The Friday Finish - "tasted so delicious!" - "Bullseye" Braxton Sets Sites - A Special Place - All-Hands Gathering - "You can see the Lord..."
- Tim Crawford
- Feb 13
- 7 min read
February 13, 2026
The Coffee “tasted so delicious!”
East Kentucky began thawing out last weekend as more seasonable temperatures (highs in the 40’s and lows in the upper 20’s/low 30’s) have settled in this week. Testimonies received this week regarding the hunger relief efforts by Red Bird Mission (RBM) Community Outreach during the icy fortnight and this week’s return to normal give us all an insight into how vital our work is to survival for some folks.
In prep for the winter storm our meal delivery workers dropped off emergency food boxes to each of the home delivered meal clients prior to the first storm. The deliveries were made with the idea that road conditions would be unsafe to deliver meals for a few days but ended up being two weeks of meal delivery stoppage.
Judy Napier, RBM Community Aid Coordinator, related this story: "An emergency box recipient called in to thank us and to let us know how grateful he was. He went on to say that the box he received provided him the extra vital food that he needed because he didn't have transportation and the roads were too dangerous for people to get to him out. He said he loved to drink coffee and the coffee that came in the box tasted so delicious! After thanking me a couple of times, we ended the call."
Candace Collins, RBM Women and Children’s Ministries Coordinator, resumed her meal route this week and shared, "We delivered meals for the first time in two weeks to the homes that were accessible. As I completed one stop, I saw the person for the next stop coming down the hill to meet me. He was happy to get a meal, but also didn't want me to continue up his driveway that was still covered in ice. He continued to thank me, and showed me an easier way to back up."
These programs cannot continue through the winter months without the ongoing donations from individuals, churches and church groups. You can give online, or mail a check to Red Bird Mission, Inc., 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913-9607 marked “Hunger Relief”.
‘Bullseye’ Braxton Asher Sets Sights on State
Braxton Asher earned his spot this week at the 2026 All A Classic State Archery Tournament the old-fashioned way: by working for it. Qualifying is a big honor, but for Braxton it’s just the next step in a journey he genuinely loves. As Braxton’s coaches, it’s been a real honor just getting to stand behind him and watch him grow into this level of shooter. At the 13th Region Qualifier he showed us all what he’s made of with a score of 276, just three points off the top region score, and 13 “tens” under pressure. That’s grit. But what makes Braxton special isn’t just the number on the scoresheet. He flat-out loves this sport. He’s got a hunger to keep getting better, always trying to tighten that group, lock in a little more, chase that next point.
For an 8th grader to carry that kind of fire, that mix of hard work and true passion, it’s just a beautiful thing to see. He’s the kind of kid who makes you believe the work matters. Having Braxton's dad, Troy Brandon Asher, beside him as our assistant coach is a blessing to our program. That father-son bond on the range is a big part of why Braxton stands so steady and confident on the line. We couldn’t be more proud to see Braxton representing Red Bird Christian School. The Red Bird Archery team, his coaches, his parents and this entire community is standing behind him every step of the way.
Senior Athletes: “Red Bird… a special place”
Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) students returned to the classroom on Monday after the unscheduled winter weather break, to resume the third term of the 2025-26 academic year. Red Bird Cardinal Fans took time Wednesday night prior to the boys basketball game with The David School to honor four senior athletes that are closing out athletic careers and extracurricular service at RBCS – Landon Belcher, Trever Osborne, Miranda Brock and Lexie Estep.
Athletic Director Dane Sizemore began the recognition ceremony with encouraging scripture, appreciation for each, well wishes for the future, and the assurance that Red Bird would continue to support them. Coach Sizemore said,
“I want to wish you all the best of luck in the future in this game we call, ‘life’. It isn’t always easy, but I want you all to know that this school and community has your back.”
Mrs. Melanie Adams, RBCS Guidance Counselor, offered words of appreciation for the commitment and leadership that the Senior athletes contributed to the school community. Mrs. Adams then summarized each student athlete’s years of involvement in sports and extracurricular activities, and their favorite memory. Coaches presented gifts and hugs of appreciation.
Landon was recognized for participation in basketball and baseball (5 years), cross country (2 years), track and Student Council. Landon included in his memories that
“Red Bird is a special place to me because it’s a place of worship.”
