ABHMS mission partnership helps Tabernacle Baptist Church nurture and empower Karen youth in Utica

VALLEY FORGE, PA (11/17/2025)—Unita, New York, is home to 50 nationalities and 40 languages. A cultural melting pot, it has been shaped by immigrants and refugees who have settled there. The Karen people, a diverse ethnic group from Southeast Asia, are a significant minority in Utica. They contribute to town revitalization—many set up family businesses—and enrich the community with their presence.

However, they also face many challenges. Over a quarter of Utica’s population lives below the poverty line. Immigrant communities like the Karen may experience financial difficulties due to the language barrier, limited job opportunities, and high housing costs. The lack of financial and emotional security makes children much more vulnerable to peer pressure groups that normalize weapons and violence.

“Our zip code has a 34% poverty rate,” said Rev. Debbie Kelsey, the pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Utica. “Most of the parents in our church work in minimum-wage jobs, but they still qualify for SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program], which has been cut right now.”

The Tabernacle, where 98 percent of the congregation is Karen, proclaims that it is “a community of faith and love—a diverse church that finds its unity in Jesus Christ.” It offers services in both English and Karen, and it is proud of the support and educational programs it runs. The church is uniquely equipped to serve young Karen refugees and their families, making it a perfect mission partner for the American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

ABHMS has awarded Tabernacle a Pierce grant, which has funded some of the church’s programming, including one-on-one tutoring for elementary and middle school kids whose families lack the English-language skills to help their children with schoolwork, and resuming Karen language and culture school on Saturday mornings. The grant covers stipends for young adult tutors and the cost of running safe weekday space for youth at the church.

Youth who attend the programs at the church find a welcoming space where they are not embarrassed about gaps in their English vocabulary. Instead, they have the opportunity to build their language skills. Meanwhile, the young adult mentors and high-school tutors, many of whom are Karen themselves, serve as positive role models. “Learning is becoming cool,” says Rev. Kelsey.

These mission efforts have an important impact in terms of faith formation and discipleship. According to Rev. Kelsey, when mentors are patient and encouraging, youth learn that “God also loves them even when they’re struggling.” This realization also brings hope to the parents, who know that their children are safe and taken care of.

ABHMS partners with congregations like Tabernacle Baptist to transform lives and strengthen communities. To partner with us, give today.

By Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, ABHMS senior writer and associate editor of The Christian Citizen