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Wendell Belew Ministry Center.  

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Wendell Belew Appalachian Ministry Center

(Pictures are in thumbnail - click on picture for a better view)

 

The Belew Center, as it is most commonly called, is located 12 miles from the Natural Bridge State Park, just off the Mountain Parkway. The center was named after Dr. Wendell Belew who was indeed a pioneer in mountain missions in Eastern Kentucky. He served as one of the first missionaries appointed to the Appalachian region as Mountain Missions Director.

 

A preacher, a writer, a painter, and a man who was consumed with compassion for the people of Appalachia, Dr Belew was also instrumental in getting the American Bible Society to produce a readable translation of the Bible, Today's English Version translation. Dr. Belew later became a vice president of the Home Mission Board before retiring in 1988. Having the center named after Dr. Belew is very fitting because the mission of the center is to reach the people of Appalachia for Christ.

 

The Belew Center started out as a Christian owned and operated Bed and Breakfast named La Casa Amarilla (the Yellow House). It is located on 50 acres in a very secluded, peaceful, and tranquil spot on Furnace Mountain. When the owner could not operate the Bed and Breakfast at a profit, the bank took ownership. In June 2001 Baptist Care Home Inc purchased the Center with ownership eventually passing on to the Mountain Mission Development Corporation.

 

The Center was transformed into a base camp for churches to come and stay while they reached out in to the surrounding counties to do mission work. With four (4) motel-style rooms fitted with bunk beds and a large bedroom upstairs the center could house up to thirty (30) ministry-minded folks. Additionally churches were able to come to Belew and conduct retreats and seminars. The setting was perfect for groups to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and to be able to concentrate on their relationship with God.

 

In 2002 a new phase was initiated at the center. Construction began on a 1,600 square foot multipurpose classroom. This facility enables the Belew Center to train local people in multiple ways. Job training can be offered for computer skills, sewing machine operations, carpentry, electrical, and just about any skills training that is needed will be able to be presented. Life skills training will also be offered, helping people with resume preparation and job interviewing technique training.  The classroom building has a counseling office to make it possible to help folks cope with the everyday difficulties of life.

Please lift up the Center and its directors in constant and fervent prayer. The Center needs to be used by groups! Churches need to come to Belew and spend a few days helping with the classroom or some general maintenance and cleaning. Better yet, come and stay while you connect with one of our local churches or the Red River Baptist Association and minister to the people around us. Perhaps your church could conduct a Deacon and Wives retreat or a Marriage Enrichment Encounter at the Center.

 

Secondly, the Belew Center needs the financial support of your church or association. The regular monthly support would enable the Center to operate without the worry of how the electric bill or the gas bill was going to be paid. The Center exists to help the people of Appalachia come to know about and to understand the love of God and to get them to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As you are helping the Center in these ways, you too are helping these goals become fulfilled.

Prayer Requests

• We need groups to schedule fall and winter stays at the Ministry Center.

• We would like to have an Appalachian artist to come and paint a mural on the side of our barn.

• Groups or individuals are needed to provide for the financial needs of the Center and Directors.

• We need someone with marketing experience to help market the Center.

• We need for the newly finished Training Center to be used by someone.

• We need people with carpentry/building skills to come and (1) repair the barn and (2) erect a small shed-style building to house al of the grounds keeping equipment.

There is a small charge for staying at the Wendell Belew Center.  Click here for the current rates.

 

Bridge built by volunteers

The four men who build the are are from Vertrees Baptist church in Cecilia (Hardin County, Kentucky - Severns Valley Association). From the left, Z.L. (Junior) Lucas, James Williams, Rev. Brad Kerfoot, & Leroy Shultz.

 

Contact Information:
1869 Pilot Road
Stanton, KY 40380

Morris Norfleet, President

Mountain Missions Development Corp.

PO Box 106

Nancy, KY 42544

Phone 859-985-7879 or 606-875-9969
E-mail: familystart@alltel.net