Board Report
Mission
Who We Are – The Ark of Highland Lakes is a faith-driven nonprofit organization that exists to serve individuals and families in crisis throughout the Highland Lakes region. Formerly known as the Highland Lakes Crisis Network, ARK unites churches, volunteers, and community partners to bring hope, healing, and long-term transformation to those in need.
Vision
How We Work – ARK operates through a network of local churches, trained volunteers, and nonprofit partners. We respond to both immediate crises—like natural disasters or emergencies—and long-term needs like transitional housing, food insecurity, foster care support, and spiritual guidance. Every response is built on relational support and a desire to show the love of Christ through action.
ARK Ministries & Operational Highlights:
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”
Statement of Faith:
John 1: 1-3, 14; Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. Our faith in Him and His saving work on the Cross is the one and only requirement to enter into eternal life.
John 14:6; John 3:16-18
As a representative of Ark, Christ Jesus my Lord, and the local church which is His Body, my actions in the service of my neighbors during times of crisis or disaster will always reflect His love and bring glory to His Name.
Matthew 22: 37-39; John 13:34-35
Maintaining active involvement in a local Christian community is essential to continue to grow in His love and grace.
Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 12:27
The Warehouse recently had a TV installed, creating a new way to share announcements and the story of the Ark with one of our largest captive audiences.
2026 Q1 Numbers: Gross Sales – $263,343 (this is a 64% increase from 2025 Q1)
Year to date vouchers given-$80,624
So far, 10 people have been fully outfitted for prom, and the high school has taken 25 dresses and 8 suits directly to the school.
We were invited to apply for a Red Cross grant of up to $750,000.
We submitted a pre-application for funding toward the clinic at Valley View.
We were nominated by the Burnet Chamber of Commerce for Nonprofit of the Year.
Upcoming Events
- Communities That Care: This event, planned for Saturday, May 9th, from 9AM-4PM, at Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet, is an educational opportunity for those thinking about becoming foster parents or wanting to support those who do.
- 63 Flood Cases Open – 496 Closed
- To date, Ark has submitted 27 individual projects for funding consideration and has received $201,760.63 in total funding, including $121,307.55 from The Salvation Army and $80,453.08 from Convoy of Hope.
- This month, First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio and Anglican VOAD partnered with us in rebuild efforts.
•SMART Smiles events (2026): $407,960 in donated dental care
•Ark Agape Dental Clinic (2026): $116,473 in donated treatment so far this year
•Ark Agape Mobile Clinic (Burnet, March 26–27): $109,149 in donated care
•Mobile Clinic details: 15 mobile dental units with volunteer dentists from across Texas, serving approximately 200–300 patients
•Total donated dental care in 2026 so far: $633,582
23 People attended volunteer orientation this month
11 people attended Loving God. Loving People Discipleship Training
We have created an internship application and will begin accepting submissions.
•One Burnet family and one Bertram family are halfway through the licensing process.
•Josh Owen with Fostering Hope presented “How the Past Affects the Present,” a TBRI training, at the April 14 Foster Care Task Force meeting.
•Distributed 18 Easter casseroles to foster families.
•Two meetups in April, one in Marble Falls and one in Burnet with combined attendance at the two meetups was more than 33 adults and 33 kids.
• One apartment at Spicewood Baptist has completed renovations and is ready for a new client.
•Yoli is finishing her final semester of prerequisites, and if she earns an A in her last class, she will be able to apply to the nursing program for the fall.
•Judie has been helping all of our families prepare for summer by securing childcare and assisting with registration for VBS, summer camps, and other opportunities for their children.
•Teresa, one of our Transformational Living families, has stepped in to fill Amada’s position. She is bilingual + hardworking!
•Apiary will welcome 10 hives of bees this week
•The Chapel slab has been poured, and framing is set to begin next Monday, April 27, 2026.
•El Centro foundation work is underway, and plumbing has been roughed in. The slab will be poured in stages.
•The cabins continue to make great progress. Keith’s cabin has been painted inside, and the cabinets and countertops are in. Tile is scheduled to be completed on April 5, and work is underway to finish water and electricity to the cabins. Target move-in date for Keith is May 9th.
- Estimated 1,000 people were in attendance for Good Friday service and we know of at least 3 women who gave their life to Jesus
- Second Pastoral Advisory Meeting was April 9th. A communication request was made for a similar update specifically tailored to pastors and churches. They will begin receiving a bi-monthly “Pastors Operations Report”. Next Advisory meeting will be June 11th.
- Six churches across Llano and Burnet Counties will partner with us and Convoy of Hope for Summer Meals for Kids. Convoy is sponsoring the meals and we will be the local hub coordinating with the churches.
- One testimony from A.N.D.Y. this month came through a woman who has been visiting our Burnet location for several months. During her visit in April, one of our prayer shepherds asked if he could pray for her. Later that same day, she came back with $100 check in hand and shared that no one had ever prayed for her before. She was so moved by the kindness and care she experienced that she wanted to give back.
- In May, we will begin serving Hoover Valley monthly in partnership with Love in Action.
- Bertram snapshot: 69 individuals (representing 242) visited the Bertram location this month.
Board Meeting Archives
Core Values in Action
Humility
We believe in seeking God first, and depend on Him in every decision and action.
- We trust that God uses our vulnerabilities as a pathway to growth and deeper
- community with others.
- We welcome feedback, take responsibility for our shortcomings, and know our
- successes are shared.
- We serve others with gratitude, recognizing that every opportunity to help is a
- privilege.
- We are patient and slow to anger.
Selflessness
We believe that our reward is found in glorifying God, not ourselves.
We model Christ’s sacrificial love in every relationship and task.
We step into hard places for the sake of others.
We willingly share our time, talent, and resources.
We pursue unity over personal preference for the flourishing of “The Church Together”.
Love God, Love People
We believe in prioritizing our relationship with God, knowing that love for others flows from love for Him.
- We seek God’s will and work with a servant’s heart.
- We demonstrate with our actions that mercy triumphs over judgment.
- We extend grace freely.
- We are empathetic and treat every person with dignity, respect, and kindness.
Integrity
We believe honesty honors God and builds trust.
- We strive to reflect Christ’s character in everything we do.
- We keep our promises and fulfill our commitments.
- We do what’s right. Even when no one is watching.
- We handle finances, relationships, and responsibilities with transparency.
Results
We believe in stewarding God’s resources faithfully.
- We work hard and persevere through challenges, trusting that God multiplies our efforts.
- We set clear goals and pursue them with excellence and are accountable for the outcomes of our work.
- We measure impact, not just effort, focusing on real transformation in the lives we serve.
- We continually learn and improve.
Relationships
We believe that no one grows and thrives alone, that we all grow and thrive in relationship with God and one another.
- We prioritize people over tasks, remembering that every person is valued by God and worthy of our time and care.
- We perform better, are smarter, and have more fun working as a team than as individuals.
- We work hard to build partnerships of trust in all endeavors.
- We are committed to know, listen, and care as we build trusting relationships with people across the communities we serve.