Initial Visit to India
April 10, 1983
The beginning of GOW (or at least the concept) can really be traced all the way back to 1983 when Pastor Lynn Everswick, a current GOW board member, visited India while serving with the mission organization TEAM. “It broke my heart as I felt the hopelessness of so many lives and especially the children and outcasts.” – Lynn
Westover Team to India
April 10, 2006
Westover Church built a 10-year global vision that originally focused on the least-reached peoples of China. As that plan developed it grew to include the Muslim and Hindu/Tibetan-Buddhist worlds, which included India. In 2006 the church sent a team to India. It was on that trip where Pastor Lynn Everswick met with Leslie Hamby, a Westover-supported missionary, and was introduced to our regional sponsor. He then shared his vision to reach the children of the train stations, which is home for many of them. “Our regional sponsor took me early one morning to meet these kids, and after seeing where they lived and how they survived selling refilled water bottles back to the passengers, my heart said ‘Lord, if you can use Westover to help make a difference for a few of these kids, then show me how we can best make this happen’.” – Pastor Lynn
Westover Launches BAM
November 1, 2008
As part of their global mission outreach, Westover Church began BAM (Business As Missions). BAM was created to give businessmen and women the opportunity to offer their skills and knowledge to the regional sponsors with whom Westover worked. A team was formed and they got to work on the first major project, a microbusiness laundromat. The original team was Frank Arkfeld, Ryan Clodfelter, Zack Guthrie, Chris Johnson, Mike Matzinger, Jason Rickard, Valerie Stone, Clark Morgan, and Lisa Powers. They brought skills in finances, web design, management, accounting, IT, and graphic design. Check out the video below to learn more about the history and purpose of BAM.
Read moreZack’s First Trip to India
April 17, 2012
In April of 2012 Lynn, Zack, and Zack’s oldest daughter Amanda Joi traveled over 8,000 miles and touched down in India. Zack didn’t know it yet, but by the end of this trip, God would lay on his heart the desire to begin a nonprofit that served the least of these. This would be Zack’s first (of many) trips to India. The main purpose of this trip was to meet the regional sponsor and begin the process of starting the business discussed through BAM – a laundromat. They toured the building where the laundromat would be built and surveyed locals to gather information on the market. The laundromat would be a very new concept for most. While there, their eyes were opened to the spiritual darkness in the area. Idols could be seen everywhere, cows/bulls wandered freely as they are considered sacred, and people bathed in one of the dirtiest bodies of water in the world. They spent time at the care center where the sponsor was working underprivileged kids. This care center and these kids would drive most of GOW does in the future.
Read moreSuccessful Business Launch
April 10, 2013
After years of planning and work, the laundromat was started and within 6 months reached profitability. Since the business started from dirt (literally) this was an incredible accomplishment. The business immediately provided additional income that could be used for the children, as well as a job location for future children as they grow up. This was also a way for our regional sponsor to provide an education for the people with whom he worked. Before and after photos shown below.
Read more2013 Visit to India
October 29, 2013
A little over a year since his first visit, Zack returned to India. This time with his second oldest daughter, Lauraleigh, and David Pinion. Much like the previous trip, their time was split between working on the laundromat and spending time with the students and teachers at the Care Center. “BAM – business as missions and working with the Laundromat is why we came, but business is only a means to our primary purpose – the care center. At the Care Center we had the opportunity to sing, play cricket with the boys, watch Lauraleigh climb trees and swing on the swing set with the girls, watch our sponsor teach, and sew (OK, only Zack sewed). We simply had fun with the Care Center leaders/teachers and the beautiful children.” – Zack They attended Sunday morning service, where Lauraleigh lead worship and David preached, and even squeezed in a trip to the Taj Mahal.
Read moreGOW is Launched
August 25, 2014
In May of 2014, a team began the planning and preparation of starting a nonprofit. The result was Guthrie Orphans & Widows (GOW). GOW was formed outside of Westover Church to continue the work started by the BAM team in India by partnering with the regional sponsors in their work with care centers that assisted orphans and widows. The team began meeting monthly and on August 25th of 2014, the Articles of Incorporation were filed with the NC Secretary of State Corporation.
