“We believe He fills us with His Spirit and His Word. We will then naturally spill over into the lives of others.”
The Vision: Life in the Overflow
Overflow Ministries was never something Theresa spent time thinking about forming. It just sort of happened as she followed what God set in front of her. Theresa believes these kinds of things are not conjured up in the mind of man; they are not planned, strived for, or dreamed of, nor are they something simply to do, be, or accomplish. She believes this is nothing more than one of the “good works He created in advance for us to walk in,” (Eph 2:10). Overflow was never part of the plan. It was part of God’s plan, and when He whispered it, Theresa said, “Yes.”
In the fall of 2025, Theresa felt the Lord prompting her to start a ministry. It was so random, yet, more than three times she felt God impressing this on her (John 10:27) so much so she told her husband, Josh, about it. After several mentions of it, Josh asked her, “Do you think that God is telling you to do it (start a ministry)? “
She froze. To say “No,” would be to deny what I knew to be true, but to say “Yes” meant something had to be done. Reluctantly, she confirmed that “Yes, I believe God is leading me to start a ministry,” only she didn’t understand why, so she tucked the idea aside for a time.
Just a few weeks later, on Christmas Day, while driving home from Iowa, Theresa read her friend Helen’s newsletter aloud to Josh. After reading it, Theresa told him, “I think I should go,” to which he replied, “I think so too.”
This sparked a conversation that neither one of them had a grid for at this stage in life. It had been a decade since we’d been to Africa together, and 17 years since she was last in Zambia. Homeschooling two small kids, working part-time as an RN, managing livestock, homesteading, and two weekly Bible studies kept her plate full. They wondered: Is this even possible? Could they afford it? What about the kids? There were more questions than answers. But when she mentioned the possibility of a visit to Helen, she replied, “I’ve been praying you would come.”
Theresa and Josh started to pray about her visiting Helen, and the prompting to go remained. Confirmation trickled in, including from Theresa’s mother-in-law. After she shared her intentions with her, she said through tearful eyes, “Recently, when praying for you, I’ve felt like you—or you guys—would be going somewhere soon.”
Almost daily, God increased support, including funding, a plan for Josh, the kids, and animals, as well as a friend to accompany Theresa, and a full itinerary from Helen.
In just a few short weeks, it all came together. Suddenly, what seemed like an impossibility was made manifest, and Theresa found herself on the long trek to Kabwe, Zambia.
The trip had too many things to share succinctly here. Lives were touched, including ours. There was much prayer, seed planting, supplies given, training, vision casting, and validation of needs. Theresa left Zambia in tears as she parted not just from a friend this time, but from someone she knew more deeply and loved as a sister in the Lord.
Upon returning from Zambia, it was clear why she needed to start a ministry. It is largely to create a structure to support the ongoing work in Zambia, as well as a funnel for a few local ministries and a platform for her books (in process).
The name, Overflow Ministries, is based on a verse that was so strongly impressed on Theresa as she prepared to leave for Zambia. “He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies, He anoints my head with oil, my cup overflows…” Ps 23:5. Over and over, each part of this verse kept showing up in tangible ways, only to culminate in one finishing touch—in Zambia, we were placed in Room 23 at our hotel.
Overflow Ministries is based on the idea that in Him, we have ALL we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). We may be ill-equipped on our own, but when we come to Him, He fills us—abundantly and to overflowing—to touch lives for His glory.
Support Overflow Ministries in Zambia
All donations received go directly to our Zambian ministry partners, including support for Helen, Alfred, and family, supplies for the disabled children's center, support for the volunteers at the disabled children's center, support for developing the babies home, and to supply food for the children at the orphanage.
If you have a specific location/recipient in mind for your donation, please reach out to us with instructions.
Your support today helps continue this work.
Thank you for your generous support!
Make an Impact Today
Our Mission Statement
“Fulfilling the great commission, equipping the saints, advocating for the oppressed, and caring for orphans and widows through the meeting of practical needs, and sharing the knowledge of Him and His promises by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Our Core Belief
We hope to see the body of Christ come together across denominational lines to advance God’s Kingdom by faith in Him and His Word. Furthering God’s Kingdom takes on many forms. From a cup of cold water (Mat 10:24), to providing for physical needs (James 2:16), and using the authority given to us by Jesus to minister to spiritual and physical conditions (Mark 16:15-18).
Our goal
While the primary vision is to support the ongoing work in Zambia, we (Theresa, Josh, and the board) believe that God’s work is always “both and,” meaning it’s not limited to Zambia. God often uses partnerships such as this to bless the local church bodies to encourage, inspire, and minister to people here just as much as there.
We recognize that we are imperfect vessels (2 Cor 4:7) and that God has divinely connected us with the work He is doing in Zambia. It is our goal to follow His leadings as revealed to accomplish His ultimate mission—that all might know Him (2 Peter 3:9) and find their needs met in Him. We work towards this by providing financial, practical, and spiritual support wherever He leads.
We also recognize that God is at work and has similar good works prepared in advance for us to walk in locally. To that end, we strive to bring our piece(s) to support two local bodies as able (Rom 12:4-5). This comes primarily through worship, teaching, Bible studies, serving, and giving financial support.
The Every Penny Promise
A vital part of our vision is integrity and radical generosity. To ensure that the focus remains entirely on the mission, the Smith family personally absorbs all administrative and transaction costs. Our vision is a ministry model where supporters know that every penny hits the ground, directly touching the lives of those in need.
Join Us
Whether it is through an outreach team in Zambia, a Saturday or Sunday worship service in Wisconsin, or a Bible study, we invite you to be all in for Jesus. Only In Him can we discover our purpose and the good works that He prepared for each of us to walk in (Eph 2:10). We trust that as we pursue Him together in surrender and obedience, He will consistently fill us to overflowing for His glory.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly" — John 10:10
