July 24, 2015
For Immediate Release
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| Josh Wheatley, left, of Campbellsville, Ky., and Hannah Lamb of Scottsville, Ky., hold steady as Adam Smith, right, of Campbellsville, Ky., nails the final railing to a new wheelchair ramp during the Kentucky Heartland Outreach summer camp. (Campbellsville University Photo by Jordan Antle) |
By Jordan Antle, communications assistant
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University hosted this year’s Kentucky Heartland Outreach summer camp last week, July 12-18. During the camp, middle and high school students from a variety of states came together in Central Kentucky to share the gospel and help those in need.
KHO’s mission is to provide members of the community in South Central Kentucky with adequate home repairs and keep families, who otherwise could not afford it, furnished with good living conditions. From repairing roofs to building wheelchair ramps, KHO covers these constructions while introducing the families served to Christ.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, conceptualized the idea of the KHO ministry more than 15 years ago. Carter reached out to Todd Parish, the first and only executive director of KHO, to help make that dream a reality.
“Dr. Carter wanted to see a physical impact made in the community for the sake of the gospel and a way to share the love of Christ with those in and surrounding Central Kentucky,” Parish said.
The decision didn’t come easy to Parish, but now KHO is its own non-profit organization that has given back to over 10 counties in South Central Kentucky.
“With a lot of prayer, God’s direction and hard work, KHO was formed with a pickup truck, a toolbox and a couple obedient servants,” Parish said. “It’s very close to my heart because I have watched God grow something that builds the kingdom.”
KHO has molded Parish, as well as the volunteers and staff, into servant leaders who work closely with church groups and young people to instill those values in them while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“We always pray when we go into a community that God gives us the ability not just to minister to the physical needs, but the spiritual needs, as well,” he said.
This year’s KHO summer camp consisted of 140 students with three days of repairs at multiple sites in Campbellsville and Greensburg, Ky.
“KHO itself is nothing without the Lord going in and preparing the way for our work in the hearts of the community and volunteers,” Parish said.
For more information on KHO and their ministry, visit http://www.khohome.org.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.