Steve and Annette

Ministers for Refugees from Burma

CBF Global Missions field personnel since 2006, Steve Clark and Annette Ellard serve as ministers for refugees from Burma in Louisville, Kentucky. Steve and Annette welcome the Karen, Chin, Karenni and others from Burma while encouraging others to build relationships with these refugees and partner in ministries to meet their spiritual and physical needs.

A Ministry of Availability

Theirs is a hands-on ministry of availability, sharing the love of God through pastoral care, social work, crisis management, advocacy and consulting to refugees from Burma and those who seek to serve them. Steve and Annette strive to be the presence of Christ by making themselves available in the greatest celebrations and most trying struggles of refugees’ lives—leading in prayers and preaching when folks gather to worship God in thanks for a birthday, new house or healing from sickness, and offering comfort in times of medical emergency, family crises or community tragedy.

And, Steve and Annette bring the message of Christ to refugees who are not Christians by helping in times of need and by sharing the Gospel with every opportunity God provides. By loving mercifully and advocating for justice in all areas of refugees’s lives, Steve and Annette hope that all might live the full life that Christ promises in John 10:10.

Location, Location, Location

For those who struggle with English, unfamiliar social systems and cultural differences, small problems often become big problems. Through the Hope Rising Ministry Center, Steve and Annette, together with volunteers, seek to address problems before they become crises.

Having a ministry center in the community where most refugees from Burma live has been a dream of Steve and Annette for several years. Now, with the Hope Rising Ministry Center, they are able to offer easy access to help with a wide variety of tasks.

Since launching in June 2017, the center has been open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm, assisting families and individuals with such things as filling important documents, scheduling appointments, connecting folks to critical resources, reading mail, contacting government and other agencies, and offering prayer and encouragement.

You Can Help

Eight people volunteering three hours once a month would provide a helper each day the center is open. You can help! No prior experience necessary. Training provided.

Call Steve at (502) 435-7670 or Annette at (502) 500-1172, or emailsteve.annette@yahoo.com to volunteer at the Hope Rising Ministry Center.

Prayer Requests

· Pray for the Hope Rising Ministry Center, volunteers and all those who come for help.

· Pray for strength for those who have lost hope.

· Pray for the expansion of ministry among peoples from Burma.

· And pray for Steve and Annette, that God will give them courage, energy and patience to be the presence of Christ every day.