Hartford Couple Serving as Mississippi River Ministry Coordinators
10/19/2011
George and Cathy Chinn, Mississippi River Ministry coordinators. Click here to download this photo.
HARTFORD – Kentucky Baptists George and Cathy Chinn of Hartford are serving as regional coordinators for Mississippi River Ministry, a partnership endeavor that seeks to improve the physical and spiritual lives of residents of the 196 counties in eight states along the river.
The Chinns are Mission Service Corps missionaries and longtime missions leaders in Kentucky Baptist life. Collectively the couple has served in more than 30 international missions efforts and countless trips and projects in Kentucky and North America.
Created 20 years ago, the MRM area includes parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Baptist conventions in those states partner with one another, the North American Mission Board and Women’s Missionary Union in support of Mississippi River Ministry.
“There is a great need out there,” George Chinn said. “We find that there is not only a large percent of lostness in poverty, but a lot of lostness in general.”
Many people living within the 196 counties served by MRM have inadequate health care, he said. According to the organization, the area has the highest infant mortality rate in the United States and the lowest ratio of doctors and nurses per 1,000 of the population.
The Chinns say only God alone could qualify them for the task of serving such a large area in great need. They have spent the last several months familiarizing themselves with the large region.
In 2009, more than 10,000 volunteers served through MRM in an array of projects from literacy to home renovation and healthcare. During that year more than 1,000 people accepted Christ as their Savior through these efforts.
“If there is one thing we’ve learned,” Cathy Chinn said, “there are a lot of really committed people out there.”
George Chinn tells of a church that planted a seven-acre garden that distributes food to local ministries. They opened half of the garden to the general public to work so that those affected by poverty have a source for fresh food.
During their travels, the Chinns met a local farmer who refurbishes bicycles to give to children who otherwise might never have one.
“It’s just pretty amazing how God works through some of these people,” Cathy Chinn shared.
As coordinators for MRM, the Chinns hope to get churches and associations more involved in the lives of the people living along the river. They also hope volunteers will help strengthen existing churches in the ministry area, and also start new churches.
For additional information about Mississippi River Ministry, visit the website, www.riverministry.com or e-mail the Chinns at gchinn70@att.net.
The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of nearly 2.400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more. For more, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Savannah Cyree, Woman's Missionary Union
