Peggy Vawter, Rocky Mountain District Women's Ministries Leader/ Founder, House of Promise

by Beth Grant

In October 2003, at the close of the Rocky Mountain District annual women's event, District Women's Ministries director Peggy Vawter mentioned how desperately a home was needed for women who were in life-controlling circumstances. Immediately following the close of the service, women began to respond positively-both verbally and financially.

At that point, all Peggy had was a burden for women and children and a strong belief that it was the heart of the Father to redeem their lives. Without His intervention, the women would be facing a future of addiction, abuse, and poverty, with their babies following in their footsteps. Neither Peggy nor her district women's leadership had the funds, a plan, or a facility.

Within weeks, Peggy met with the director of Teen Challenge for the Rocky Mountain District. Teen Challenge was willing to partner and believe God for His provision and leading. She presented the project to the district and immediately people began to give. By April 2004, Vicki Proffit was hired as director and enough funds had been given to start a renovation process on a purchased property. Over a one-year period of time, 400 volunteers came and over $500,000 of money, work hours, and supplies were given. Along with the Assemblies of God churches in the Rocky Mountain District, sixteen different denominations from the surrounding area are strong supporters because Peggy has been a catalyst for inspiring people of faith with her vision and God's heart for wounded women and their children.

The House of Promise opened in July 2005, and since that time over 40 mothers and 50 children have received life-changing ministry. The women have received training that will equip them to get a job, manage a household, provide for their families, and be godly mothers to their children. Peggy and her leadership team were determined from the beginning that they would give God their best so that House of Promise would bring glory to God. It is a beautiful home that sits on eight acres, an ideal place of healing and safety for mothers and their young children. This summer, construction on a new apartment complex will begin that will house eleven moms who are in phase II re-entry level of the program.

House of Promise stands as a witness of God's miraculous provision and His redeeming power. But it also represents the vision and tenacity of Peggy who was obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit and led others to take unusual steps of faith with her. 

Reprinted with permission of http://womeninministry.ag.org

Dr. Beth Grant serves as chairperson for the national Assemblies of God Women in Ministry Task Force. She and her husband David have served as Assemblies of God missionaries to Southern Asia for 28 years.