A Message from the Director

For several years, Mountain Hope has been working in three of Kentucky’s poorest counties to share the hope of Christ among friends new and old. As a part of “Together for Hope,” the rural poverty initiative of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Mountain Hope shares their guiding principles and objectives.

We work through local partners to alleviate poverty in three focal areas, hoping that those who join us in this work will gain a greater awareness of our biblical mandate with the poor and will be able and willing to implement what they have learned back home. What does this look like? Sometimes it looks like building an affordable house or taking kids swimming. Sometimes it means teaching a knitting class or going hiking with local youth through some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Always, it involves relationships.

As Christ’s ambassadors of hope in Eastern Kentucky, we have much to share, but even more to learn. We’re about coming alongside local folks, working with them for empowerment and community development, and sharing the hope of Christ as we go. Won’t you join us in spreading a little “Hope for the Hills?”

Check out opportunities for involvement and giving, and let us know if you want to be a part of this exciting initiative we call “Mountain Hope.”

Grace and peace,

Joshua Speight

Mission

Mountain Hope is a Christ-centered initiative which seeks to offer hope with people in and around three of Kentucky’s poorest counties. This is done by listening to local leaders and others who work among the poor in these areas, building relationships of trust with them, learning about existing resources, and walking alongside them to find solutions. The hope is also for all of us to become more attentive to the needs of the poor in our own communities.

Principles

Christ-centered. We will be positive reflections of Christ, bringing a spirit of hope, grace, and opportunity. We will be biblically-based, focusing on reconciliation – people to God and people to people.

Holistic. Our approach will be comprehensive in nature, selective in execution, and mindful of the feelings of people in the local communities.

Local Participation. We will engage participation that represents the entire community. We will learn the history of the community and value the unique gifts and contributions that those in the community bring to the table. Collective decision-making will be the basis for community resolution and implementation. This will involve public discussion that is free and open to all interested persons and will be designed to lead to citizen empowerment and civic action to enhance quality of life.

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Biblical Basis

We are called to bring a heart of compassion toward those living in poverty. (Deuteronomy 15:7-11, 24:7; Psalms 82:3-4; Proverbs 14: 21,31, 22:9; Isaiah 1:17, 61:1; Ezekiel 18:7; Matthew 25:35-40; Acts 10:1-4; Romans 12:9-13; 2 Corinthians 8:9-15; I Timothy 6:17-19; James 1:27, 2:1-8; I John 3:16-18)

We are called to follow God’s commitment of compassion for those living in poverty. (Deuteronomy 10:8; Psalms 68:5, 107: 9, 146:7; Luke 4: 16-21; Philippians 2:6-7)

We are called to understand that God does not see those who live in wealth are greater than those that live in poverty. (Proverbs 19:1, 22: 2, 28:6; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Matthew 6:19-21, 19:21-26; Luke 1:53)

We are called to learn from those we encounter in poverty. (Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; James 2:1-5)

We are called to serve others in a spirit of humility. (Matthew 6:1-4; Philippians 2:1-4; I Peter 5:5)

Volunteer Handbook