Fran & Mike Graham


Location: Asheville, N.C.
Hometown: Columbus, Ga. and Martin, Ga.

Commissioned: 2005

In 2005, the Grahams started Western North Carolina Slavic Ministries, through which they minister holistically to immigrants relocating from 15 republics of the former Soviet Union . Some come as refugees because of religious persecution and others come to reunite with family.

The Slavic population in Asheville – currently between 8,000-10,000 people – continues to grow.  When new immigrants arrive, most speak very little English and need life’s necessities – housing, furniture, food, clothing and the love of a neighbor.

Fran and her husband, Mike, are employed full-time, so when they started the ministry they formed a task force at their church, First Baptist Church of Asheville, to aid new families as they arrived in the U.S.  They solicit donations of used furniture, household items and organize traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas ministry activities for the families.  More than anything, said Fran, their purpose was to get to know the Slavic people.


Related stories:
• Fellowship partner churches boost Slavic ministry’s reach in western N.C.
• Grahams bring western N.C. Slavic churches together
• CBF affiliates help Slavic immigrants start new life in United States

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 800.352.8741, P.O. Box 450329 Atlanta, GA 31145-0329
Email us: contact@thefellowship.info