God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Our story begins with two people as different as can be…
except for their whole-hearted desire to follow God and help people.
Scott Simons
Scott, a native Michigander, had given up his construction business to attend Rhema Bible Training College in Oklahoma in 2004. He had no idea what God had in store for him after Bible School, just a knowing that he needed to be obedient no matter how crazy it seemed.
Dara Simons
Dara, a Jersey girl, was majoring in American Studies and Anthropology (a.k.a. “I have no clue what I’m doing in life”) at a small private college in New York State. She knew ministry was in her future, but she just didn’t know how God could use a quiet girl with administrative skills to serve Him.
And then Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August of 2005
Suddenly these 2 strangers found themselves in Gulfport, Mississippi, serving God and a hurting community. (And if you think you can’t have counter-cultural experiences inside the United States, try being a northerner living in the deep South!)
Two things were birthed out of the 3 years they spent there
Their eventual marriage AND Right Side Up Ministries
They saw what happens when a disaster area is flooded with volunteers and supplies in the aftermath of a storm. How the community feels the love and support of complete strangers from around the country.
And then how eventually all of those volunteers and supplies dry up. How the news cycle moves on to the next big story. Instead of feeling loved and supported, the affected community feels abandoned and hurt.
But the local church has the ability to stand up and really show the love of Christ.
The church needs to demonstrate to a hurting community that God will never leave them or forsake them. He is always with them, and the local church will be too!
This is the heart of Right Side Up Ministries.
Since being founded in 2008, thousands of volunteers have served families affected by disasters through the local church.
Youth to senior citizens have used the skills, talents, and abilities that God has given them to show the love of Christ and give hope to hurting people.
Everything that we do is to support and build up the local church so it can respond to disasters in its own community.
We're living proof that you don't need to be extraordinary to be used by God.
Our Team
Scott Simons
Executive Director
Dara Simons
Co-Director
Madeline Grace
Ministry Kid #1
Emily Rose
Ministry Kid #2