Christmas in Appalachia is tender and complicated. Money is tight most of the year, and it stretches even thinner when parents start picking out gifts and planning Christmas dinners.

Candace Litton, Women and Children Ministries Coordinator, says, “With the recent shutdown and the holidays drawing near, many families are feeling the weight of the season more than ever. Because of this generosity, they were able to feel seen, supported, and deeply cared for. Their gratitude was overwhelming, and it reminded us just how much these acts of kindness truly matter.”

Today, my Appalachian Studies class had the privilege of visiting Portal 31 in Harlan County, a historic coal mine that now stands as a museum preserving the story of Kentucky’s coal heritage.

Low income elderly residents living in isolated areas without transportation receiving home-delivered meals from Red Bird Mission Elderly Ministries can relax for a few weeks. Compassionate individuals and churches learning about the potential shutdown of vital meals have stepped up to make donations...

Red Bird Mission Work Camp does not schedule teams the week of Labor Day, but the north end of Queendale Campus was filled this week with lots of familiar faces, and some new faces, opening up the Fall Work Camp “season.”

The weather is beginning to feel more like Fall the last few days, and weeks filled with sports programs at Red Bird Christian School confirm the transition from Summer to Fall.

Even with the summer heat packing a punch this week, Red Bird Christian School has been nothing short of amazing! 

Over 100 people signed in (and even more who didn’t sign in) making the event an amazing success. With vendors, music, food, and door prizes, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

It’s a “fur piece” from Red Bird Christian School to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, but Principal Jennifer Wilder and Chasley Collett, K-1 Teacher, made the trek last weekend at the request of Rev. Steve McVay.

There were plenty of construction workers at the Florida team’s jobsite so a group of ladies joyfully jumped in to help this week at Community Outreach and at Red Bird Christian School cleaning; organizing pantries and classrooms; packing food boxes and school supplies goodie bags; and handing out fresh produce.

"Learning about dragons was my favorite part," says an elementary student as he recalls his trip to the United Kingdom with classmates.

His volunteer service at Red Bird in the early 1990’s led to his entrance into full time ministry. He said, “The Spirit is here at Red Bird.