History of OnWord
OnWord Christian Ministries (OnWord) began in 1996 in New Braunfels, TX.
It was a parallel ministry to Undivided Heart Ministries (UHM), which began in 1992.
Both of the ministries have the same vision: to glorify God, share His truth and show Christ's love to others.
Unidivided Heart Ministries
One of the differences between OnWord and UHM is the method of outreach each ministry engages in.
Undivided Heart Ministries has had an international focus from the beginning, and that vision is still the focus for the ministry today. UHM has assisted in establishing orphanages in Romania, as well as church planting and assisting in evangelism in many countries.
UHM has supported Kathmandu Bible Church in Kathmandu, Nepal for the last 15 years. This active church plant has seen tremendous growth over the past several years. Dhan Lama, who was supported by UHM to receive Biblical training at Asian Christian Academy (a Seminary in India which is affiliated with Dallas Theological Seminary), is the founder and pastor of Kathmandu Bible Church.
UHM has also supported Carson Atherley, who ministers to young people through the public schools in Barbados, for 8 years. OnWord has taken several mission trips to Barbados with groups of high school and college young people. Most of the school systems in Barbados are open to bringing an evangelistic message to their youth; the school administration in their country sees the value in emphasizing core Christian principles to the students that will help them be successful in life.
In our most recent mission trip to Barbados, OnWord created a program about Texas that integrated the presentation of the Gospel. Our program included music, puppets, skits, and clogging, all of which was performed in several elementary schools and high schools. We were able to interact with the students after most of the programs, and enjoyed getting to know the native people and their country.
UHM has also partnered with Time for Christ Medical Ministries by sending missionaries on several of their mission trips to Mexico. In addition, UHM is providing support to Lisa Yunker who is living in Cambodia for full-time missions. Lisa is sharing her love for Christ by utilizing her physical therapy profession to help many of the forgotten handicapped people in that country, as well as sharing the hope of the Gospel with the Cambodian people.
UHM is still very active in other local and foreign mission opportunities today.
OnWord Christian Ministries
OnWord Christian Ministries was created to provide local ministry through teachings and education, along with evangelism through music ministry and outreaches.
One specific vision of OnWord was to create a small Christian elementary school in New Braunfels, TX. We started the school in August of 1996 and continued the school until 2005. At that time, we began transitioning the school into a co-op home school program providing support and instruction to students by off- site teacher services.'
Mr. Steve Crosby, who was one of the Board of Directors and the on-site school principal, helped to shape the vision for the school, which provided a Christian environment for families who desired a smaller home-school type environment with the advantages of certified teachers and a quality education. The Crosby children each attended OnWord Christian School in their elementary school years. In fact, in our morning chapel, all the students of the school began some of their morning chapels with "Good Morning Jesus", one of the songs currently on our "You are My Peace" album.
In addition to their academics, the students participated in outreaches to people in nursing homes, children's homes, and facilities such as the MHMR center to perform music, puppet ministry, skits, and to assist in directing activities and games. This helped to lay a foundation in these students' lives about what it means to bless others and how to get a perspective outside themselves by serving with the gifts they have in given opportunities. The Crosbys continue this type of outreach through their participation in the OnWord music band, which also includes one of OnWord School’s very talented teachers, Jennifer. They each play instruments, sing, and help write the music for the OnWord music ministries.
We have been able to serve Christian families who faced needs after the flood of '98, as well as families who were struggling financially to make ends meet.
OnWord's other activities and ministries have included reaching out to local families who are hurting or in need. Hope Reins in Texas is one branch of our ministry outreaches. Hope Reins a therapeutic horseback riding center located in Bulverde, TX that specializes in a frontier western experience offering rehabilitation to individuals with special needs and Wounded Warriors, as well as their families. It is a unique facility providing care that focuses on the restoration and rehabilitation of the entire family through a variety of interactive activities, in hopes of strengthening families in need.
OnWord is also involved with Joni & Friends, a Joni Eareckson Tada ministry. We help with Family Retreats- summer camps for families of children with disabilities- as well as the Wounded Warrior Getaway in San Antonio. In addition, we visit nursing homes, medical rehabilitation facilities, etc. to share the hope that is found in Christ through our music.