Community Missions
White Flag Cold Weather Relief Ministry
Over the summer of 2017 church members (especially the missions committee) had a winter relief ministry on their hearts and minds. In December 2017 we kicked off our "Winter Relief Ministry," an exciting and important new ministry that provides shelter for the homeless on nights when the weather will drop below 27 degrees. On these nights we, through a partnership with a local hotel, share room vouchers—administered on a first-come, first-served basis—with individuals and/or families who otherwise would be exposed to the cold.
While aware of the fact that this is a much larger problem that the church cannot provide a quick fix for or a long-term answer, we recognize our responsibility to the least of these. We feel it’s our call to see Jesus in everyone and particularly in the least of these. In a season when it’s so cold and conditions are harsh and the least of these find themselves without access to warmth and a roof, we as a church want to see Jesus in those people and want to do what we believe Jesus would have us do.
In order to sustain this ministry, we greatly appreciate any financial contribution you feel led to give. You can contribute easily by making a donation through our e-giving portal. If you don't have an account, just click Quick Give on the left, and select “White Flag Cold Weather Relief Ministry.”
Meanwhile, we covet volunteers who are willing to help with kitchen needs (warming up and serving pre-prepared soup), with check-in (taking guest names and cross-referencing to make sure the guest in question has not previously run afoul of our published policies), and with van transport (driving or riding). If you are willing to help in any of these ways, please call the church office.
Here's hoping that, through this new ministry, we can demonstrate the spirit of Christ in winter to some of those who will be most affected by the coming cold.
Thank you for your participation in this vital ministry.
Learn more here: Wed Dec 27 WKYT
Food Pantry
Since 1990, the Food Pantry at First Baptist Church has been supplying food to hungry and economically disadvantaged persons in the Corbin community. Our food pantry serves approximately 1100 families each year, providing food to approximately 2000 people. The Food Pantry is located in the FBC Family Life Center beside the church. It is open every Thursday from 12-2 PM.
Blessing Box
In March 2017 the Blessing Box was made available. Members of the community may take from the box as needed or give as they see fit. In October 2020, the Blessing Box was relocated to Laurel Avenue near the Family Life Center where the Food Pantry is now located.
Baptist Housing
Baptist Housing is a 64 unit living facility for elderly and mobility-impaired adults. The vision of then-pastor John T. Dunaway and a group of FBC members, Baptist Housing was built in 1981 and has been a vital resource to the Corbin community ever since. The executive board of Baptist Housing is comprised of First Baptist members. It remains an integral ministry in the life of First Baptist Church.
Shoebox Ministry
Each year, we partner with churches around our area and make it our goal to fill 200 shoeboxes. These boxes go to the Olive Branch Ministries located in Somerset, Kentucky. This ministry distributes these boxes to children in some of the poorest counties in Kentucky.
If you would like to fund a box or boxes, the average cost is $25. Please note “Shoebox Ministry” on your check or envelope. If you’d like to give via E-Giving, please select “Shoebox Ministry.”
Mustard Seed Garden
First Baptist Church is a community that celebrates the goodness of God’s creation and the Christian call to steward it properly. To that end, the Mustard Seed Garden at First Baptist Church was planted in the spring of 2016 to serve as a resource for educating our community about gardening, healthy eating, creation care, and human-land interconnectedness. Crops from our garden go directly to hungry persons from the Corbin community and to educating our congregation and community on food preparation and healthy lifestyles. Each week, partner families receive a box of freshly harvested vegetables, and in return those families help us in the garden and attend our food preparation classes. We have chosen to call our garden “The Mustard Seed Garden” because, though it begins with 12 beds and serves but a modest number of local families, our faithful prayer is that it will grow ten-fold, stretching across our church property and feeding more and more hungry members of the Corbin community. If you are interested in being involved with the Mustard Seed Garden or in being a recipient of the garden’s produce, please call the church office at 606.528.4738.
Click here to see an article on the Mustard Seed Garden.
Click here to check out the Growing in the Garden blog with the latest harvest information!
