Stories of Impact

Easter is a time for hope and Wednesday’s chapel services at Red Bird Christian School sent students home for Easter break with the message of hope.

The colorful logo depicting green mountains, a rainbow and the name of the organization, Mission of Hope, on the side of the box truck just warms the heart when it pulls onto the Red Bird Mission Queendale Campus. And, the love from the volunteers bringing needed items to the families in these Appalachian Mountains personifies hope.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

Janet had a long history at Red Bird as a student (Class of 1980), staff member and beloved community member. Utilizing her post-secondary training in accounting, Janet worked various positions at Red Bird Dental Clinic and Red Bird Medical Clinic in the 1980’s and 1990’s. She took on the important role of Finance Director ...