EIN:  20-1192096
17623 Ford Rd.
Geneseo, IL.  61254-8787
Phone: (309) 944-3957, 507-0780 or 507-0781
Fax: (309) 944-1427
Email: wow4god@geneseo.net

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Posted Online: Jan 24, 2009 12:00AM

South Dakota family helped without reservations

By Claudia Loucks, correspondent@qconline.com

Photo: Claudia Loucks / correspondent Zach Saey, left, Kewanee; Anthony Iron Thunder; and Lori Ward, of Walk on Water Ministries, Geneseo, add items to a semi-tractor trailer that will be driven to Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota, filled with contributions for Mr. Iron Thunder's family, who recently lost their home and possessions in a fire.

GENESEO – No reservations were felt toward helping a family recover from a house fire on a South Dakota Indian reservation.

Bob and Lori Ward of Geneseo, founders of ''Walk on Water Ministries,'' found out about the tragic fire from their house guest, Anthony Iron Thunder, 17, who's attending Geneseo High School this year.

The house belonged to his grandmother, and many of Mr. Iron Thunder's relatives, ranging in age from 9 months to 82 years, lived in the home.

The family has moved into temporary housing, ''but they have nothing,'' Mrs. Ward said. ''We have four beds, but we are hoping people of this community and the surrounding area will reach out to help, with prayers and donations."

''We are hoping the family can rebuild, but for now they need items to help them survive,'' she said. ''The entire area has been hit hard with sub-zero temperatures, and many of the people are in need of outerwear.''

She called it a miracle that the 14 people in the house made it out alive, in minus 30 degree temperatures and no shelter near them, she said.

''They had no coats to wear and nothing to cover their feet,'' Mrs. Ward said.

The Lakota Indian Tribe of that area is helping out as much as possible, but ''it is a relatively poor community,'' she said.

The family belongs to the tribe, and Mr. Iron Thunder's grandmother had stored many of its artifacts and church memorabilia, all of which also were destroyed in the fire.

Although they can't replace these material items, the Wards want to help the family get back on their feet, and partly relieve Mr. Iron Thunder's concerns, Mrs. Ward said.

''Anthony is an outstanding young man who was brave enough to leave family and home for a better education,'' Mrs. Ward said ''While he has been in Geneseo, Anthony looked into attending an Indian boarding school in California because he wanted to learn more about his culture. When completing the school year, he plans to return to the reservation to help teach the younger kids living there.

''We are so proud of him for taking another brave step in fulfilling his dream for his future,'' Mrs. Ward said. ''He has been like a brother to our son, Josh Ward, 17, and we welcomed him into our family with open arms.''

Mr. and Mrs. Ward have spent nearly 30 years ministering to teens, and has taken hundreds of teens and adults on mission trips to the reservation during the last few years.

''We have been very close to Anthony’s family over the years, and we want to do exactly what our mission statement says Walk on Water Ministries is all about -- that we believe the Gospel of Jesus is not just about words, but also actions, Mrs. Ward said.

Mr. Iron Thunder was amazed at the generosity.

''I can’t believe so many people want to help a family they don’t even know,'' he said. ''This will mean so much to my family.''

Mr. Iron Thunder returned home for a visit earlier this week with as many supplies as volunteers were able to collect. He'll return to Geneseo in time to take his final exams.

The Wards also hope to fill a semi-tractor trailer with more household items and supplies to later send to the reservation.

List of supplies being sought. --Outerwear, sizes adult L – 4 XL.

-- Children's new clothing, boys' sizes 2, 3, 4 and 5 toddler; girls' sizes 6-9 months, 12 months, 18-24 months, 3 toddler and 5 toddler.

--New shoes, boys' sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12; girls' sizes 6; ladies' size 9.

--Diapers, sizes 3, 4, 5 and 6.

--Bedding.

--Towels.

--Kitchen utensils.

--Dinnerware.

--Non-perishable food items.

--School supplies, including a computer in working order, if possible.

--Small electric appliances.

--An electric washer and dryer.

--Approximately $1,700 to cover fuel and shipping costs.

Cash contributions can be mailed to Walk on Water Ministries, c/o Bob and Lori Ward, 17623 Ford Road, Geneseo, IL, 61254, or mailed to the Eagle/Archambault Families, c/o the Rev. Tony Grossenburg, St. Bernard’s Parish, P.O. Box 539, McLaughlin, S.D., 57642.

For larger items, call Mrs. Ward at (309) 944-3957 to make drop-off arrangements.

