, the others “sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” (Acts 2:45).
So, today I’m asking for your compassion and generosity on behalf of Joe and Shelley Welch.
Here are three ways you can make a donation to KBF:
1. Give Online: Click the “Give Today” button below. Then select the Joe and Shelley Welch Project in the drop-down menu and follow the rest of the step-by-step instructions.
2. Mail a Check: (Write Joe and Shelley Welch Project on the memo line)
Your gift can be mailed directly to:
Kairos Benevolence Fund
PO Box 19142
Tucson, AZ 85731-9142
3. Give a Gift From your Qualified IRA (or other Retirement Plan) – or Stock, Real-Estate, or other non-cash Assets.
Whichever method of giving works best for you, please help! Let’s show this faithful ministry couple how compassionate and generous the family of God can be.