In August of 2002, the four founders of Water in the Desert Ministries (see core faculty) found themselves at crossroads and transitions in their lives.  They met in Albuquerque to discuss a joint venture and to discern where God was calling them.  It soon became clear that all four felt that God was calling the community of faith into a time of reformation.

As their discussion continued, the Isaiah 43:18-21 passage became a foundational text from which they felt God's call arise.  Each founder has a passion for participating in quenching the thirst of those seeking a deeper relationship with God.  Together God is calling them to offer opportunities for individuals to discover or re-discover the deep spring of living water within.

The mission statement was formalized in the fall of 2002 and the ministry was incorporated in New Mexico on December 31, 2002.  The organization received notice of its 501 (c) (3) non-profit status from the IRS on July 28, 2003.

2003 was designated as a time to ground the ministry and build it on a solid foundation.  A majority of the year was spent in developing a business plan and relationships with individuals, churches, denominational offices and organizations.  During the year workshops were provided in Kansas City.  Two of the founders who lived in Kansas City, moved to Albuquerque in June of 2003.  The main office is now in Albuquerque (see our location), and we will continue to have leadership for workshops and retreats, and a strong presence in the Kansas City area.

2004 was a year for writing resources, for working with individual pastors on personal spiritual renewal, for continuing national networking, and the focus in New Mexico and Kansas City, and for contracting with churches and groups to lead retreats and workshops.

2005 has continued along the path of grounding the ministry more firmly.  Workshops on the psalms, on prayer, and on deepening your spirituality have been offered in Albuquerque and Kansas City.  We received two grants for program development.  We were consultants for a church in NM on their discernment process.  We offered spiritual direction and clergy listening hours to many individuals and helped in the healing process of an individual congregation.  A logo was designed for us.  Since our birth as an organization we have been using clipart as our logo.  We are delighted to have a design that catches the spirit of the ministry with water springing forth out of a source in the desert.

2006 has been a year of development.  We revised Living Into the Answers: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Discernment and wrote the companion piece Discernment Into Transformation: A Corporate Guide to Spiritual Discernment. We also developed relationships with: The Ecumenical Institute for Ministry in Albuquerque, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.  New programs such as the School for Discernmentarians were designed and offered.  We continued to offer retreats and workshops on spiritual renewal; spiritual direction and clergy listening hours.

It is our belief that the ministry belongs to God and so our story will continue to develop as we listen to God for direction.

The name Water in the Desert Ministries symbolizes God's eagerness and yearning to quench our thirst even in the desert places of our lives.

(Photo courtesy of V. Isenhower Photography)

Contact Information:
505-899-3738
H2Ointhedesert@aol.com