Our Ministries

Kentucky Appalachian Ministry (KAM) is where the whole church comes together in ministries of compassion, hospitality, and justice. KAM is where the whole church comes together to celebrate the small churches that account for more that 75% of Kentucky congregations. KAM is where congregations come together to support our military chaplains and voices are raised in support of family farms. KAM is where the gifts of Kentucky Appalachia are offered freely to the whole church and individuals are invited to “stay awhile” to enjoy the hospitality of mountain homes and the glories of nature. KAM is where the whole church comes together as disciples of Christ.

The Christian Church In Kentucky (CCK) has had a continuing ministry in Appalachia since the 1850s when Hazel Green Christian Church, White Oak Christian Church, Old Grassey 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.

The mission of Kentucky Appalachian Ministry (KAM) is to:

• Celebrate the gifts, hospitality, and experiences of the people of Kentucky Appalachia with the Whole Church. KAM seeks to become the Good New by continuing the mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the people of Appalachia through its Eastern Kentucky congregations and by engaging congregations, not-for-profits, and individuals in ministries of reconciliation and justice.

During the 2011 calendar year-to-date:

• KAM received donations of food, Christmas gifts, bedding, and clothing for the Garrard County Cooperative Parish, Fort Logan Community Ministry, Casey County Community Ministries, Rockcastle County Schools after school program, Hazard / Perry County Community Ministry Homeless Shelter, Middlesboro Community Ministry, and Helping Hands Community Ministry Pikeville.
• KAM oversaw the awarding of scholarships from the Appalachian Leaders Scholarship Fund. The scholarships were given to Appalachian students attending Midway College.
• KAM provided staff support to Appalachian Congregations. Thanks to the generous support of the Christian Church In Kentucky the KAM Associate Regional Minister, provided support to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations.
• KAM provided a prophetic and healing voice to the Church. As a congregationally based cooperative ministry, KAM normally defers social and political issues to the prophetic voices of our congregations and their pastors. However, KAM has long been a prophetic voice to the church regarding Appalachian concerns and rural life issues. As a result, KAM has represented the DHM and CCK in lobbying for just farm policies and the KAM Director serves on the Executive Committee of the Rural Church Network.
• KAM redeveloped our Kids to Kids ministry. The program allows youth groups, Vacation Bible School Classes, congregations, organizations, and individuals to support Appalachian children who are learning to play traditional music. Only recently, this program was blessed by a special offering taken by the Association of Disciples Musicians at their annual meeting being held in Lexington, Kentucky. We are hoping to expand this program this year.
• Working with a grant from Disciples Home Missions KAM has given oversight to children and family ministry in Irvine and Cumberland, Kentucky.
• KAM joined with our ministry partners to provide projects for volunteers of all ages. During the last 18 months KAM has provided assistance to 16 groups seeking to volunteer in Kentucky Appalachia. We are particularly thankful for the Christian Church In Kansas leading a large work group to Pikeville to support rebuilding from flooding. Likewise, Week of Compassion continued to work independently and with KAM to provide flood relief in the Morehead area, Olive Hill area, and Pike County.
• Disciples Home Mission made a grant KAM from the Remembering there are No Undeserving Children in the World Fund for four direct support ministries. These funds will allow families under stress to enjoy intentional time together in family activities.
• KAM helped the larger church meet the people of Kentucky Appalachia. We helped musicians, storytellers, farm families, coal miners, and pastors tell the real story of Appalachia.

At KAM we are so thankful for the 24 Disciples of Christ congregations that serve the people of Eastern Kentucky. Their pastors, elders, and leadership are KAM’s next-door neighbors. But, we are just as thankful for the congregations and individuals around Kentucky and the United States that support our ministry. We count on our friends for an increasingly significant part of the KAM budget. When we have needed you for school backpacks, work teams, canned food, gifts for children, disaster relief, and donations to our general fund, your gifts exceeded our dreams.