By Mike Puckett, Chair of the Beargrass Mission & Outreach Division

“We are led by love, compassion, and kindness–following the example and commands of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves and to serve the ‘the least of these’”. I believe these words, taken directly from the Beargrass Mission & Vision Statement, speak to the passionate work of our church family in the refugee mission field.

In May the United Nations reported that 120 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced from their homes, 52 million of whom are now in another country. By comparison, it was reported that just 158,700 people were relocated to safety in a third country through the UN’s resettlement program in 2023. Troubling numbers, given that each represents a human life, for sure.

Beargrass’s history in refugee resettlement is both deep and generous–you have long welcomed families co-sponsored alongside Kentucky Refugee Ministries with donations of home furnishings, household supplies, food, gift cards, and more. Just in the past 15 years, your compassion has touched over 100 lives directly, and a great many more in our local refugee community indirectly. Now, we have alerted KRM that we will again co-sponsor a family….this one set to arrive in September. So, if you or your family and friends have furniture to donate, please go to kyrm.org now (donate portal) and arrange for a pick-up, noting it is for the home of our incoming Beargrass family. Smaller items will be collected at church, with details about those to follow.

In preparation for our new family, you are invited to a program in Chalice Hall at 10 am on Sunday, September 8. Joseph Caminiti, Co-Sponsorship & Volunteer Engagement Manager at KRM, has graciously volunteered to speak to the state of refugees worldwide, in the US, and in our local community. Please circle this time on your calendar and join us as we embark on this life-altering journey, in welcoming another family in 2024!