Red Bird Mission

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Looking for anyone willing to answer the call!

Love Out Loud

You’re invited to begin the journey to Red Bird Mission with us as we travel to Red Bird with a work team to Love Out Loud in the region of the Appalachian Mountains. The story of Red Bird is one of deep faith in God, and was born in answer to prayer. It is a story of gracious outpouring of prayer and means by the church. Today the story continues with people like you who are willing to work alongside the residents of the area and share their story.

On Saturday, October 14th a team from Caledonia UMC will travel to Red Bird for the week. We will have the opportunity to work on a home improvement project or a project on the Red Bird campus. A few of the team members will be spending their time working at the Community Store and we have plans for the youth in the group to spend one day at the Senior Center hosting bingo for them. We would like to ask for donations of small items that can be used as bingo prizes, your donations can be dropped off at the church office.

The cost of the trip is $375.00 per person. Team members are planning on having a garage sale the weekend of western week to help with the cost of their trip. Half of each person’s fee is due by June 11th. If you are interested in joining the team or would like to help with the cost of someone going please contact Sharon Burkart at 269-967-0301.

For those who may be interested in traveling with us, the only skills you need is a heart to serve and a willingness to step out in faith and add your name to the story of Red Bird Mission.

Sincerely in Christ

Mark and Sharon Burkart

A Little About Red Bird Mission

Red Bird Mission and Clinic have been providing ministries in this region of the Appalachian Mountains since 1921. Today the need remains critical in this isolated, rural distressed area. Chronic poverty, lack of jobs, poor housing, and rugged mountainous terrain provide obstacles to a fuller life for the residents of this area. Red Bird Mission and Clinic strives to meet these needs through ministry in five areas: Education, Health and Wellness, Community Outreach, Economic Opportunity, and Community Housing Improvement.

The Education ministries are carried out through a K-12 school and an early childhood development program for 3 and 4 year-old children. These education ministries provide the opportunity for the children and youth of this community to get a quality education in a loving Christian environment empowering these young people with tools that will help them escape this cycle of poverty in which they are exposed to and live in daily.

Health and Wellness ministries are provided through medical and dental clinics providing quality health and dental care in an area that is chronically underserved. In addition to in-Clinic visits, our providers travel to the homes of our patients to provide care to those that are home-bound.

The other three areas of ministries provide a wide variety of services to the residents of this area. Volunteers in mission service come and help with the refurbishment of homes, low-cost clothing and furniture is provided through the community store and local crafter’s wares are marketed to a wide area through the craft marketing ministry. A wide variety of ministries to families, older adults, women and children, and youth make their lives fuller and help them receive the assistance they need to make their lives a bit more livable.

Support for these ministries come from churches and individuals across the nation. Over the years the Mission has enjoyed wide support in The United Methodist Church as well as from other denominations. In recent years we have seen a decline in the support we are receiving. We are currently facing a financial crisis that is making it difficult to continue all the areas of ministries we provide. Without more funding today, we will have to reduce the level of ministry provided to this community. Your donations to Red Bird Mission and Clinic will help us continue these vital ministries in this distressed region of Appalachia.