History

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has had a continuing ministry in Appalachia since the 1850s when Hazel Green Christian Church, White Oak Christian Church, Old Grassy Christian Church, and other congregations in Eastern Kentucky were organized.

In addition to our congregations, Hazel Green Academy, Stinnett Settlement School, Morehead Normal School, and Kentucky Normal School at Grayson provided education, room, and board for children who could not travel to and from school each day.  These four schools were founded and supported by the women of Kentucky congregations and, in time, by the Women’s Christian Missionary Society.  With the closure of Hazel Green Academy in 1983, the church was faced with how it would carry out its ministry and mission in the mountains.  A committee was appointed to study the various possibilities.  After a year of deliberation, the committee recommended that the Division of Homeland Ministries (DHM) enter into a cooperative ministry with the Christian Church In Kentucky (CCK) to provide a ministry in Kentucky Appalachia.  As a result, Kentucky Appalachian Ministry (KAM) was born as a Mission Center of Disciples Home Missions and the Christian Church In Kentucky.

In faithful witness to our Disciples of Christ heritage, KAM functions as ecumenical ministry working with local congregations and not-for-profit organizations regardless of their denominational affiliation.

Just as KAM introduces mission groups and volunteers to the people of Appalachia, Disciples of Christ Appalachian congregations provide support to KAM and our various ministries.  For example, have supported programs to support our U.S. military chaplains.  Most importantly, Eastern Kentucky congregations are deeply involved in the outreach needs of their local communities in addition to loving their neighbors across the county and around the world.