Who we are.
Refuge International Corporation was established in 2004 as an Alabama Not-for-Profit to support a vision for missions by three members of the Hunter Hills Church of Christ in Prattville, Alabama.
In 2005, Refuge applied for and received IRS approval to operate as a 501(c)(3) corporation. From the beginning, Refuge has worked in partnership with the Hunter Hills Congregation, receiving most of it’s financial support from members there. Since its inception, Refuge has been actively involved in helping ministries. The first project of Refuge, called Refuge House, was a transition house in Deatsville, Alabama for those recovering from addiction. Refuge House operated for about two years. Hurricane Katrina, which brought so much devastation to the Gulf Coast of the United States, was the next major project of Refuge International. In the months following Katrina, Refuge Staff and Officers worked diligently to assist in recovery for Gulf coast residents, assisting with major efforts in Pascagoula and Biloxi, Mississippi, and Slidell, Louisiana.
As efforts in the U.S. continued, mission outreach to Honduras began to take shape, and in 2006, a group from Hunter Hills visited Catacamas, Honduras (in the Department of Olancho) with the result that a church plant was begun in Jutiquile, a small community about 30 minutes outside of Catacamas. That congregation is still supported through Refuge and continues to grow and has since started other works in surrounding barrios. Another ministry that grew out of the outreach to Honduras was the BECA program. BECA is a Spanish word meaning “scholarship” and through the BECA program, supporters provide youngsters the opportunity to attend school. The target beneficiaries of BECAs are children who would not otherwise be able to attend school. With the help of a BECA of $25 per month, children are enabled to continue their education. The BECA project is a continuation of a project started by others, and is funded through the SUSAN CARTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, a fund administered by Refuge. In 2008 Refuge began a new ministry in Catacamas, the MISSION POINT RESOURCE CENTER or MPRC. Details of the MPRC are available throughout our website.
2012 saw the initiation of another ministry to youngsters. Refuge International saw a need for a program that would allow children form Remote Areas of Honduras to continue their education, and the idea for the dormitory project took shape. A facility became available in Catacamas, the project was started and again the name REFUGE HOUSE was chosen for the effort. That project ran for two years, assisting more than twenty young people finish high school. Several of our alumni have gone on to University. Some have finished and are now teaching; one is doing Graduate work in Tiawan; and others serve on our MPRC Committee. Our organization is striving to be a model for an active faith of genuine discipleship. As our minds and hearts are united in common service, there is no doubt that we will begin to affect positive, sustainable, and lasting progress in this world, one small part at a time.
Regardless of how you connected to Refuge, your connection provides the very first of abundant opportunities to serve those who need it most; the care for the most basic of human necessity of love and compassion being delivered to children and their families through spiritual enrichment, food, clothing, and education. Come make a difference in the world with us.
Start with our small group of dedicated people — and never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world… because it’s the only thing that ever has. We hope you’ll join us on the journey.
POINT OF CONTACT: Ron Carter, Director. Text, Call or email: 334-313-0533, 65rcarter@gmail.com, or
Mail Us at: Refuge International P.O. Box 271, Henderson, TN 38340.