R.E.A.L. Christian Foundation

R.E.A.L.’s founders, Drs. Dolphus and Rosie Weary are familiar with rural poverty, its causes and effects, and proven solutions. They are also familiar with the struggles rural nonprofits have when trying to work and make a difference in these communities. They are familiar because rural poverty is their story.

After working in Christian community development in Mendenhall, Mississippi for over years, Dolphus and Rosie Weary decided to found R.E.A.L. because they realized the most effective way to combat rural poverty is to empower people to help themselves. R.E.A.L.’s mission, born out of the history and personal experience of its founders; to connect resources, provide grants, and technical assistance for community-based Christian ministries in rural Mississippi in order to enable them to enrich the lives of underserved children, youth, and families.

Together, they have grown R.E.A.L. from a dream, no money, 2000 copies of Dolphus’ 1st book, and a small group of committed friends to: an organization with four full-time and one part time employee; a 15-member executive governing board and both a local and national advisory board; a network of consultants with expertise ranging from computer technical to legal skills; three books in print and a donor base of over 1500 with approximately 400 being regular donors. R.E.A.L. is one of, if not the first Christian-based charitable endowment established in Mississippi, specifically to support rural ministries.

Many rural, Christian ministries struggle with exposure, resources and structure. R.E.A.L. provides solutions to help them successfully overcome their challenges. Over the past 19 years, R.E.A.L. has aided more than 25 rural ministries and communities located from as far north as the Mississippi Delta and as far south as Tylertown. Presently the foundation is supporting 15 different rural ministries in Mississippi.

R.E.A.L. works to provide the proper resources and tools in the form of monetary, in-kind donations and training to the partner ministries it supports. They are empowered to develop and cultivate opportunities within their communities that will physically and spiritually feed generations to come.

After having been involved in Christian community development for a total of 45 years to date, the Weary’s know they will not be around forever; however they are committed to Christian Community Development in rural Mississippi and hope to ensure R.E.A.L.’s legacy, their legacy, for at least another 20 years.