Trever, the longest tenured athlete of the Class of 2026, has participated in basketball, baseball and band for 8 years and cross country for 3 years. RBCS Music Director Nate Smallwood took the microphone to note that Trever had never missed any music programs in the years he’s led music at RBCS. Mr. Smallwood pronounced his confidence in Trever’s future stating,
“Trever is able to do anything he wants to do.”
Miranda has served as an honorary cheerleader for two years whose favorite memory of RBCS is taking walks in the gym and socializing with teachers and friends in the library. Mrs. Adams emphasized Miranda’s contribution to the school and community saying,
“She’s a light in this world!”
Lexie has been a Cardinal athlete for 5 years in volleyball and cheer, and has contributed as yearbook staff and a Student Council member. Lexie, graduating a year early through additional work, said,
“Red Bird is special because it is Christian oriented and I can express my faith. It’s not just a place; it’s also people.”
All-Hands Gathering
Kelton Adams, Red Bird Mission (RBM) Economic Opportunity Director, and Tracy Nolan, RBM Community Outreach Director, were at Berea College Thursday and Friday for the 2026 Grow Appalachia (GA) All-Hands Gathering. They are sharing and learning with other program coordinators from 25 different groups/organizations in Appalachian counties of six states in preparation of the 2026 gardening season.
Kelton noted the following,
“This year’s All Hands Gathering, in my opinion, has been one of the better conferences I have attended thus far. The Open Space session was great! Got to cover several important topics and a lot of new ideas to bring back and share and implement with our farmers. I really enjoyed the session on flood and climate resiliency. There were volumes of helpful information and techniques.”
This is Red Bird Mission’s 16th year as a GA host site. We were 1 of 4 pilot sites back in 2010 and are still going strong in 2026. We are empowering rural residents to grow their own food, as we partner with them to provide vital resources and supports, access to equipment, and providing local research based organic gardening education.
“You can see the Lord in them all.”
I catch little glimpses of Jesus in the people and the work we do out here in these hills. This spring, one of those glimpses looks a whole lot like a baseball coach standing on a dusty field with a Bible lesson in his pocket and Red Bird boys in his heart.
Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) would like to introduce the new baseball coach, Nathaniel “Pino” Brock. Pino spent three years coaching Little League in Leslie County before joining Red Bird as an assistant baseball coach last year. This season, he steps into the head coach role, and he’s quick to say he’s just thankful for the opportunity to serve with his assistant coaches by his side – Nate Smallwood, Hunter Jackson and Troy Brandon Asher.
For Pino, it isn’t about a title. It’s about being a light for these boys, on and off the field.
Pino says what he loves most about coaching here is that,
“You can see the Lord in them all.”
As we head into this new baseball season, beginning February 15th, what he hopes people notice first about this team isn’t just their stats, but their character: a group of very respectful boys who work hard. He wants to help shape young men who know how to pray, how to lean on God the most, and how to carry their faith with them whether they’re at school, at home, or out on that ball field.
This week, Pino was chosen to lead devotions at RBCS. His message was simple but strong: planting seeds.
“If you plant good seeds, they will blossom. If you plant bad seeds, nothing comes from it.”
That lesson fits him perfectly—because that’s the kind of person he is. Pino is more interested in planting good seeds in the hearts of our kids than making a name for himself. He wants to be remembered not just as a head coach, but as somebody who loved these boys well and pointed them toward Jesus.
Scripture reminds us of this same truth in Galatians 6:9, which says,
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Coach Brock is stepping into this season with that kind of steady, faithful mindset—planting good seeds, trusting God with the harvest, and pouring into the next generation of Red Bird Cardinals, one practice and one prayer at a time.
- Kayla Smith, Development Gifts & Media
Countdown to Chiller Delivery
We reported last week that a new chiller for Red Bird Christian School is on order for expected delivery and installation in March. We still need approximately $10,000 by March to complete payment to avoid borrowing money to complete this vital project to provide the best environment for students to learn.
Replacement of the failing classroom units for the system will follow, but can be done on a room by room basis as funds become available. The cost for installation and replacement of the room units is now estimated at $10,000 each.
Please help now with an online donation, or mail your check to Red Bird Mission, Inc., 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913-9607 marked “Cool the School”.
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