Mission Field is a project of City of Refuge Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation in Rocky Mount. It includes 33 acres on South Winstead Avenue across from Englewood Baptist Church. The church donated the land and welcomes other faith partners, individuals, foundations and non-profits to join us in OUR MISSION of creating a Christ-centered community of caring that ministers to the spiritual, physical, educational, emotional or rehabilitative needs of individuals and families.
Plans for Mission Field include a Family Playground, a Miracle League baseball field, a walking trail, a picnic shelter and an amphitheater. Mission Field will be a family- and faith-focused facility, serving the recreational needs of children of all ages and abilities. We believe that children represent the greatest mission field in our area. Mission Field will be a focal point of family activity in western Rocky Mount.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
The City of Refuge Foundation, Inc. is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. More specifically, the City of Refuge is organized to provide opportunities for individuals, community, and corporate partners to meet the needs of persons who are often overlooked or underserved within our city and surrounding counties.
The City of Refuge is a vision that started with God’s provision and purchase of 33 acres of land on Winstead Avenue in Rocky Mount, North Carolina by the membership of Englewood Baptist Church in 2004. Pastor Emeritus Michael Cloer’s vision for the property was to meet the needs of overlooked and underserved populations.
The property was declared debt free in 2014. The quest for the birth of the Foundation began in September 2018 when the church authorized the formation of a separate foundation to administer the design and development of the City of Refuge. ByLaws were approved, and the first Board of Directors was seated in January 2019.
The Board of Directors is committed to:
- identify the types of ministries that the City of Refuge may offer to glorify God,
- “to create a Christ-centered community of caring that ministers to the spiritual, physical, educational, emotional, or rehabilitative needs of individuals and families.”
- to seek opportunities to work with individuals and community partners who have a desire to provide for the needs of the overlooked and underserved.
The City of Refuge’s first project was to renovate the Johnson Home that was included as part of the original purchase. “The Harvest Home” serves as a home for missionaries who are stateside on furloughs from their countries of service.
The Board has elected to focus on an inclusive park and Miracle League baseball field as the second ministry area for development. Our partner, Englewood Baptist Church, has a history of serving the special needs community in our area. With a dedicated staff person to work with special needs families, EBC provides Sunday morning Bible study for children with special challenges, hosted “Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine” in 2018 and 2019, and pre-COVID hosted “Nights Out” for parents of children with special needs.
The inclusive park will serve “all” children and families but will be intentional in its design. Children with special abilities can participate rather that watch their siblings and friends have fun. Not only will this facility be accessible, but also it will be inclusive.
The Miracle League field is a scaled-down baseball field that has a surface friendly to children or adults dependent on mobility devices. Children who have been excluded from traditional leagues because of a disability or because their skill set does not permit them to compete in other structured programs will be welcomed at the Miracle League of the Tar River Region.
This family-friendly complex will include walking trails and places of relaxation that include persons of all ages and abilities.
Future projects envisioned include a hospice or palliative care facility, a home for unwed mothers, homes for seniors, a transition home for people who are attempting to move back into society, a counseling center, and a school.
The City of Refuge is a God-sized, long-range commitment that will involve many individuals and corporate friends. We invite you to join us to make this vision a reality in our community. Our all-volunteer Board commits to using your tax-deductible gift to accomplish our original vision of serving those who are underserved and overlooked.