Serving Christ by serving people in need.

Re:Center is an organization dedicated to the Christian belief that we have a duty to help those in need. In our case, we rely on the gospel to help prevent homelessness, provide relief to the homeless, and rehabilitate the homeless population by repairing their relationship with Christ.

  • Our Mission

    We reconcile homeless and hurting people to God, family, and community by the power of Christ in partnership with the local church.

  • Our Beliefs

    We are committed to and guided by the whole counsel of God as revealed in the Bible. Additionally, our people and our programs adhere to the basic tenants of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

 

WayFM Ministry Spotlight 2022

 

 

Listen to our interview with Steve Green to hear how God is at work at Re:Center!

Aired: April 24th, 2022.

No organization lasts this long by being ineffective.

Founded by Steve P. Holcombe, a converted riverboat gambler and double-murderer, Re:Center began in a small room near City Hall where free meals and biblical teaching and counseling were offered to homeless and hurting people in our city. From the very beginning, we have been devoted to breaking the chains of homelessness and other life-dominating issues through the power of the gospel.

<<<Click the blue ARROW below to scroll our full history timeline >>>

  • 1881

    Steve P. Holcombe founds The Holcombe Mission. Each day, people come to the ministry for a meal and to hear Holcombe teach from the Bible.

  • 1885

    The ministry is gifted an old mansion from the City of Louisville. The ministry relocates and expands its services to provide overnight care for men, women, and children.

  • 1886

    The Holcombe Mission becomes Union Gospel Mission.

  • 1943

    The ministry almost goes bankrupt. The Louisville Regional Baptist Association (then the Long Run Baptist Association) intervenes to protect the ministry from closing.

  • 1944

    Union Gospel Mission becomes Central Baptist Mission.

  • 1964

    Central Baptist Mission is renamed Jefferson Street Baptist Center after it merges with two church congregations and relocates to its current location at 733 East Jefferson Street. The ministry shifts from providing overnight care to focusing on daytime programs, including kids’ camps, senior activities, and a soup kitchen.

  • 1996

    The church congregation moves out of the facility at 733 East Jefferson Street. The ministry returns to being a parachurch organization that focuses exclusively on caring for people who are homeless and hurting.

  • 1997

    The Louisville Regional Baptist Association (then the Long Run Baptist Association) votes to reestablish Jefferson Street Baptist Center as an independent 501c3. Jefferson Street Baptist Center establishes its own board of directors and bylaws but the Association continues to play a crucial role in ministry operations.

  • 2000

    The sanctuary and classrooms are converted into 25 simple, overnight living quarters for men.

  • 2001

    In partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the ministry expands its facility to create 11 on-site apartments for men with a history of addiction and a diagnosed mental illness or other disability.

  • 2009

    The ministry severs ties with approximately $90,000 in government funding - approximately 19% of its budget at the time - to reclaim its commitment to proclaiming the gospel through its programs.

  • 2012

    Although the ministry experiences its most difficult financial season in 70 years, the year concludes with the ministry doubling its previous fundraising record. For the first time in its history, the ministry raises more than $1 million to care for people who are homeless and hurting.

  • 2013

    The ministry joins Citygate Network (then the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions), a collective of 300+ gospel-centered organizations serving the homeless in North America. The ministry breaks ground on a $175,000 renovation to its Drop-In Program facilities and the residential LifeChange Program serves more people than ever.

  • 2014

    In September, Jefferson Street Baptist Center becomes Louisville Rescue Mission. The freshly re-branded LRM receives an anonymous donation to both support its existing ministry and to explore new initiatives in the Southern Indiana community.

  • 2015

    The board of directors establishes The Holcombe Mercy Ministry Award to honor an individual or company each year who has made a substantial impact on the ministry.

  • 2016

    The ministry earns the highly-coveted accreditation with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

  • 2017

    In March, the ministry opens Thrift 'n' Thrive, its first social enterprise. The thrift store serves as a workforce development site for residents in the LifeChange: Recovery program.

  • 2018

    In September, Louisville Rescue Mission changes its name to Re:Center Ministries to position itself as a regional ministry serving both the Louisville and Southern Indiana communities. The ministry is strong and earns accreditation with the Better Business Bureau.

  • 2019

    As an effect of funding challenges, the ministry consolidates its assets to preserve its core mission while still being able to serve both the Louisville and Southern Indiana communities.

  • 2020

    Re:Center Ministries continues serving clients and residents amid Covid-19! According to CDC regulations, staff took client temperatures, provided access to quarantine housing for affected residents, limited volunteers, wore masks, cleaned and disinfected our facility daily, etc. God's provision and grace was evident as the ministry sought to safely and faithfully serve those experiencing homelessness and addictions.

  • 2021

    Re:Center continued to follow all CDC regulations and precautions due to Covid-19. Near the end of this year, it became safe for volunteers to resume serving clients alongside ministry staff.

  • 2022

    After nearly six decades of operating out of the same building on Jefferson street, Re:Center decides to move out of the growing NULU neighborhood. The ministry finalized the sale of the current location and officially a purchased the historic Unity building, allowing for closer proximity to the population it serves.

  • 2023

    Re:Center Ministries moves forward with renovations to the new location. Re:Center Farm & Garden is established as an additional form of work therapy for the men in the LifeChange: Recovery program.

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Re:Center Staff Directory

Board of Directors

Re:Center’s board of directors is a diverse group of highly qualified Christian professionals. They offer governance, guidance, accountability, and support— selflessly volunteering their time and talent to help fight homelessness in Louisville and Southern Indiana.

  • Officers

    • President | John Ketenbrink | LMH Architecture | Graceland Baptist Church (New Albany, IN)
    • Vice President| Ken Vickery | Bethany Baptist Church| Bethany Baptist Church (Louisville, KY)
    • Treasurer | Kyle Noltemeyer | Noltemeyer Capital | Sojourn Community Church (Louisville, KY)

  • At-Large Members

     

    • Dr. Chelsey Franz | Campbellsville University | Northeast Christian Church
    • Ben Hussung | Southern Baptist Theological Seminary | Clifton Baptist Church
    • Stephen Iden | Auburndale Baptist Church
    • Justin Irving | Southern Baptist Theological Seminary | Sojourn Midtown
    • Doug Pope | Pope Consultant Services| First Baptist Church of Fairdale
    • Melony Pope | Pope Consultant Services | First Baptist Church of Fairdale
    • Dr. Stephen Smith |  Portland Memorial Baptist Church | Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church
    • Ben White | American Commercial Barge Line | Southeast Christian Church

Form 990

Most tax-exempt organizations must file a Form 990 with the IRS each year. This form allows the IRS and members of the general public to evaluate our operations. It includes information about our mission, programs, and finances.

Click here to view our most recent Form 990.

Annual Report & Better Business Bureau Report

Click here to view our most recent annual report.

Re:Center’s fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. Figures in these financial reports represent the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2023.

Click here to view our BBB report/accreditation