Encouragement Ministries was formed to support the pastoral care ministry of Russ Corley.  After he received his PhD, Russ served two churches as a preacher with a special emphasis on ministry to patients and families in hospitals. In 1990, a group of committed individuals formed Encouragement Ministries as a Christian ministry focused on encouraging and supporting patients and their families during a hospital crisis.  For ten years the ministry worked under the oversight of the Madison Church of Christ. In 2001, Encouragement Ministries received 501 (c) (3) status from the IRS as a Not for Profit Organization. Pat Ward began working with Encouragement Ministries on a part-time basis in 2006. In 2017, Pat began working full time with Encouragement Ministries. Her gifts and service have greatly expanded our outreach. Most of her work is outside of the context of hospitals working in other crisis situations, especially in support of women and families dealing with challenges with children.