July 13, 2011
For Immediate Release

Campbellsville University president Michael Carter and vice president John Chowning were recognized for their roles in founding Kentucky Heartland Outreach Sunday, July 10 at Eubank Baptist Church. From left are: Todd Parish,KHO executive director; Dr. Michael Carter, CU president; the Rev. Shelby Reynolds, pastor of Eubank Baptist Church and Church Relations Council member; the Rev. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president; and the Rev. James Griffith, associate pastor and youth minister of Eubank Baptist Church and 2005 CU alumnus. Eubank Baptist Church has hosted KHO for a number of years. Carter and Chowning spoke at the church.

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — “Kentucky Heartland Outreach's summer is going awesome so far,” Todd Parish, executive director, said. “We are half way through and have witnessed over 65 people accept Christ.”

KHO, which is affiliated with Campbellsville University, is in its 11th year of serving Christ and helping those in need.

Campbellsville University president Michael V. Carter, who founded KHO, said the primary goal of KHO is “to provide Campbellsville University students and others, with an organized program of servant evangelism by engaging them in providing home repairs for lower income families.”

The hope is that while the work of KHO provides physical needs, it may also provide the spiritual needs of those whom they help.

KHO provides services to 13 counties located throughout south central Kentucky: Taylor, Green, Adair, Marion, LaRue, Warren, Allen, Barren, Metcalfe, Hart, Pulaski, Lincoln and Casey counties.

Parish, a 2000 graduate of CU, is the only executive director KHO has had. He said the summer workers have completed about 33 projects so far with about 400 volunteers.

 

Nathan Beck is from First United Methodist Church of Panama. Nate Cassada is the son of Chuck Cassada who works for KHO.

The group will do work in the Somerset/Lincoln County area the weeks of July 11 and 18. They have also worked in Bowling Green and Scottsville/Allen County this summer.

Eubank Baptist Church will be the host for the week of July 11 when 216 volunteers will work making it the biggest summer camp ever, Parish said. Eighteen crews will work during the week; normally there are 12 per week.

James Griffith, associate pastor of Eubank Baptist Church who graduated from Campbellsville University in 2005, said the church is “excited about KHO coming to our church and communities in Pulaski County.

“Our youth have been attending KHO summer camps for eight years. Now we are excited that we have the opportunity to work in our own communities in Pulaski County with other youth groups from across the nation through KHO.”

Griffith said about 50 of his youth and leaders will be attending the camps. He said other churches and community organizations in the area are becoming involved.

“Members of Eubank Baptist are excited about blessing KHO and other churches and youth groups while they are here.

“Our people have been praying for months now for KHO — the campers, home owners and others who will be influenced with the gospel of Christ.”

Griffith said the church members have made several improvements to their church grounds and buildings in preparation for the camps.

“Numerous people from the community have been contacting our church expressing excitement about and interest in the KHO summer camps at our church.”

Greenwood Baptist Church in Bowling Green hosted KHO for their three weeks in June in the Bowling Green area.

Heather Hensley, client advocate with KHO, who is also a 2007 graduate of CU, said, “Both of these men have been extremely helpful in terms of helping us set up camp details and understanding the mission of KHO in their communities.”

She said KHO will be working in the fall with CU students for Repair Affair.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.