WellSpring

river water

How we got started

Marshalltown, Iowa has been home to a large population of Sudanese refugees since the mid-1990s, and Trinity Lutheran Church is one of many groups that began to serve and build relationships with the refugees that had settled in Marshalltown. Once the civil war ended in 2011, members of the Sudanese community began to express the concerns they had for their families due to the lack of clean water in their homeland. What followed was a remarkable collaborative effort between Trinity Lutheran Church and Alaska Sudan Medical Project (ASMP). In February 2012 Board President, Greg Brown co-led, with Brett Burroughs from ASMP, a group to Jonglei Province to dig one well and rehab a second well in the village of Old Fangak, South Sudan.

Since returning from South Sudan the vision and desire to help provide clean water to Jonglei Province has grown. WellSpring Missions has received overwhelming support from local congregations and businesses, and is committed to providing clean and safe drinking water to rural communities in South Sudan.

 

Our Board

Gregory M. Brown, President, WellSpring Missions
Our family became involved with the Sudanese refugee families living in Marshalltown over 15 years ago. When they requested help for their friends and family in their homeland, we felt that Christ was guiding us to reach out to others in need.
Suzanne M. Brown, Treasurer
Our family has known Sudanese refugee families for more than 15 years. Several years ago, when our friends asked if we might assist them in securing clean water for their families and friends still in South Sudan, there was only one answer: YES.
Ray Micheel, Secretary, WellSpring Missions
I became involved in WellSpring Missions to help satisfy the basic need for clean water first in the village of Old Fangak and then to Fangak County.
Michael Donahey
My relationship with WellSpring Missions is two fold. I have reported on fund-raising, organizational and field activities of WellSpring Missions as a journalist with the Times-Republican in Marshalltown. I also traveled to Old Fangak, South Sudan, in February 2012 with other board members and assisted with the repair of one well and the installations of a second well, while reporting back to several media sources.
Chris Vaughn and Dean Vaughn
The passion displayed by several of our fellow members at Trinity Lutheran Church originally inspired us to get involved in this effort. “God’s work. Our hands.” has since been the inspiration for us to continue. We are committed to see the work in South Sudan sustained.
Matt Streeter
Ever since I was a teenager I have had a desire to go to Africa. My career in the water field and my wife's work at the House of Compassion paved the way for me to get there.
Dual Bijiek Gony
I am the Director General of Ministry of Information and Communications in Jonglei State, Republic of South Sudan. Through my job I am able to help coordinate the activities of WellSpring Missions in Jonglei State. I’m dedicated to providing clean water for the people of Fangak County, and support the work of WellSpring Missions.
Valerie King
I first became involved with WellSpring Missions when Greg asked me to build their website. I have been impressed with the focus on equipping local residents with equipment and training to build their own wells. When Greg and Suzanne asked me to serve on the board, particularly in a marketing capacity, the answer was an easy Yes.
Dennis Drager
I became involved with WellSpring Mission through my work with Rotary International water projects.
Bret M. Burroughs
is co-founder of Alaska Sudan Medical Project, and through the pilot projects implemented in that program, he found a growing need for economic sustainability through entrepreneurism. From that need, WellSpring Missions was born.”
Rev. Dr. Richard King
My wife, Valerie , worked with Greg professionally and later developed the WellSpring website. Greg and Suzanne later joined our church and I soon became familiar with their work with WellSpring. When they asked if I would fill a pastoral role on the board I was glad to become a part of this ministry.