🎧 Stories of the Hope – Serving Appalachia with Henderson Settlement

Guest: John D. Newman, Executive Director of Henderson Settlement
Host: Benson Gregory
Organization: Mission of Hope

In this episode of Stories of the Hope, we welcome John D. Newman, Executive Director of Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky. Nestled deep in the mountains near the Kentucky–Tennessee border, Henderson Settlement has spent nearly a century providing not just food, clothing, and housing support — but also dignity, education, and the hope of Christ.

John shares the story of Henderson’s beginnings as a church and school in 1925, its evolution into a full-scale ministry meeting physical and spiritual needs, and the unique challenges of serving one of the most isolated regions in Appalachia. You’ll also hear how Mission of Hope steps in to bridge critical gaps — from diapers for newborns to food boxes for families and school supplies for hundreds of children.

• 📍 Remote Ministry Roots – Henderson Settlement was founded to serve families so rural they nicknamed the region “South America” because of its isolation.

• 🏫 From Schoolhouse to Full Ministry – What began as a pastor’s vision for education has grown into programs serving children, youth, and seniors alike.

• 👶 Meeting Everyday Needs – Through its “Moms and Infants” program, Henderson Settlement supports around 70 young children with diapers, baby beds, strollers, and more.

• 🥫 Feeding Families – Each month, the ministry distributes food boxes to more than 450 families and seniors, while providing 150 USDA-supported senior commodity boxes — with many more on the waiting list.

• 🛠 Volunteers at Work – Over 1,200 mission team members travel to Frakes each year, building ramps, repairing homes, and even constructing new houses for families in need.

• 🤝 Mission of Hope’s Role – MOH provides essential supplies, school support, and emergency help — ensuring Henderson Settlement never comes up short in serving the community.

• 🙏 How You Can Help – Food, clothing, school supplies, and financial gifts all make a tangible impact in this rural corner of Appalachia.

• “Food sustainability is a true issue that’s not going away.”

• “Mission of Hope has taken a tremendous burden off of us — filling the gaps when we didn’t have diapers, food, or school supplies.”

• “If you’re here, you’re very young or very mature. And those are exactly the people Mission of Hope helps us serve.”

• Henderson Settlement: www.hendersonsettlement.com | (606) 337-3613

• Mission of Hope: www.missionofhope.org

✝️ Stories of the Hope is a podcast by Mission of Hope, highlighting how God is working through partnerships and volunteers to bring hope to rural Appalachia.

Episode SummaryKey TakeawaysQuotes from John NewmanResources & Links