Appalachian Coalfields

Baptists on Mission (BOM) has developed the Appalachian Coalfields Ministry in order to minister both physically and spiritually to people in some of the poorest areas of our nation.

Overview

Teams serve in the states of West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. We partner with both local churches and ministry centers throughout the region. Projects may include week-long service in children’s ministry, sports clinics, music, and construction, to name a few. Mission opportunities may also include the collection, delivery, and distribution of items such as food, school supplies, clothing, etc., which can be done in the course of a few days or over a weekend. Whether a week-long mission trip, a weekend of service, or participation in the Appalachian Christmas Outreach, there is a place for you and your church to serve in Appalachia!

Appalachian Christmas Outreach

One of the greatest ministry needs in the Appalachian area occurs around Christmastime. Each year, Baptists on Mission calls on churches statewide to respond to this need through Appalachian Christmas Outreach.

Our final count for 2025 was 24,774 backpacks! All praise to our Lord! Thank you to each person who had a hand in making this happen. This is an effort that unites North Carolina Baptist churches, associations, and individuals from the mountains to the coast! Each backpack represents a child, and family, who has seen the love of Christ shared in a tangible way. Join us in praying that each child who receives a backpack through this ministry will – at some point in their lives – pray to receive Christ as their Savior!

Our goal for 2026 is to collect 26,000 backpacks of items to be distributed to Appalachian children in areas of need. The statewide collection day will be Saturday, November 7. Over thirty-five collection sites will be set up across the state for churches to bring their backpacks. Help us reach our goal!

Learn More

2027 Appalachian Requests

A current list of Appalachian Partnership projects for 2026 is available for your prayerful consideration! See instructions below, and, check back often as projects are added as we receive them!

Start by viewing a current list of 2027 Appalachian projects. Note: Projects listed at the bottom of this page are for those who already have secured a project and are registering their team.
Once you have reviewed the list, pray about which project(s) you might want to respond to.
Contact Mark Abernathy (mabernathy@ncbaptist.org or 919-459-5607) to express interest and get contact information.
You will be put in direct contact with a requestor in the Appalachian area to ask any and all questions.
If you and the requestor feel it is a good match, set a date with them for your team’s service, and let Mark Abernathy know.
You will be sent instructions for securing the project (from the .pdf list below) on behalf of your team by registering as team leader.

View Current Projects