Good Work West Texas

The Heart Behind Advance Church in the Permian Basin

In this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Dustin Pearce and Jacobe Kendrick of Advance Church — a growing movement rooted in deep relationships, everyday discipleship, and serving people where real life happens.Dustin and Jacobe share their stories of coming back to the Permian Basin, why Midland has become home, and how their vision for Advance Church was built on a simple but powerful idea: invest in people, not just programs.From house churches to community investment, from walking with people through messy parts of life to equipping everyday believers to live out their faith — this conversation is a refreshing and inspiring look at what it means to serve, lead, and love others in West Texas.Whether you're part of a church, volunteering in the community, or looking for a deeper purpose where you already are, this episode will challenge and encourage you.Chapters00:00 – Cold Open00:30 – Welcome to Good Work West Texas01:10 – Meet Dustin Pearce & Jacobe Kendrick04:00 – Why They Love Midland06:45 – The Power of Community & Relationships10:30 – How Dustin & Jacobe First Met13:00 – The Birth of Advance Church18:40 – What “Advance” Actually Means23:15 – Investing in People vs. Inviting People27:00 – Equipping Everyday People for Ministry30:50 – Serving in Practical, Everyday Ways35:00 – Navigating Messy Real-Life Discipleship41:20 – A Story of Transformation45:30 – The Cost & Beauty of Long-Term Relationships48:00 – Their Dream for the Permian Basin52:00 – Quote Card Reflections54:30 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect55:45 – Episode Wrap

Providing Hope and Healthcare: Inside Community Children’s Clinic

In this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Executive Director Renee Meiner and Medical Director Dr. Casey Mraz, MD of Community Children’s Clinic—a nonprofit serving local families who fall between the gaps of traditional healthcare.Renee shares the clinic’s inspiring origin story dating back to 1984, when a small group of community members came together to ensure children could receive medical care regardless of insurance or income. Dr. Mraz discusses her personal journey from residency at the clinic to becoming its medical director and the impact of their $20 all-inclusive visits for Midland County families.Together, they highlight how the clinic bridges access to healthcare, provides on-site pharmacy services, and collaborates with partners like Midland Memorial Hospital and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. They also share volunteer opportunities, community partnerships, and their annual “Dink & Dine” Pickleball Tournament, which raises funds to keep kids healthy and cared for in our community.It’s a heartfelt look at how compassion, collaboration, and faith continue to make a difference for thousands of children across Midland.Chapters00:00 – Intro01:00 – History of the Community Children’s Clinic02:00 – Serving uninsured and low-income families04:00 – Inside the daily operations of the clinic07:45 – Who qualifies for care10:50 – Stories of families served12:40 – The cost of care and donor support16:25 – Renee’s journey to nonprofit leadership19:40 – How volunteers and board members help21:45 – “Dink & Dine” fundraiser and community fun23:35 – Dr. Mraz’s background and calling to serve26:10 – Awareness and collaboration goals31:10 – Legacy stories of families helped through generations35:30 – The importance of Every Neighbor’s partnership38:25 – Closing reflections and final thoughts

Senior Life Midland — Serving 5 Million Meals and Counting

n this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Kathleen Kirwan-Haynie, Executive Director of Senior Life Midland, and Saul Herrera, who has served the organization for over 30 years.They share heartwarming stories of connection, compassion, and community through programs like Meals on Wheels, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the Foster Grandparent initiative. From delivering over five million meals to providing purpose for volunteers of all ages, Senior Life Midland is making a difference every day across the Permian Basin.Discover how a single knock on the door can bring hope, how volunteers become family, and how every act of service—big or small—creates a stronger, more caring community.Learn more: https://seniorlifemidland.orgChapters00:00 – Intro: Meals, Volunteers, and Community Impact02:00 – Saul’s 32-Year Journey with Senior Life07:30 – Kathleen’s Calling to Serve Seniors10:00 – How Meals on Wheels Changed Her Family’s Life14:00 – Serving Families, Not Just Seniors17:00 – The Hidden Need in Midland19:00 – Reaching Six Million Meals and Counting21:30 – Everyone Has Purpose and Value23:00 – Inspiration and Leadership Through Service27:30 – Programs You Might Not Know About30:00 – Generational Learning Through Foster Grandparents32:00 – Volunteers from Ages 7 to 9937:00 – How $10 Can Feed and Encourage a Neighbor39:00 – Safety Checks and Saving Lives42:00 – Cookie Fridays and Generational Legacy44:30 – Dreams for Senior Life’s Future47:00 – Every Person Has Ability and Value49:30 – Closing Reflections and Gratitude

