A Faithful God in a Forgotten Place
Welch, West Virginia, has motivated several Mt. Bethel Church members to live on mission — not simply because of the immense need, but because of the relationships built over the last two decades. Each return is more than a trip; it’s a continuation of presence.
“I feel like the entirety of planning and going on this recent trip to Welch was inspired by God,” said Marla Arnold, who led a team of nine alongside her husband, Greg, in April 2026.
The Arnolds have served on many teams sent to Welch over the years. Each return is more than a trip; it’s an opportunity to strengthen relationships and a chance to witness God’s ongoing faithfulness.
That faithfulness was evident at Reclamation Church, Mt. Bethel’s ministry partner in Welch. “Attendance seemed to be more than double from our last visit in November,” Marla shared. She had the opportunity to lead prayer as the church celebrated the baptism of a new believer.
“It’s a blessing to serve alongside them and serve the people of Welch,” she said. “They are very community-minded and love people deeply. They also have missionaries who work tirelessly to share the gospel, especially with young people.”
As they have in previous visits, Mt. Bethel’s team hosted a Ladies’ Night Out for the women of Welch — this year at Reclamation Church. Twenty-five women gathered for food, fellowship, and a painting activity centered on an Easter cross — guided by a video tutorial recorded at a similar event held weeks earlier at Mt. Bethel.
“Rebekah Harrison, the artist from our Women’s Ministry event, graciously allowed our media team to film her so we could use it in Welch,” Marla explained.
For Rebekah, the moment came full circle. She had shared at the original event that she came to faith in Jesus Christ while on a mission trip to Kenya. By permitting us to record the event at Mt. Bethel, her story and her gift offered that same hope to others.
And hope is deeply needed in Welch.
“You would not believe the stories they have,” remarked Sue Stone, another member of April’s mission team. “Addiction, prostitution, jail. It starts so young — addiction at 14, abuse even earlier. There’s so much pain. And there’s not much to do, so some people never go out. All they know is their pain and whatever’s on TV.”
In McDowell County, where Welch is located, between 34% and 38% of residents live below the poverty line; more than double the state average (2026 Census Reporter data; USAFacts.org). Many families rely on food assistance, and the region continues to face some of the nation’s highest rates of drug-related deaths and hospitalizations.
“To know you’ve brought some joy into their life, even just for a day…” Sue said, her voice trailing off. She admitted that processing the experience after returning home is never easy.
Still, moments of joy stood out.
“It was heartwarming to see them laugh and paint together,” Marla said. She recalled watching friends linger long after the event ended — talking, laughing, and celebrating a young girl who won a handmade quilt with Scripture on it and proudly declared she would sleep under it every night.
Nancy Taylor experienced her own “God moment” that evening. While connecting with two women sitting alone, she began walking with one back to her apartment.
“When I asked her name, I immediately recognized her from a trip about 10 years ago,” Nancy said. “She had changed so much, but God brought that connection back in a way that made the night incredibly special.”
As they arrived, they saw other women gathered outside the building who were still talking about the event — evidence, Nancy said, that something deeper had taken place. “It was confirmation that we had shared the love of the Lord in a meaningful way. God is good, all the time.”
Throughout the trip, the team saw how God was working in unexpected details. When their initial plans shifted, they found an opportunity to serve at Lion of Judah New Beginnings, a developing recovery ministry in the area.
The team painted a classroom and sorted clothing for a future thrift store that will help support the ministry. In response, the organization later shared that Mt. Bethel’s team had been part of God’s faithful provision — people sent at just the right time.
“We had the opportunity to be an answer to prayer,” Marla said.
The need for ministries like this is critical. The opioid crisis has created a “perfect storm” in southern West Virginia, contributing not only to addiction but also to increased vulnerability to human trafficking (per McDowell County Sheriff’s Department).
Mt. Bethel’s team witnessed that reality firsthand during time spent at Zera House, a home for survivors of trafficking. The Arnolds and several other team members had first connected with the ministry on a previous trip. This time, most of the team built a chicken run while Christy McIntire, who is a warrior on Mt. Bethel’s prayer team, invested time with residents.
Christy described how this left a lasting impression on her.
“We heard powerful testimonies of faith — women living out what it means to be made new,” she said, referencing 2 Corinthians 5:17. “It reminded me of the importance of listening, meeting people where they are, and encouraging growth. When you go on mission, you are a visitor in their home. You have a short window to share Christ’s love and plant seeds.”
Two of those women — including the house mom at Zera House — later attended the Ladies’ Night event, joining in the laughter and fellowship they had helped make possible.
For the Mt. Bethel team, the trip wasn’t defined by a single project or moment, but by a steady thread running through it all: presence — because living on mission doesn’t begin with a plan; it begins with people showing up, staying present, and returning again and again.
After twenty years, the relationships built in Welch have become more than ministry —they are a living picture of the gospel itself: a God who doesn’t just enter broken places once, but comes back, stays close, and faithfully makes all things new.
Ready to go on mission? Visit mtbethel.org/missions to learn more about upcoming mission trips with Mt. Bethel Church.