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May Ministry Spotlight - HIS Ministries - Meeting Needs with Compassion and Care
- Amber Cole
- May 18
- 4 min read
This month, we are spotlighting HIS Ministries, a ministry in Santa Fe, Texas, that is working to overcome the obstacles rural residents of Galveston County face in accessing much needed resources. Founded in 1991, HIS Ministries exists to share God’s love by providing compassionate assistance to individuals and families in need throughout the Hitchcock and Santa Fe communities. They meet both physical and emotional needs through food, financial support, spiritual guidance, and other essential services, empowering neighbors to overcome hardship and build a more stable future. Their doors are open three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Serving with HIS Ministries was a true joy. I had the opportunity to spend a morning connecting and serving at their food pantry, which is incredibly organized and feels more like a welcoming little store than a traditional pantry. There is seating for neighbors as they arrive, and the check in process is smooth and thoughtful. Once someone is checked in, a volunteer, on this day that was me, is given a card indicating how many items they can select from each section based on their household size and needs.
From there, the volunteer walks alongside them through the store as they choose items their family will enjoy, bagging them along the way. The pantry offers much more than just non perishable goods. There are meats, eggs, dairy, and frozen items available as well. When selections are complete, the volunteer waits at the exit with the groceries while the neighbor brings their car around, and then everything is loaded for them.
It may seem like a short interaction, just ten minutes or so, but it is such a meaningful part of the ministry. As I walked alongside the neighbors I served that day, I heard pieces of their stories. We talked, connected, and shared small moments that carried real weight.
One woman I had the privilege of serving, Bonnie, shared that she was recovering from a back injury and navigating a very difficult season. As she spoke, she became overwhelmed with emotion, sharing the reality of her limitations and the challenges she was facing. I had the sweet opportunity to pray over Bonnie for healing, endurance, and God’s provision. Afterward, she shared how much it means to come to HIS Ministries, not just to receive what she needs to survive, but to experience the love and care of the volunteers. Because of this heart for ministry, it is common for neighbors to begin their visit by asking for prayer.
One of the unique aspects of HIS Ministries is that they are not supplied by large food distribution organizations, as those partnerships often come with restrictions that would limit their ability to pray with and share the Gospel with those they serve. Instead, they are supported by local churches and use those funds to purchase food through wholesale distributors and local stores. They also receive donations from area businesses. On the day I was there, the freezer was stocked with items like Auntie Anne’s pretzel bites and Texas Roadhouse frozen rolls, such a fun and unexpected blessing.
While a large portion of their support comes from local churches, nearly half of the ministry’s funding is sustained through their resale shop. Located at a separate site, the resale shop operates with the same level of organization, care, and commitment to service. Ruth has been leading the operations there since it began in 1993.
The resale shop is so much more than a source of funding. It is a place of dignity and support. Through a voucher system, individuals and families in need can receive clothing. There is also a shower and washer and dryer onsite for those without stable housing, allowing them access during operating hours. Additionally, they have a room filled with medical equipment that is provided free of charge to anyone in need.
The list of ways HIS Ministries serves the community is extensive. In addition to pantry services in both Santa Fe and Hitchcock, they offer grocery delivery for the homebound, transportation services, care groups, financial management assistance, help with rent and utilities, and monthly opportunities to meet with a representative who assists with managing government benefits. They also partner with local school districts to ensure families are aware of available resources and host seasonal drives, including back to school and Christmas programs, to support children in the community. If you would like to connect with HIS Ministries to volunteer or to help with their upcoming Back To School Bash, you can email janet@hisministries-sf.com
or visit their website at https://www.hisministries-sf.com/
One of my favorite parts of being out in the community is connecting with KJIC listeners and supporters. While touring the resale shop, I stepped into a workroom where a group of women were sorting and pricing items. That is where I met Donna. As soon as she heard I was from KJIC, her face lit up with joy and tears. She shared that she is a faithful listener and supporter and that she keeps the station playing throughout the night. Hearing how KJIC ministers to her and her family was such an overwhelming and humbling reminder of the reach and impact of this ministry.
We are so thankful for our listeners and donors, like Donna, who make it possible for KJIC to share stories like this and come alongside ministries like HIS Ministries. Because of your generosity, we are able to go beyond the airwaves and help connect people to places where real needs are being met with compassion, dignity, and the hope of Jesus. When you give, you are not just supporting a radio station, you are helping make moments like Bonnie’s possible. You are part of the prayers lifted, the groceries provided, the encouragement spoken, and the lives being strengthened each day. If you have ever wondered if your support matters, it does. You are helping bring hope to our community in real and lasting ways.