Posted Online: Posted online: December 20, 2007 11:07 AM
Print publication date: 12/22/2007

Santa will be making late deliveries by semi not sleigh

By Claudia Loucks, correspondent@qconline.com

Photo: Claudia Loucks Josh Ward, left; and his parents, Bob and Lori Ward, Geneseo, founders of Walk On Water Ministries, are organizing a charity drive for victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, La., and a mitten and hat drive for the Lakota Native American Indians of Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Donations will be collected on Saturday, Dec. 29, in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church, Geneseo

GENESEO -- A Santa semi will replace his sleigh to finish making some late Christmas deliveries.
Bob and Lori Ward, founders of Walk on Water Ministries of Geneseo will collect and send gifts to victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, La., and to Lakota Native American Indians at Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota.
The Wards will collect donations from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church, Geneseo. Items will be sent to their destinations in January.
Items sought include new toys; gift bags; good working appliances; painting supplies such as brushes, regular size rollers and four-inch rollers; sturdy eight- and 10-foot ladders, and scaffolding for folks in New Orleans.
"And we need warm hats, mittens, scarves and nice coats for the Lakota children and elderly in chilly South Dakota," she said.
Cash contributions also are needed to help cover fuel costs for the "WOW semi" to transport supplies and to buy large quantities of drywall for New Orleans' homes.
"There are still thousands of families who remain homeless until their houses can be repaired," Mrs. Ward said. "They are living in ‘tent cities' and FEMA trailers, and many have been swindled more than once by dishonest contractors who took their money and disappeared without doing any work."
The Wards also will take unwrapped toys to New Orleans for parents to choose which ones to give to their kids.
"We also need teens and adults from area churches and organizations to volunteer their time on Dec. 29 to pack and load the donations," Mrs. Ward said. "Pickup trucks also are needed to help collect the donated items from those people who have no way to deliver them."
Anyone willing to help should call Mrs. Ward at (309) 944-3957.
The Geneseo Youth Ministry Network, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, and Kay and Tom Conroy, who currently are volunteering in New Orleans, are co-sponsoring the event, along with Walk on Water Ministries.
The Wards began their "WOW Ministries" in 2006, formalizing many year's of similar outreach efforts.
Matthew 14:27-29 inspired the name. In that Scripture, Jesus said: "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid. Come, walk on the water with me."
"We had used those verses many times to stress to teens that we all need to get out of our comfort zones, to step `out of the boat' to serve the Lord," Mrs. Ward said. "When you do that, you are like Peter, trusting Jesus enough to take that step out and walk on the water with Him."
It matches their organization's mission statement.
"We believe the Gospel of Jesus is not just about words, but also actions," it reads. "We wish to help teens and adults share their faith through many different kinds of practical help; from feeding the homeless to rebuilding their homes; as well as telling about the Christian beliefs that inspire those actions. WOW Ministries is a movement of Christians dedicated to presenting Jesus personally to this generation."
Organizing mission trips is a main part of their ministry, Mrs. Ward said.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward bought a charter bus to provide a more practical and economical way to take people on such mission trips, or to events such as Christian concerts and retreats.

They named the bus "The WOW Boat," Mrs. Ward said, "As you step off of the bus, you are stepping out of the boat for the Lord."

Posted Online: Posted online: January 11, 2007 4:53 PM
Print publication date: 01/13/2007

Geneseo teens step out of the boat in sending gifts for Lakota Indians

By Claudia Loucks, correspondent@qconline.com

Photo: Claudia Loucks Geneseo High School seniors Corey Akers, left, and Jeremy Peters, right, are among area teenagers who helped Lori Ward, center, collect Christmas gifts for Lakota Native Americans living on reservations in South Dakota. The collection project was spearheaded by Mrs. Ward and her husband, Bob Ward, founders of Walk on Water Ministries. Gifts were taken to South Dakota in a semi-truck. Additional items sent were for a garage sale to be held at the reservation.

GENESEO -- Local teenagers really " `WOW'ed" some South Dakota Lakota kids earlier this month.

They collected and sent more than 1,500 presents to children living in South Dakota reservations, as part of a Walk on Water -- WOW -- Ministries outreach project.

WOW Ministries partnered with Geneseo Young Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes groups to collect gifts for babies through teens.

"We also received gifts from the kids in Mike Croegaert's CCD group at St. Malachy's Catholic Church," WOW co-founder Lori Ward said. "We asked local and Quad-City area businesses for contributions, so that we could purchase gifts, and to help us with fuel costs in transporting the gifts to South Dakota. We received over $3,000."

Her husband and group co-founder, Bob Ward; their son, Josh Ward; and recent Geneseo High School graduate Nora Fortune, took the gifts to Standing Rock Reservation in McLaughlin, S.D. Presents were divided among six towns.

The truck also contained many household items for Lakotas to hold a fundraising garage sale. Money raised will help rebuild a church on a Bullhead, S.D., reservation. The church was destroyed by fire in 2005.

Gift distribution was overseen by six priests serving Catholic churches in that region of South Dakota.

Each gift was wrapped by the Ward family before loaded aboard the truck.

"We also had several family boxes made up that had games and toys," Mrs. Ward said. "And all of the items were new."

They also used about $700 worth of donated money to buy additional toys for after-Christmas bargain prices, she said.

Organizing mission trips to these reservations is a main and highly recognized part of WOW ministry efforts, Mrs. Ward said.