Read moreGOW Receives 501(c)3 Status
February 19, 2015
Official GOW Database is Programmed
August 10, 2015After many months of brainstorming and “creating” programs on paper, the GOW database was officially programmed. The main purpose of this database is to keep track of grant requests and donations. We use this database to store contact information, maintain a check register, and run reports. We input grant requests and can track the progress of their completion through phases, from submission all the way through fund distribution. Eventually, this database was linked to our website and as we added donations and updated grants, those changes showed up on our website for donors and potential donors to see.
2015 Trip to India
September 18, 2015
Two members of the GOW team, along with their daughters, went to visit three of our regional sponsors in 2015. They shared meals with our sponsors, visited their care centers, and worshipped with them on Sunday. They meet the children who attend the centers and the dedicated teachers who work with them. Additionally, they spent time assisting the Sewing Ladies (girls who are learning to sew in order to make money) by selecting fabric and teaching them new patterns. They returned from that trip having learned so much about each sponsor’s ministry and with great ideas on how we could continue to support them.
Read moreInaugural GOW End of Year Banquet
December 3, 2015
GOW has officially launched, it received 501(c)3 status, the database has been programmed, and GOW staff have visited India. What’s left to do? The first-ever GOW end-of-year dinner! Held on Thursday, December 3rd at Westover Church, GOW staff, board members, and supporters gathered to learn about the ministry, receive an update from GOW sponsors, and hear a keynote address from author Rob Mitchell. This was the first of what we hope will be many GOW end-of-year dinners to come!
Read more2015 Total Revenue Collected – $31,009
December 31, 20152016 Annual Banquet
November 17, 2016
Praise the Lord for a great location and good turnout! The second annual GOW end-of-year dinner was held in November of 2016. Again, GOW staff, board members, and supporters gathered together and we were blessed to be joined by one of our GOW sponsors who were visiting the states at that time and gave the keynote presentation. All the dinner attendees also received prayer cards that featured a specific child they could pray for.
Read more2016 Total Revenue Collected – $34,842
December 31, 2016New GOW Website Launched
May 15, 2017After months and months of development, the new GOW website has officially been launched. The team has come up with a new logo, improved website navigation, and most importantly a more professional way to present grant needs and tell this incredible story.
2017 Annual Banquet
November 16, 2017
Our 2017 Christmas Dinner held on Thursday, November 16th, was a success! Our key speaker, Lorette, shared the journey of where God has brought her and her husband. She also told the touching story of Zubeda, a little girl that grew up in the slums but through the help of GOW, now lives in a better home with her brothers and mother. It was a beautiful evening praise God for the way He has worked through this organization in India. We are grateful for Westover Church, those that volunteered their time, and those that attended the dinner. We look forward to future opportunities to share our ministry.
Read more2017 Total Revenue Collected – $24,898
December 31, 20172018 Annual Banquet
November 15, 2018What a blessing to have the GOW end-of-year dinner for the 4th year in a row! This year the dinner was moved to the banquet hall at a local hotel. Attendees had the opportunity to donate to many grants and even purchase a gow t-shirt. Prayer cards for specific children were passed out in the form of bookmarks. GOW board member Robert Pittard was the keynote speaker and we received an update from one of our sponsor’s work in North India.
Read more2018 Total Revenue Collected – $32,876
December 31, 2018Frank Arkfeld Donation
December 31, 2018
“I enjoy learning more about my Savior so that I can be a more effective witness to the wonders of Jesus.” – Frank In 2018 Frank, one of the original BAM team members and a supporter of GOW, passed away after a battle with cancer. As part of his will, he left a $10,000 donation for one of our regional sponsors. With permission from his wife, this money was put into a land grant. The purpose of this grant was to provide our sponsor with the funding necessary to purchase his own piece of property.
2019 Annual Banquet
November 19, 2019
On Tuesday, November 19th over 50 people gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn in Greensboro to attend the 5th annual GOW End of Year Dinner. It was a wonderful evening of fellowship, presentations, and prayer. We received update videos from all four of our regional sponsors and were able to share those with everyone gathered. Additionally, nearly $3,000 was raised that night to go towards completing our remaining 2019 grants.
