neighborhood

John 1:14 says of Jesus, “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” 


This may seem obvious, but our church building has an address. 2101 Jules, St. Joseph, Missouri, USA. N 39° 46’ 6.914” W 94° 50’ 5.201” according to Google Maps. It’s a specific place with real flesh and blood neighbors who have real needs, real pain, real triumphs, real stories. Wellspring is so committed to being a tangible source of God’s healing love in our neighborhood that we didn’t just buy a church building in the neighborhood, we bought a house too, where we welcome our neighbors as neighbors. Our ministry in our neighborhood centers around three main things: 

The Guest House, Edison Elementary School, and Food for Kids. 

Guest House


Our Vision:

To show and tell Jesus to the Edison and Wellspring neighborhood


Our Values: 

Grace - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Grow - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

Give - "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:13). 


Our prayer is that anyone who is committed to the Guest House will give themselves and others grace by loving people right where they are in their current situations, grow in their relationship with Christ and life skills, and give back to the Wellspring community and neighborhood. 


For more information on the Guest House, please contact Sam Donahoo. 

edison elementary school

Wellspring is just a couple of blocks from Edison Elementary School, and we continue to partner with the leadership and families at the school through mentoring, coaching, walking kids safely to and from school, classroom help, resources for parties and hosting special events. The Edison staff know that we stand with them in educating kids and supporting families, so their kids can thrive at school and in life. For more information on getting involved with Edison Elementary, please contact Sam Donahoo. 


Click here to see an article from the St. Joseph News Press on the Edison Walking School Bus! 

food for kids

Food for Kids is a ministry that loves and feeds hungry kids in our neighborhood during the summer months when they are not receiving school lunches. We did not start this ministry. However, when we heard that Sheila and Kenzie Gilbert were preparing hundreds of meals on their own each week, we knew we wanted to help any way we could. Each summer, many Wellspring volunteers donate food supplies and financial support, help prepare meals, hang out and play with the kids who come to eat, and work on projects like building a storage shed and providing other material needs.   


For more information on getting involved with Food for Kids, please contact Sam Donahoo.