A thank-you note published in a South Dakota newspaper shared the Lakota's gratitude toward WOW.

"These people don't know who and what we are, yet they go beyond their own means to help out in whatever way they can," read the ad. "Let this be an example to all for what it really means to be a Christian, and to minister God's Word, not only through word, but also through action."

Two other trips are planned for this summer -- the first from June 16-23 and the second from July 14-21.

"We can take 30 teens and 10 adults on each of the trips," Mrs. Ward said.

Anyone interested in joining them, should call (309) 944-3957.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward spent many years ministering to teens and visiting reservations before formalizing their efforts and creating WOW Ministries.

Its name is based on Matthew 14:27 and 29, in which Jesus said: "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid. Come, walk on the water with me."

"We had used those verses many time to stress to teens that we all need to get out of our comfort zones, to step `out of the boat' to serve the Lord," Mrs. Ward said. "When you do that, you are like Peter, trusting Jesus enough to take that step out and walk on the water with Him."

WOW's mission statement also ties closely with the Scripture.

"We believe the Gospel of Jesus is not just about words, but also actions," its statement reads. "We wish to help teens and adults share their faith through many different kinds of practical help; from feeding the homeless to rebuilding their homes; as well as telling about the Christian beliefs that inspire those actions. WOW Ministries is a movement of Christians dedicated to presenting Jesus personally to this generation."

Other major parts of Mr. and Mrs. Ward's ministry include leading a Tuesday night Bible study for all teens, and hosting Sunday night Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings.

Mr. and Mrs Ward also decided last year to buy a charter bus to make mission trips more practical and economical.

They nicknamed the bus "The WOW Boat,", Mrs. Ward said. "So as you step out of the bus, you are stepping out of the boat for the Lord."

`Walk on Water' encourages teens to minister to others

By Claudia Loucks, correspondent@qconline.com

Photo: Claudia Loucks Bob and Lori Ward, Geneseo, stand by a bus they bought to use for a `Walk On Water Ministries' they founded.

GENESEO -- Helping teenagers find a "walking-on-water-like faith" is what Bob and Lori Ward of Geneseo hope to do.

Mr. and Mrs Ward have spent 27 years ministering to teens, but recently decided to formalize their efforts, by creating a not-for-profit organization they call "Walk on Water Ministries" -- or WOW for short.

The name is based on Matthew 14:27 and 29, in which Jesus said, "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid ... Come, walk on the water with me.'|"

"We had used those verses many times to stress to teens that we all need to get out of our comfort zones, to step `out of the boat' to serve the Lord," Mrs. Ward said. "When you do that, you are like Peter, trusting Jesus enough to take that step out and walk on the water with Him."

It also ties in perfectly to its mission statement, which reads: "We believe the Gospel of Jesus is not just about words, but also actions. We wish to help teens and adults share their faith through many different kinds of practical help; from feeding the homeless to rebuilding their homes; as well as telling about the Christian beliefs that inspire those actions. WOW Ministries is a movement of Christians dedicated to presenting Jesus personally to this generation."

Organizing mission trips to Indian reservations is a main part of their ministry, Mrs. Ward said. Adults and teens taking such trips spend time teaching Bible school, leading Bible studies and doing repair work.

Trips to Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota will be taken June 10-17 and July 15-22. Room remains for teens entering the ninth grade or above, and any adults to join them on the trip.

For information, call (309) 944-3957 or (309) 944-1427 or to wow4god@geneseo.net email address.

Working with young adults is something Mr. and Mrs. Ward have felt compelled to do, since serving on Teens Encounter Christ teams 27 years ago. Mrs. Ward also served as youth minister at St. Malachy's Catholic Church in Geneseo from 2000 to October 2005.

While serving as youth, she contacted a friend serving the Lakota Native Americans at Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Mrs. Ward then began taking mission trip groups.

Seven teens went along on her first mission trip. Last year, 60 teens and adults took part.

Mr. Ward joined her for second trip and others since.

He was shocked by how much the Lord moved him as he watched the Illinois teens and adults serve so unselfishly.

"He also saw the change of heart of the Lakota people," Mrs. Ward said. "The reservation is a land of poverty, and their biggest poverty is hopelessness."

He decided to keep returning because he kept seeing more hope in their lives, and felt called to preach the Gospel to them, eventually leading them to create their new ministry.

They also bought a used charter bus as a more practical and economical way to take participants on mission trips, or to events such as Christian concerts, retreats, or other "fun days like to Great America," she said.

"We have nicknamed the bus `The WOW Boat,' so as you step out of the bus, you are stepping out of the boat for the Lord," Mrs. Ward said.

They also bought a large, moving van trailer to be pulled behind a semi to transport food items, building supplies, Bible school materials and donations to the Lakota people.

Donated items collected this year will be sold during a garage sale, with proceeds to help rebuild a burnt-down church on the reservation.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward also want to go on mission trips to other Indian reservations, or needy areas such as New Orleans, the Appalachians, or inner-city places "to help serve God's people across the nation."

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