About The Well
“The Well” was born March 14th, 1999 when Kris Rhoades, editor and founder of The Well Ministries, was miraculously healed from depression at a women’s retreat. God spoke to her that morning to begin publishing a booklet of inspirational and encouraging stories to help revitalize other women also suffering from depression.
Although her first intentions were to market the booklet to middle-aged women suffering from depression, the Lord quickly increased her mission field. 
The booklet is now read by men and women, teens and seniors, pastors and prisoners.
Kris started distributing copies of “The Well” while her husband, Lou, sang with a Southern Gospel Men’s Quartet at local churches. The first issue was designed on 11×17 newsletter style but after the first day 300 disappeared quickly, she realized she could not keep up with that demand without automating the process somewhat.
The first year or so Kris and Lou were able to produce “The Well” monthly through Lou’s self-owned printing business. Lou suggested converting it to the present form of an 8½ x 5½ booklet that could be automated on his equipment.
For the third issue, Lou suggested adding a little spot color to the cover and the fourth issue they added more color, filling in the woman at the well with variations of one color. Each issue thereafter used a different spot color.
Since the first issue of 300 copies went so quickly, Kris began working on the second issue right away. For that issue they printed 1000 copies but they disappeared as quickly as the first issue. The Rhoades increased the third issue to 2000. Each month the quantity increased as finances were available. At one point they were up to 5,000 copies per issue.
The Well Ministries, Inc. was created ad the governing organization and in September of 1999 received its 501(c)(3) status from the IRS to allow for tax deductible donations to help pay for printing and mailing.
“The Well” has always been distributed by donation, but not always monthly. As their business began to suffer with the economy, so did printing “The Well.” The next few years the publication was produced as funds were available. Several years only 2 or 3 issues were distributed.
In 2009 the publication reached its 10th Anniversary Issue and along with the 36 previous issues distribution had reached over 150,000 total copies.
Along with the 10th Anniversary edition came the announcement for Kris and Lou to begin full-time ministry and the desire to increase the distribution of “The Well.”
WHERE DID THE WELL GET ITS NAME?
The morning Kris received the vision of The Well Publication it did not have a name but rather it’s original purpose was going to be a publicity campaign for her husband’s printing business. She had been receiving so many really good and uplifting stories via email for many months prior to this and wished she could find a way to share them with others, especially those suffering from depression. She knew the stories would encourage others and they did to her.
The morning at the retreat the Lord said to look around and see 40 other women all hurting for various reasons. She could give them encouragement through the printed word.
If you read Kris’ testimony you would find out that prior to this retreat she had not been attending church, nor had she been in relationship with God for about 6 months. She had run away from Him.
As she was contemplating this major task God had set before her she prayed that God would give her a name for the publication. She knew every good publication had a good name and even had the nerved to tell God that she would only do it if He gave her a good name.
The next morning, during a time of meditation, she was thinking about the Biblical story of The Woman at The Well
