For Jim Curl, ministry didn't begin in a church. It started after his own life had fallen apart.
Curl, co-founder and executive director of Three Town Hope Ministries, says he knows what it feels like to lose everything. About six years ago, he found himself battling a severe addiction that cost him relationships, led to legal trouble and eventually left him living at Victory Mission, Springfield's largest men's homeless shelter.
"I had burned every bridge," Curl said.
While staying there, someone invited him to a local ministry. He remembers being served a meal and hearing a message that changed his life.
"They told me I didn't have to be defined by my failures," he said.
That night, Curl surrendered his life to Christ. Over time, he watched his life slowly come back together. His family was restored, relationships were rebuilt and he discovered a new purpose.
"My wife and I realized God really does what He promises," Curl said. "We experienced redemption, forgiveness and hope."
Those experiences eventually led the couple to start Three Town Hope Ministries.
At first, they simply looked for ways to serve. Curl began leading worship at recovery programs and churches while his wife spent time encouraging families dealing with addiction. Before long, invitations to speak and perform started coming from across Missouri and beyond.
The ministry's unusual name came from a conversation with one of Curl's sons.
After several strangers recognized Curl while they were out together, his son asked if he was famous. Curl laughed and explained that he spent time serving in Nixa, Springfield and Ozark.
"My son said, 'Dad, you're three-town famous,'" Curl recalled with a smile.
The family liked the phrase but changed it to "Three Town Hope" because, as Curl puts it, "We don't care about fame. We want to remind people there's hope."
Today, that's exactly what the ministry tries to do.
Rather than waiting for people to come to church, Three Town Hope takes the message to them. The ministry serves in prisons, homeless shelters, recovery programs, churches and even homeless camps.
"We bring church to people who otherwise wouldn't come to church," Curl said.
Music is a big part of that mission. Curl says he has watched people make life-changing decisions during worship services, including giving up drugs, restoring broken relationships and beginning a new walk with Christ.
"It's amazing to see what God does," he said.
The ministry has also attracted volunteers from churches across southwest Missouri. Musicians regularly donate their time to help lead worship and serve alongside the ministry team.
As the ministry continues to grow, Curl says support from the community is becoming even more important. Travel expenses and outreach opportunities continue to increase, but he believes God has faithfully provided every step of the way.
Three Town Hope shares upcoming events, speaking engagements and ministry updates on Facebook and Instagram.
