McDowell County, West Virginia is one of the poorest counties in the country. At one time the population of McDowell County was over 100,000. Developed around coal mining, McDowell County’s economy has taken a hit with the advancement in mining technology and the decrease in the nation’s dependence on coal.
As a mission and a ministry we face many challenges. Spiritual, emotional, cultural, financial and our own flesh to name a few. There are several things we have to do to "hang in there". One of the most important things is our supporters back home. Obviously, financial support is important for our continued efforts but spiritually we need, have to have, people praying for us. We know when people are praying for us. Emotionally it helps us to keep going because we are not alone in the battle.
In the past 18 months we have seen an increase in opportunities to minister at a deeper level in McDowell County. In order to to take advantage of those opportunities we need more missionaries and more supporters. We are convinced that there are people out there who love Jesus and have a heart for ministry. They are bing called into ministry yet hesitate because they don't fit their vision for what or who God calls into ministry. They think of themselves as misfits or too non-tradtional. Well, welcome to our world of misfits for Jesus! We are not interested in career missionaries. We are interested in called missionaries. Too young, too old, too many children, too sinful of a past, too broke...if God calls, answer. If its to McDowell County, call us.
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Ruth Brown, wife of Pastor Kenneth Brown has joined the staff as a part-time parent educator. Ruth has two wonderful children and works at Welch Emergency Hospital. Ruth plans to specialize in working with teen moms along with Sarah Diaz.
Parents as Teachers continues to grow at a rather quick rate and Ruth will be an important part in our continued growth.
You can join us in this new, exciting and much needed ministry by participating in one or more of the following:
