ABOUT US

Founded in 2018, Eleos Ministries is a strong team of Christian people who are dedicated to their local communities, and the global community made by all nations. Eleos means mercy, and the ministry is full of people living in the way of mercy. We adhere to traditional Christian beliefs and believe that Jesus came to bring mercy to the world. As followers of Jesus, we want to be His hands and feet to the world, relieving suffering and sharing truth where ever possible.

​Eleos Ministries began as a grassroots effort to alleviate poverty and suffering by meeting needs in our own backyards, and has greatly expanded to now include 3 countries. God says that every person is unique, and therefore we strive to tailor assistance to meet people's personal needs in light of their current circumstances, and ultimately point them to Christ

OUR MISSION

Everyone deserves to thrive. Many factors work together to build thriving people and communities, including education, access to food and clean water, learning trades, and healthy relationships with family and peers. We believe these goals are best pursued within a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ.

OUR STAFF

 Justin and Elizabeth Richmond founded Eleos Ministries in 2018 under the name "Where We Begin." They are passionate about caring for at-risk teenagers and young adults in the community and abroad, and about seeing passions and gifts in others. They live with their two daughters and many animals in mid-Missouri. Justin works at Veterans United in Missouri as a mortgage processor, and so it makes sense that he also serves as the CFO for Eleos. In his spare time, he spends time with his kids, and completes many projects around the old fixer-upper they bought in 2016. Justin's dream is a multi-week staycation where he never has to leave the house. When Elizabeth isn't caring for her children, setting up estate sales in the community, or working with foster animals through the local shelter, she works for Eleos, primarily with program development and execution. She also has primary contact with the older teens and young adults the ministry serves, and greatly enjoys connecting with them. In her free time, Elizabeth loves reading fiction, traveling, and trying new recipes. Her dream is traveling the continent in an old RV with her family.
Teresa Webber serves as the Secretary for Eleos Ministries. She is passionate about foster care and adoption, and enjoys educating the public on these issues. She works full-time as an Educational Specialist with the Missouri Migrant Education Program, and especially enjoys working with immigrant and refugee families and their children. Teresa lives in mid-Missouri with her husband Zach, their daughter Sunny, and their two dogs, Tuco and Scruffy.
Carrie Banks serves as Missions Director for Eleos. She and her husband Markel live in Dallas-Fort Worth with their five boys, numerous animals, and usually a few bonus kids, too. Carrie's passion for orphans started when, at age 18, she spent her last dollar on a bus ride to Mexico and spent a year caring for orphanage kids. Since then, she has continued to gain experience in the mission field. 
Alyssa Wesselman is our resident goat expert! She primarily works with the agricultural program through Eleos, including giving seminars to the Ugandan people getting their first goats! She participated in the World Race in 2017 and has visited Uganda multiple times, as well as many other mission trips around the world. Everywhere she goes, Alyssa is surrounded by young girls who want to learn from her. You can follow her sewing work here.