Community Spotlight
Angels Among Us Ministries
Angels Among Us Ministries is a ministry for young women who are unable to afford formal dresses for their prom or ROTC cadet balls. They have a “dress shop” for the girls to set up an appointment to come in and shop for dresses, shoes, make-up, purses and jewelry. Their, the girls pick an out fit for their special occasion and the entire ensemble is theirs to keep and is absolutely FREE.
After listening to what God was telling her, and with the help of her husband Donnie, Tina Watson started the Angels Among Us Ministry in 2001. Tina received the first three dresses from the local community where Tina’s parents lived. They brought the dresses home and that’s how they began, with one small step of faith.
Initially, the dresses were stored in a closet in their home. In the spring, Donnie would pull the dresses and out of the closet and sort them on racks in their living room. Because the response had been so great, it wasn’t long before they realized they needed more storage space for the dresses. They wanted to build a shop, but in order to do so they would have had to borrow the money. Tina and Donnie didn’t feel God leading them to do that, and they didn’t want to do anything unless God was in it so, they prayed.
In July of 2006, they received a phone call from Dallas First United Methodist Church and the River of Life team; they wanted to help. Six young ladies and their leaders came and within a week, Angels Among Us Ministries had a 12’ x 14’ building. Tina and Donnie finished the inside themselves and by October, they hung the first dress in the shop. It was actually one of the originals they received in 2001.
Tragically, in December 2006, Donnie passed away in an auto accident. It was devastating to Tina, but she is so thankful Donnie was there to see Angels Among Us Ministries finished and growing. After his death, there was no question in Tina’s mind about stopping the ministry. She clung to the verse Matthew 10:26, “WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE” and she kept the ministry going in obedience to God, for the young ladies who need gowns, and of course, for Donnie because she did not want his work to be in vain.
Angels Among Us Ministries celebrates their 10th anniversary this year. To date they have about 100 dresses, and have added on another 14’ x 16’ building. Tina feels truly blessed by God’s hand and from the help she’s received from the community. One very special lady, whose been with the ministry since day one is Ms. Vickie at Dixie Dry Cleaners in Dallas. The girls get a card when they pick their gowns, then take the gown to Ms. Vickie, where she dry cleans the dresses for free.
Tina says “The Lord is good”. Her biggest blessings have been the smiles on the young ladies faces when they leave her shop; and the pictures and thank you cards she has received over the years. Those special treasures she says, “are priceless”.
If you would like to donate gently used prom or formal gowns, shoes, purses, jewelry, or unopened makeup, or if you have a need for a gown, please call Tina Watson at 770-445-8994 and make your appointment today.