Stories of Impact

Paul grew up in Perry County, Kentucky in a hardworking family that struggled at times. He was not averse to tell people his motivation for hunger relief, saying, “I know what it means to grow up hungry as a kid.” He worked tirelessly to resource, pack and transport thousands of food boxes for the Red Bird Mission Crisis Emergency Food Pantry.

Not everyone in the Class of 2026 at Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) was able to make the week-long Senior Class Trip to Gulf Shores in October, but a day-trip to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area in Tennessee last Friday included them. The class travelled as a group to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show, and Wonderworks, an indoor experiential attraction that was also educational.

Normally, a line seen backed up at God’s Storehouse represents food coming from another community for hunger relief, but Tuesday night’s line was all about the Red Bird GA families providing hunger relief by growing food in the community for their community.

Saturday in Madisonville felt like one of those moments where everything lines up and you just know you're looking at something that matters.

Students in Grades 4 and 5 at Red Bird Christian School created thumbprint art recently as part of their art class to share this message: YOU are "Thumb-body" special to Jesus and to our Red Bird Family!

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.

“This work is the heart of the mission—people are counting on this food, and no matter if it’s rain, shine, snow, or ice, we keep doing God’s work and getting it to them.”

Rain falling on top of the snow and plummeting temps on Monday created dangerous, frozen road and walkway surfaces. Telecommunications were lost Sunday when the main cable was accidentally cut during tree removal on the state highway. Executive Director Jamie Collett decided that staff and those needing services would be best served by closing Red Bird Mission on Monday and Tuesday.

Hearts were heavy this week to hear of the passing of Phyllis Crouse, former Red Bird School teacher and librarian on Saturday. The Red Bird School Alumni Association (RBSAA) formalized her status with the Living Legend Award in October, but students and staff knew many years ago that Phyllis Crouse was a Red Bird legend.

In a season of personal loss, my heart longed for a bit of joy.  Then the Lord gave me that gift through my 8th Grade Bible Class as we practiced and performed our “Cardinal Christmas Cookie” puppet show. 

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.

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.

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.

Out here we don’t always have the finest feast, the nicest clothes, or the fattest wallets. What we have is people. The kind you can call when you’re broke down on the side of the road.

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.”

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.

Concern over hunger continues and the pace of response at Red Bird Mission Community Outreach is picking up. On Saturday, the good folks from Murfreesboro, Tennessee showed up to unload 3,500 pounds sweet potatoes coming through the Society of Saint Andrew.

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...

Jon North lauded Mr. Sizemore’s influence in his life on Saturday during his keynote address. Countless others have given unsolicited testimony of the positive impact Daugh made on their lives as a student, athlete, or dormitory resident.