Our Story

 

            It Is Well Ministries began in 2016 with the desire to make a difference in the lives of exploited children around the world. Our passion to fight the evil of sexual exploitation began through the work and journey of our founder, Annah Young. While traveling and working overseas as an ESL teacher and desiring to give back to the community, she began working with an orphanage in South Korea. During her time there, she realized how difficult it was to leave the children, and her heart grew to want to mother orphans. In the next few years, Annah continued to travel and began working in more orphanages across the globe.  When she arrived home to the states she began researching more about orphans and how to help, and this is when she learned about the horrors of the human and sex trafficking industry.

            “I remember reading books of these survivor’s stories, my eyes flooded with tears, and throwing my book across the room, feeling overwhelmed, not sure how to help.”

As the weeks progressed, Annah felt the Lord impressing upon her heart to start a nonprofit which would give her the foundational structure to find supporters and really make a difference! With the support of her sisters, they began developing programs for prevention, and partnering with other NGOs to provide rescue and aftercare.

Our Vision

·      To see victims of sexual exploitation be placed in safehomes where they are loved, accepted and find healing

·      To give these victims purpose by teaching them skills of other ways to provide for their families

·      To establish safe houses that can always serve as a  “Forever Family” for these victims

·      To offer fine arts as healing therapy in our safe homes

·      To plan for safe homes in other countries in the future

The Truth

Every minute, over 3 million children worldwide are victimized by sex trafficking. This crime is essentially the exchange of any sex act with a child for anything of value, and can occur wherever people are present.  Traffickers can look like anyone and do not fit any certain stereotype. Many times sexually trafficked children continue to go to school and participate in extracurricular activities, without anyone realizing what is actually happening to them. That is why training to recognize and respond to these situations is so important.  When these children are rescued from the trafficking environment, trauma-informed spaces of healing (safe houses) must be provided.  This will create pathways for more victims to escape sexual exploitation.  Prevention includes affirmation of value to these young people so that they will not fall prey to these trafficker’s tactics again. This is why It is Well Ministries exists: to stop this terrible crime from happening to children, to provide healing for those affected by sex trafficking, to train people to recognize the signs of sexual exploitation, and to teach preventative methods to protect children from this horrible crime. We need your help to accomplish this!

Our Fathers’ heart is to give these survivors hope, restoration, redemption, healing and identity of worth. I have full confidence that this team is fully committed to the calling and mission before us and nothing will stop us from doing God’s will, to help bring healing into these lives!

AnnahYoung

Founder/President/Executive Director/Board Member

Graduate from MTSU, Major -Physical Education

Certified teacher

Level 1 Responder in First Aid Arts

 The good Lord has called me to protect, love and care for children and that is where my hearts direction is!

In my free time I love spending time with my husband Jake and my cat Zoomie

I also love singing, playing sports, skiing, snowboarding, riding on my roller skates, camping and hiking

I have made it very important in my life to go through counseling and mentoring to heal from my past hurts. I am only who I am because of Gods work in my life, this is what I want to share to hopefully help others.

Sarah Benko

Vice President/Director of Operations and Development for IIWM/Board Member

Supports and Assists the President of IIWM.

Founding Board Member (2016)

Graduate from MTSU, Major- Political Science.

Grew up in a large Christian family that ministered to Homeless People and Incarcerated Boys.

Passionate about helping all in need especially young girls/women who are taken advantage of sexually and mentally.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, being outside, and worshipping the Lord in song.

Kay Jordan, Editor in Chief of Social Media, Board Member

Graduate of APSU, Major-Music Education K-12

Have been ministering the Gospel in song and Word for over 50 years

Passionate about the fight against child sex trafficking

Love spending time with my family as Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Daughter, and Friend

Paul Updyke, Treasurer and Board Member

Graduate of Bob Jones University with a Major in Accounting

Served on numerous boards; churches, public and private schools, pregnancy resource centers and zoning

His interests are in raising awareness of trafficking and supporting those victims who have been exploited

He enjoys watching sports, playing his guitar, hanging out at his cabin and giving his time to those in need.