Appalachia mine closures strain ministry centers

Looking down on Lynch, Ky from northern peak of Black Mountain

Ministries in Appalachia are bracing for a tough winter as hundreds of residents have been furloughed or lost their jobs because of cutbacks in coal production amid the nation's changing energy industry.

A single employer, Arch Coal, laid off 750 workers across Appalachia in August. Other companies have been forced to idle employees or close operations.

Added stress on an already economically depressed area has created a sense of urgency among a number of Baptist ministry centers. Read more

How might your church help laid-off coal miners and their families in Appalachia this winter?