BY MILES LAYTON
SWAN QUARTER – What began as a quiet whisper from God to one woman’s heart has grown into a thriving grassroots movement of compassion and service in Hyde County. Come Weary Soul, a community-centered initiative based in Swan Quarter, is the vision of Jerilyn Prunty, who felt God calling her to a mission of healing and presence more than five years before she moved to the area.
“God put this plan in motion before I even arrived,” Prunty shared. “When I met Teresa Craig, it felt like God had already aligned our paths. From that divine meeting, this ministry was born.”
Now led by Director Teresa Craig, Come Weary Soul has become a beacon for individuals in Hyde County navigating personal crisis, domestic violence, or simple uncertainty about where to turn.
“Many people in our county are struggling—not because they don’t want help, but because they’re unsure where to go,” Craig explained. “Some are afraid to approach traditional systems alone. Come Weary Soul is here to walk beside them.”
The organization provides a wide range of support, including emergency transportation, temporary housing for domestic violence survivors to find inner peace, and personal advocacy for community members facing difficult circumstances. But beyond services, Craig says their focus is on presence.
“We don’t just offer resources—we offer relationship. We listen without judgment, and we’re already seeing deep, meaningful friendships form through this work.”
In a natural extension of their mission, Come Weary Soul recently launched the CWS Youth Empowerment Hub at 82 NC Highway 45 in Swan Quarter. The Hub is designed as a safe, welcoming space for Hyde County youth—a place where they can do homework, talk with a trusted adult, or simply be themselves in a healthy environment.
“We were incredibly humbled when Hyde County Schools and Superintendent Dr. Shaver allowed us to recover large furnishings from a building set to be demolished,” Craig said. “That generosity helped us bring the Hub to life—and it reminded us how deeply connected this community is.”
The Empowerment Hub has already become a symbol of hope for the next generation, grounded in the same principles that guide the larger mission of Come Weary Soul: faith, friendship, and healing through human connection.
“Our belief is simple,” Craig said. “Healing starts with relationship. When people feel seen, heard, and supported, they begin to rebuild—and we believe Hyde County becomes stronger with every act of care.”
As the organization continues to grow, Craig says they remain rooted in their original calling: to meet people where they are—with open hands, open hearts, and the belief that no one should face life’s hardest moments alone.
For more information or to get involved with Come Weary Soul, residents are encouraged to contact Teresa Craig directly or visit the Youth Empowerment Hub in Swan Quarter. Facebook link facebook.com/comewearysoul along with email and phone numbers:
Jerilyn Prunty 252-924-0112
Teresa Craig 252-542-0787
Director.comewearysoul@gmail.com