West Virginia Mission:
In 1986, on our return trip with the young people from Wilmore Kentucky, where we attended the Ichthus Festival at Asbury college. We were traveling down I-79 and running low on gas. At the next exit we pulled off to get fuel for the bus in Gassaway, W.V. It was Sunday and every gas station we passed was closed. A local farmer gave us a couple gallons of gas and some direction to Kenny Hamrick’s filling station in Addison (Webster Springs), West Virginia. On the way to Webster Springs we observed people living in poverty condition that were beyond belief. All that were with us were shocked and saddened by the way these families were forced to live. Several of the teens said, “We should do something to Help!”
Upon reaching Hamrick’s Gas and Auto repair Garage, we filled our gas tank. I also spoke to the owner Kenny about what we witnessed coming in from Gassaway. He proceeded to tell me of how most of the county was out of work since they’d closed the two local coal mines. The Curtin and Cogar timber mills hired some, but most were left without any way to earn money to support their families. This included doing repairs to the houses they lived in. When I asked Mr. Hamrick what could be done to help? He said that I should call Rev. Dave Shaffer from the Upper Glade Presbyterian Church. Pastor Dave was in charge of the Webster County Christian Work Camp, that was trying to assist those most needy in the area. With Pastor Dave Schaffer’s phone number in hand I thanked and said good bye to Mr. Hamrick. Not realizing the our paths would cross many times in future years.
When we arrive back home I called Pastor Dave and explained what we had seen and our desire to help the following year. Over the next 12 months we made arrangement to take the first team to serve with Rev. Dave Schaffer and the Webster County Christian Work Camp in July of 1987. The first team consisted of 8 Adults and 8 young people.
It began with God opening our eyes to this financially depressed area of the Appalachian Mountain community, then opening our hearts to want to help. Since 1987 we have taken a work team to serve every year to present. The only year we didn’t go was 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic had the states closed down. Each year, during the summer, we would take teams of varying sizes, to assist the struggling elderly, sick and handicapped. This ongoing outreach needs your prayers as the Lord continues to use us to tend to the need of the orphans, widows, sick, shut-ins and down cast. Just as Jesus did and call his children to do the same.
In July 2026 we are planning to take our 37th team of missionaries to serve the needy and sick in Webster County, West Virginia. We will be posting the exact dates by March. If you have an interest in be a part of the 2026 Team, contact us through our e/mail [email protected] our write us at RPM Ministries, 231 Vine Street, Delanco, N.J. 08075. We will send you the paperwork and application.
While there we will be repairing roofs & porches and building handicap ramps In addition to other work to improve the living conditions of the sick and elderly. In adition we will be leading worship and sharing from God’s Word at churches in Webster Springs, Curtin, at the Market Mountainplace Mission in Bolair, Bendertown in Hacker Valley and Upper Glade Presbyterian Church. Please be praying for us, that God will be our Protection, our Provision and our Power. Thank You!
“REV UP Your Life With JESUS!”
Contact us at:
R.P.M. Ministries 231 Vine Street Delanco, N.J. 08075 856-461-0963 [email protected] or [email protected]