ARMS welcomes Dr. Samantha Phillips as the new leader and Executive Director. 

With over 25 years of ministry and nonprofit leadership experience, she is also a domestic violence overcomer who found faith in God during one of the most difficult seasons of her life nearly 30 years ago. Her faith journey began in that crucible. She later authored Cast Down But Not Destroyed: One Woman’s Story of Overcoming,an account of resilience, healing, and restoration. This article is her abridged story of the path of purpose that led her to ARMS.

I did not grow up imagining that one day I would lead an organization dedicated to domestic abuse recovery. Like many survivors, my early life was shaped by instability, loss, and pain I did not yet have language for. I learned very young how to survive, how to endure, and how to keep moving forward even when forward felt uncertain.

As a young woman, I found myself trapped in an abusive marriage while serving in the U.S. Air Force, raising two small children, and carrying the quiet weight of shame, fear, and confusion that so many survivors know too well. From the outside, I appeared strong and capable. On the inside, I was fighting to hold myself together.

It was in that season, when I felt most broken, that I encountered God in a personal and transformative way. I did not find faith through religion or perfection, but through desperation and grace. Faith became the turning point that allowed me to believe my life was not over, that abuse did not define me, and that healing was possible.

That inner awakening gave me the courage to leave with little more than my children, a few belongings, and a fragile but growing trust that something better lay ahead. The road to rebuilding was not instant or easy. It involved shelters, setbacks, and the slow work of restoration emotionally, spiritually, and practically. Step by step, support met obedience, and provision met courage.

Over time, what began as personal healing grew into a calling. I returned to school, rebuilt stability, and entered full-time ministry and nonprofit leadership. Over the past two and a half decades, I have served as a pastor, organizational leader, trainer, speaker, and advocate, helping individuals and families navigate trauma, recovery, and purpose. Across faith-based and community-based spaces, I learned that compassion must be paired with structure, accountability, and excellence.

Through every role I have held, survivors have remained at the center of my heart. When I first encountered ARMS, I recognized something familiar. This was not just a service provider. ARMS carries deep respect for survivor dignity, a commitment to evidence-based healing, and a belief that restoration must be holistic, addressing safety, emotional recovery, spiritual support, and long-term stability. ARMS understands that freedom is not only leaving abuse but learning how to live whole again.

My decision to step into leadership at ARMS was not simply a career move. It was a full-circle calling. The very work ARMS does once saved my life and helped shape my future. As we enter 2026, my vision for ARMS is rooted in both compassion and strength by expanding access to services, strengthening community partnerships, supporting our dedicated staff, and ensuring every survivor knows they are seen, valued, and not alone.

Thank you for your support, your trust, and your shared commitment to healing. I am honored to walk this road with you. Together, we help ensure that no one remains cast down and that healing leads to a future not destroyed but restored.

Your generosity makes this healing work possible. If you feel moved to support survivors on their journey toward freedom and restoration, please consider donating at www.abuserecovery.org/give