2019 Total Revenue Collected – $20,567
December 31, 2019GOW Marketing Manager added to team beginning of this year. Cash on hand at end of the year – $28,000
2020 Trip to India
February 23, 2020
Zack Guthrie (President of GOW) and Robert Pittard (GOW Board Member) recently traveled to India to visit a few of our regional sponsors. “The whole trip was a highlight. Prayer and devotional time with Zack and the sponsor, getting big hugs from kids we’ve helped, visiting the hospital and our sponsor there, and the joy of knowing someone who accepted Christ and is doing well.” – Robert “Robert and I were able to meet with 5 children from the sponsor’s care center that he’s been working with for over a decade. How they have progressed is a testament to the Holy Spirit and the work being done. Upon departing India, Robert and I wrote individual cards to all of the children and care workers. We took the time to share numerous Scripture verses that are important to us. We are trusting God to continue this work in their lives.” – Zack
Read more2020 COVID Hospital Relief Fund
July 10, 2020Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we sent a total of $40,310 to two hospitals in South Asia! Earlier this year our sponsors shared with us the struggles they were facing because of COVID, including lack of equipment, rising operating expenses, and loss of revenue due to travel restrictions. While these are a little different than the typical GOW grants, we felt the impact of the virus was so great on our sponsors and their community that it was important to send aid. These funds were used to purchase PPE, patient monitors, hand sanitizer, and food for the needy. Additionally, funds were applied to the creation and improvement of outdoor shelters for patients waiting to enter the hospital.
2020 Annual (Virtual) Banquet
December 11, 2020
This year has been unusual, to say the least. We can’t think of one person this pandemic hasn’t affected, and that includes our partners overseas. Like many, we are learning how to operate in this new norm and adapting as we go. While we know a large, in-person GOW dinner was not feasible this year, we wanted to ensure we could bring you open grants and updates from the sponsors. The need is present and real which is why we decided to host a virtual fundraising dinner! GOW donors joined for a virtual presentation and then throughout the weekend they watched update videos from our sponsors and made donations to open grants. We also raised $1,000 from ticket sales for our Nutrition Grant, which provides kids with nutritious meals.
Read more2021 Visit to Pakistan
January 19, 2021
In January of 2021, GOW president, Zack Guthrie, had the opportunity to travel to Pakistan and spend time with one of our sponsors at his hospital. While there he spent time on the 15-acre campus amongst 200 staff members. He got to experience firsthand the daily runnings of the hospital and provide management consulting services. One particular instance really stood out. After a stone wall collapsed and crushed this little boy’s knee, his father took him to a local doctor who stuck a too-long rod in the boy’s leg and took all the father’s money. By the time this boy reached the hospital, it was too late to save his leg, but our sponsor saved his life. GOW paid for the boy’s surgery and will help provide a prosthetic if the opportunity presents itself. “Pray for the staff of the hospital. They face challenging circumstances every day caring for the poor and needy. My trip to the hospital renewed my faith in God’s protection and sovereignty. He planted the hospital and continues to provide year after year. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry.” – Zack
Read moreInaugural Monthly Prayer Meeting
May 5, 2021
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 Put in a search for the word ‘Pray’ in Bible Gateway and you’ll get back over 300 results worth of Bible verses. It’s almost like God’s trying to tell us something about the importance of prayer. Bringing requests to God not only for us but for others and having others bring requests on our behalf is powerful. We at GOW recognize the significant role prayer plays in our ministry and decided to start meeting on a regular basis to not only pray for our sponsors overseas but with them as well. Our inaugural prayer meeting was held at 6:30 am on Wednesday, May 5th, and GOW president Zack Guthrie was joined by our board members (Robert, Bob, Lynn, and John) as well as our sponsors in Pakistan! Zack and the board will continue to meet monthly and spend time in prayer.
2022 Annual Banquet
December 1, 2022
GOW 8th annual end of year dinner was held on Thursday, November 3rd at Summerfield Farms. In attendance, were GOW staff, board members, and supporters. Everyone gathered to learn about the orphan ministry in India, receive updated grant information from GOW sponsors who blessed us with an eye-opening presentation. Our attendees were able to hear first-hand stories from Rahul on God’s provision. We are grateful for those who attended the dinner and volunteered their time. We look forward to share more of our ministry in the near future.
Read more2022 Total Revenue Collected – $33,400
January 3, 20232022 Trip to India
March 3, 2023
In November 2022, GOW president, Zack Guthrie, traveled to India to visit our sponsors. While there, he had the opportunity to learn more about the needs of community and explore. Look out for more about his trip coming soon.
2022 Trip to Pakistan
March 3, 2023
In December 2022, our GOW president, Zack Guthrie, had the opportunity to travel to Pakistan to visit our sponsors. Look out for more about his trip coming soon.