Appalachia suffered incredible cold and unusual amounts of ice mixed with snow during January. Rob Allen, director of the Send Relief ministry center in Ashland, Kentucky, said the severe winter weather increased the challenge of navigating and meeting community needs. It also slowed renovation of their local ministry facility. However, he gives thanks for progress in other areas.

The Ashland ministry center did not have to respond to any major hurricanes in 2025, though smaller, more localized events did require assistance.

Work with local school family resource offices and other agencies to identify families in crisis continues. Rob and his team plan to connect those families with local churches for assistance.

Rob has heard from young men who served with the ministry center on missions teams last summer. He had encouraged them to apply their missions experiences in their communities. They now understand how simple tasks like yard work and cleanup open doors for gospel conversations.

Rob asked for prayer for the following requests:

• Pray for favor with local code enforcement and building inspectors as renovations continue at the Ashland ministry center.
• Pray local government leaders would see the Ashland ministry center as a great partner so opportunities to proclaim Christ to the community would increase.
• Pray God would lead individuals to monthly financial partnership with the work at the Ashland ministry center.

 

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Diana Derringer is a former social worker and adjunct professor in Kentucky who currently serves as caregiver for her husband. Her book, Finding Joy in the Caregiving Journey, coauthored with Tracy Crump, releases in 2027.