Jackson, Miss.—September 19, 2023 On September 1, Sebrena Williamson became the new Together for Hope (TFH) Director of Programs and Partnerships for Appalachia. As a proud product of the community that raised her, Williamson is dedicated to rural advocacy and to Appalachian culture. A true collaborator at heart, Williamson hopes to help create change in … Continue reading
By Jennifer Colosimo Just into the southern border of West Virginia, amidst dilapidated coal mines and forgotten acreage, sits a small farm owned by the Tartt family. Here, T&T Organics employs the farming practices of their ancestors to pull the utmost yield from their land, growing various crops and teaching others how to do the … Continue reading
By Marv Knox Scarlette Jasper came to Appalachia to take care of her family, and that move has blessed thousands of families across more than three decades. “My dad was a contract engineer in Monticello, Ky., and my mom got sick. So, I came from Texas to take care of my brother and sister while … Continue reading
MCDOWELL COUNTY, WV, July 13 – Appalachian Gold, a new food brand featuring shelf-stable products made with ingredients grown on vacated coal-mining lands, will launch on July 17 after the airing of CNN’s new season of United Shades of America. This episode highlights Jason Tartt, farmer and owner of T&T Organics in McDowell County, West … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester CBF field personnel need not travel around the world to feel a world away. Scarlette Jasper, commissioned by CBF in 2014, serves as a rural poverty advocate for the Together for Hope Rural Poverty Initiative in south-central/southeastern Kentucky and portions of East Tennessee. She’s been there for 35 years, so she knows … Continue reading
By Chris Hughes On Friday mornings, volunteers set up six-foot folding tables and chairs in the narthex of a church in the south end of Louisville. The church bears the familiar markings of a post-World War II Baptist church, from the plain stained-glass windows to the wood paneling on the walls and ceiling. But the … Continue reading
The following is a reflection from Cindy Brewer, a member of Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. Being involved in missions in eastern Kentucky through the “Book Buddies” effort of Providence Baptist Church has been a unique opportunity to develop relationships with children and families that are typically not available when mission activities take place … Continue reading
The following is a reflection on education in eastern Kentucky from Paula Settle, an affiliate serving with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship… Today I was at the local elementary school in one of the counties where I serve. I was helping four kindergarten children with their ABC’s. Here it is at the end of the semester … Continue reading
The following is a ministry reflection from Paula Settle, one of CBF’s field personnel in eastern Kentucky. The women in Nada, Kentucky, are making earrings as a part of the Open Hand Enterprises economic development plan of Together for Hope. The ladies call themselves GORGEous Gals because we are one mile from the Red River … Continue reading
CBF affiliate, Paula Settle, serves with Mountain Hope, a ministry that is part of Together for Hope. She shares these thoughts from her ministry….. An important part of being a missionary is telling the story to others about your work. So……last weekend I was in Portsmouth, Va. speaking to a church about global missions and … Continue reading