Giving a Voice to the Visually Impaired | Recording Library of West Texas

In this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Rachel Stone, Executive Director of the Recording Library of West Texas, and Anthony Rodriguez, board member and HR leader, to explore how this remarkable organization brings words to life for people who can’t see them.Since 1963, the Recording Library of West Texas has served individuals across the region — from Midland and Odessa to Tennessee — providing free audio recordings of newspapers, books, ads, and more for the blind, visually impaired, and anyone with reading barriers such as dyslexia or Parkinson’s.Rachel shares her 16-year journey from volunteer reader to Executive Director and how the power of a human voice creates connection and comfort for those who often feel isolated. Anthony discusses the deeper meaning of accessibility, his passion for service, and the importance of leadership and community in the nonprofit world.Together, they reflect on the transformative act of volunteering, the organization’s dream of one day owning their own building, and the vital role of donors and volunteers who make this mission possible.👉 Learn more about the Recording Library of West Texas or get involved at https://recordinglibrary.org👉 Discover volunteer opportunities across the region at https://everyNeighbor.com#GoodWorkWestTexas #EveryNeighbor #RecordingLibraryofWestTexas #MidlandTexas #VolunteerMidland #Accessibility #CommunityImpact #Nonprofits #BlindCommunity #WestTexasStoriesChapters00:00 – Welcome and introduction02:00 – Rachel’s Midland roots and how she discovered the Recording Library06:50 – The mission: reading for those who can’t11:00 – Anthony’s story and connection to the nonprofit world15:45 – How remote reading began during COVID19:45 – The human touch behind every recording25:00 – How clients receive their recordings29:30 – Empathy through sound: stepping into the listener’s world32:00 – People who inspire us to serve38:50 – Passing down a legacy of giving46:45 – The dream: a building of their own and a stronger volunteer team50:30 – The importance of donors and volunteers52:00 – Closing reflections and gratitude

Feeding Midland with Love | Inside Breaking Bread Kitchen

In this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Shirley Almanza, Executive Director of Breaking Bread Kitchen, to discuss how this Midland-based organization is changing lives—one meal at a time.What began in 1986 with a single man feeding people from the back of his pickup has become a thriving community where compassion and dignity meet daily needs. Shirley shares heartfelt stories about the guests they serve, the volunteers who make it all possible, and the partnerships that keep Breaking Bread connected to over 30 agencies through the Midland Homeless Coalition.From understanding the realities of homelessness to finding joy in serving others, this conversation will inspire you to see people not by their circumstances but by their value and potential.Chapters00:00 – Intro00:54 – Meet Shirley Almanza and Breaking Bread Kitchen02:00 – The History of Breaking Bread03:00 – Serving Midland’s Homeless and Hungry05:00 – The Power of Collaboration and Faith-Based Service09:00 – Who Breaking Bread Serves12:00 – Misconceptions About Homelessness15:00 – The Heart Behind Nutrition First18:00 – A Day in the Life at Breaking Bread Kitchen22:00 – The Power of Dignity: Showers, Meals, and Hope25:00 – How Volunteers and Donations Make It All Possible27:00 – Volunteer Opportunities Through Every Neighbor31:00 – Understanding the Homeless Coalition38:00 – Collaboration Across Midland’s Nonprofits40:00 – From Compassion to Care: Helping Without Judgment45:00 – Shirley’s Faith and Motivation46:00 – Dreams for the Future of Breaking Bread48:00 – How the Community Can Support50:00 – Reflecting on Compassion: “Leave the Road, Take the Trails”55:00 – Closing Thoughts and Call to Action