Spiritual Impact
Plant deep roots of faith across every generation.
We combine worship, community outreach, public health innovation, and research to help individuals, families, and neighborhoods flourish.
At First United Refuge Church, we believe the Church is called to do more than hold worship services. The Church is called to transform lives, strengthen families, heal communities, and bring hope where hope has been lost.
Located in the heart of Elmira, New York, we are building a new model of ministry that combines spiritual formation, community service, public health innovation, research, education, and neighborhood transformation.
We envision a future where churches once again become anchors of community life, places where faith inspires action, neighbors support one another, and communities work together to solve their most pressing challenges.
Whether you are seeking God, searching for community, looking for opportunities to serve, or interested in improving the future of Elmira, you belong here.
Welcome Home.
As our ministry grows, we are committed to measuring impact and accountability.
Our Long-Term Community Goals
Elmira is more than a city.
It is a community with extraordinary potential.
For generations, Elmira served as a center of innovation, manufacturing, transportation, education, and culture. Yet today, like many communities across America, Elmira faces serious challenges:
We believe these challenges are not permanent.
We believe communities can heal.
We believe neighborhoods can be revitalized.
We believe faith communities have a vital role to play in rebuilding hope.
Inspiring worship experiences centered on biblical teaching, prayer, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Intercessory prayer, healing prayer, and spiritual support for individuals and families.
Supporting individuals experiencing hardship through practical assistance and referrals.
Programs that strengthen marriages, parenting, and family relationships.
Developing future leaders grounded in faith, service, and purpose.
Reducing isolation while promoting healthy aging and social engagement.
Promoting mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Mobilizing volunteers to serve the community through meaningful acts of compassion and service.
Our mission is to glorify God by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ while serving as a refuge of faith, healing, hope, and opportunity for individuals, families, and communities.
We accomplish this through:
Connection is Medicine.
A decade of disciplined, faith rooted work to reshape outcomes across seven dimensions of community life.
Plant deep roots of faith across every generation.
Mobilize thousands of volunteers serving across schools and families.
Close gaps in chronic disease, mental health, and prevention.
Translate findings into programs that change outcomes on the ground.
Pathways from shelter to stable housing with care coordination.
Skills, mentorship, and dignified work that pays a living wage.
A national model of integrated faith, health, and transformation.
Every initiative is designed for measurement, accountability, and lasting community benefit.
We believe faith should inspire action.
We believe communities can heal.
We believe research should improve lives.
We believe churches can transform neighborhoods.
We believe every person has dignity and value.
We believe Elmira's best days are ahead.
And we believe God is calling us to help build that future.
Welcome to First United Refuge Church.
A Place of Worship. A Refuge of Hope. A Center for Community Transformation.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our ministry. Opportunities include: Food distribution, Community outreach, Event support, Youth mentoring, Neighborhood improvement projects, Community wellness initiatives, Research and community assessment projects