Together for Hope Appalachia is happy to partner with Faith Baptist Church, Georgetown, Kentucky. On Sunday, October 17, TFH Appalachia Regional Vice President, Keith Stillwell, joined Faith Baptist for worship which included a Partnership Covenant with Together for Hope and Faith Baptist. After some words from Keith, he and the pastor, William Riley, signed a partnership covenant, and exchanged gifts to commemorate the partnership. Together for Hope Appalachia was presented with a coffee mug, with the church’s logo, and a towel, with the church’s logo, as a symbol of TFH and the Faith Baptist’s mutual service in Appalachia. The church was presented with a candle and candle holder, made by Appalachian artisan, Kirk Banks with the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman, KY, and for the children’s ministry, the book, A is for Appalachia: The Alphabet Book of Appalachian Heritage, received by Amanda Langlands, associate pastor of children and education. Sharon Felton, associate pastor of students, led a “Prayer for Partnership.”

Faith Baptist has been deeply involved with Together for Hope in multiple ways since Together for Hope was launched 20 years ago. They have participated annually in Extreme Build, which has resulted in the construction of 16 new homes in 17 years. They are an Encourager Church for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel, Scarlette Jasper, who serves with Together for Hope Appalachia in South Eastern Kentucky and parts of Tennessee. Faith Baptist recently sent a team to work on flood clean up and home renovation, through the Emma Quire Mission Center in Owsley County and have engaged with Together for Hope in a number of other ways. Faith Baptist prays regularly for Together for Hope and educates children, youth and adults about the work.

Worship included the beautiful hymn, “For the Beauty of Meadows” with instrumental accompaniment. The lyrics brought to mind the beauty of Appalachia and of many of the rural spaces where TFH serves: “For beauty of meadows, for grandeur of trees, for flowers of woodlands,” and,

Teach us once again to be gardeners in peace;
all nature around us is ours but on lease;
your name we would hallow in all that we do,
fulfilling our calling, creating with you.

Words © 1971 Walter Farquharson (admin. Hope Publishing Company, 380 S Main Pl, Carol Stream, IL 60188)