"...direct aid to identified people who are so grateful and become a part of our community."
- Mary Davis, FPC member.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. is the refugee resettlement office in the state of Kentucky for two national church-based programs: The Episcopal Migration Ministries and Church World Service. Kentucky Refugee Ministries is authorized by the U.S. Dept. of State to assist refugees who have been legally admitted to the United States, as victims of warfare or other forms of persecution because of their religious or political beliefs.
For the past several years, the community of First Presbyterian Church has worked in partnership with the Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Through this relationship, First Presbyterian Church has had the privilege to help support refugee families from Kosovo, Cuba and Burundi as they make the difficult transition into their new communities here in Lexington. Typically, First Church develops a team to help greet the families, guide them through the initial tasks of making a home and walking with the families toward self-sufficiency and integration into this new culture.
In 2008, as First Church welcomed the Alfani family from Burundi, the family responded by sharing their own story with the congregation. Since their arrival, members of this congregation have walked with them to know this culture and a God who continues to welcome them home.
To read more about this most recent relationship, click here.
To learn more about the work of Kentucky Refugee Ministries, click here.
