About Us
Who We Are
Obed’s House Ministries is located in General Santos City, Philippines, and was founded in 2013. Obed’s House is a 24/7 Residential Care Facility accepting children ages 5-12 that are orphaned, coming off of the street, or from neglected homes. Obed’s House offers each resident the opportunity to receive an education free of charge.
How We Began
Obed’s House Ministries was founded in 2013 but the inspiration came about in 2011 after a 6 week missions trip where 4 street boys absolutely stole our founder's heart. The boys came to the mission begging for food, tattered clothing, no shoes, and hungry, coming straight from the streets of General Santos City, Philippines. After each of the boys consumed 3 plates of rice and got new flip flops, it was time for them to depart. Our founder, Meredith (Wood) Docena, couldn’t fathom the idea of just letting them go back into the street, and after posting on her blog about the boys, God blessed her with $4,000 in financial giving in just 6 days. That was the first instance when God began embedding within her heart the passion to open a home for neglected children.
Our Desire
Obed’s House will act as a new beginning for the neglected, street, and abandoned children of General Santos City.
It is our desire to see the neglected, street, and abandoned children of General Santos City love Jesus and have a passionate desire to serve Him.
It is our desire to see the neglected, street, and abandoned children of General Santos City live in an environment where they feel safe, loved, cared for, and understand their worth.
It is our desire to see the neglected, street, and abandoned children of General Santos City have the opportunity to obtain a Christian education free of charge. This will result in them becoming mature, strong, people of God who will pour back into their communities.
Our focus is to teach and raise the neglected, street and abandoned children of General Santos City to truly love and serve our Savior Jesus Christ. Then, they can go out into the community and the world to do the same. We stand by and desire to see this verse come true in the lives of all children who enter the door of Obed’s House (Proverbs 22:6.)
Our Vision
Our vision is for our children to be leaders for Christ-centered transformation in their community.
Our Mission
Our mission is to fulfill the great commission by providing a loving family atmosphere for neglected children.
Overview
Founded in 2013, Obed’s House is a 501C-3, located in General Santos City, Philippines. We are a 24/7 residential care facility accepting neglected children ages 5-12, and are currently housing 13 children.
Our Board
Meredith Docena
Founder/Executive Director
Bayli McClary
Board Member / Communication Task Force
Licensed Social Worker with former missions experience.
“Obed’s not only deeply cares for and helps meet the physical needs of children in the Philippines, but also equips and empowers them for a brighter future. It has been an honor to be a part of this board and see firsthand the amount of prayer and dedication that fuels every decision in this ministry. I am passionate about continuing to serve on this board because I believe the vision and mission of Obed’s is directly aligned with God’s heart for his children, and I am honored to play a small role in that.”
Bethany Willeford
Secretary
For the last 15 years, I have worked at One10, as a Senior Event Manager. In this role, I am responsible for planning and executing meetings and incentives for a variety of clients across the Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Electronics, and Insurance industries.
"I am passionate about missions, as we have been given a great commission from Jesus Christ in Matthew 28: “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you….”
In James 1:27 we are also instructed to “care for orphans and widows in their distress…” Obed’s Ministries is living out these instructions in the Philippines. They are showing the street children and orphans, Christ’s love. Obed’s is building relationships with the children in their care as well as with the community through street feedings. This opens doors to teach these children (and some of the parents) about Christ."
"Obed’s is raising Christ-followers who may have not heard about Christ. They are loving children who have no one else to love them. This empowers the children to continue the Great Commission by equipping them with the knowledge and love to tell others about Christ."
"We are to “declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the people!” … “to every nation, tribe, language, and people.” – Obed’s is fulfilling this mission! Christ is enriching lives, one child and donor at a time, in ways we can only begin to imagine, through Obed’s."
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Lorie Kuyoth
Board Chair
Retired - Nationwide Ethics Director
"I joined the Obed’s Board in 2015 and it is such a privilege to see God work in each child’s life as they learn to love Him and serve their community."
Matt Shuman
Treasurer
BSBA from OSU, Major in Accounting
"I feel we are told by God to look after orphans and widows in their time of need and I feel that by helping and supporting this mission I am fulfilling a small part of that call of God."
Melanie Estepp
Board Member / Engaging Champions Task Force
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Morehead State University
Adjunct clinical/lab Instructor in the Nursing Dept. at Cedarville University.
BSBA from OSU, Major in Accounting
I am involved with Obed’s because it provides food, shelter, safety, and love through a Christian home. Having their basic needs met allows the children the capability to understand their need for Christ and to have spiritual healing through Him.