and its Pastor, Arnold Martin.

Pastor Arnold Martin graduated from Evarts High School in 1966, attended Eastern Kentucky University and taught at Harlan High School for three years before going to Jericho Mining Co. where he worked as office manager for ten years. In 1983, meetings were held in his apartment with his wife Vickie, his mother Ada, and Jonathan Grills’ family.

THE PROPERTY: If a new church was to be established, God would have to be in the effort; therefore, the new church was called "Immanuel" which means, "God with us." A search for property resulted in one third of an acre of land located on Sookie Ridge. A two story brick building was constructed by September 1984 when the first meeting was held in the basement with 15 people attending. In a few years, there were 200 people attending.

Because of crowded conditions, a search was started for more property in the fall of 1987. In April of 1988, an agreement was made with J.A.D. Coal Company to purchase our current property or 84 acres located in Upper Elcomb on highway 72 in Catron's Valley. In August of 1988, the church property on Sookie Ridge was sold to Gary and Rita Townsend for $200,000.00. This was enough to pay our debt and give a good start on the new facility which included two 6,000 square foot buildings. After a couple of years, a large shelter house was built on the soft ball field. In the spring of 2001, a third building was constructed. It is a 4800 square foot building which will be a multi-purpose building. The main function will be for the an adult class, dining hall, and teen center.  God has truly blessed us richly!  You can see a Real Player video showing the progress of our construction from the building of the auditorium in 1988, to the culvert, to our present project of our new parking lot.  You can access the video by clicking here.

THE MINISTRIES: For the last 18 years, the pastor has had the article, “From a Pastor’s Heart” in the Harlan Daily Enterprise which has been designed to be a blessing to every one regardless of denomination. We have a bus ministry which brings people from different areas of our county to church. In the spring of 2001, a new television ministry was added. The “Word To You” is a 30 minute television program on “The Living Faith Television” network. It can be seen on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m.  This "Word to You" website is the newest addition to the ministries of Immanuel Church.

THE MISSIONS: The biggest part of our budget goes to home missions. We want to reach the people of Harlan County with the gospel. We try to reach our own people with the article, the buses, the TV, and personal church visitation. We also believe in supporting foreign missionaries.  And in response to God's command to go out into all the world, the Word to You website was born.

THE METHODS: There are certain methods we believe God will bless in building a church:
1. We PRAY that God send more labors into this harvest area. We can use more workers!
2. We GIVE out literature: this includes articles, pamphlets, and tracts.
3. We PREACH the word of God in a non compromising manner four times each week.
4. We VISIT. We have church wide and personal visitation.

Our desire is to administer the Word of God to our area and to the world. Psalm 138:2 says, "For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." If you do not have a church home and would be interested in knowing more about how you could serve the Lord at Immanuel, please call us at (606) 573-6839.

Email us at immanuelchurch@bellsouth.net or leave a message on our Guest Book Forum.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Evening 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: Youth Group 6:00 p.m.

Watch “The Word to You” on Living Faith Television: Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Read: “From A Pastor’s Heart” in The “Harlan Daily Enterprise”

Directions on how to reach Immanuel in Harlan County (in southeastern Kentucky) :

Coming from Harlan north on hwy 421, make a right off hwy 421 on to hwy 72 at Dressen. Travel 1.8 miles to Hwy 2427 at Teetersville; make a right turn. Follow 2427 to the concrete bridge. Cross the bridge and railroad tracks and you are there!