BIG CREEK | Brittney

Have you ever thought about going on a mission trip but worry about leaving your family behind? No need to worry any longer, take them to Big Creek Missions in Kentucky!

I have always been interested in mission trips but was never able to go on one. Then I had children and I figured that was it, God doesn’t really want me to go on a mission trip. Boy, was I wrong! 

After attending MPS for a few months my husband, Joshua, and I heard about the Big Creek Missions trip and I was encouraged by my husband to go. He said that he and my parents would take care of the kids for the 5 days I would be away. This first trip was in the fall of 2024. I absolutely fell in love with Big Creek: the people that work there, the fellowship of the church, the opportunities to go out into the community to help others, the local church, and the food pantries. There are so many ways to serve and sometimes it doesn’t feel like you are actually serving others. On this trip, I met several families from a church in Alabama that had their young children with them. It brought me so much joy and hope to think that I could bring my children with me to Big Creek. After I returned home, I told my husband that the next trip we were both going and we were taking the kids. He wasn’t sure what to say at first. He had wanted to go and serve as well and like me, didn’t think we would could go at the same time. 

In April 2025, with the Lord’s help, we headed out with our 2-year-old son, Noah, and our 3-year-old daughter, Irene. We were so warmly welcomed by not only our church family but also by the Big Creek staff and the other groups that we encountered. Joshua set out with the construction crew to help people at their homes, and the kids and I helped at the Mission headquarters, set out for a clothing store that needed help, and visited a nursing home. It looked very different than my first trip but was still very rewarding. At this point in time, our kids didn’t really understand what we were doing, but I wanted to show them what it meant to serve others for the Lord. 

Going back in April 2026 was a no-brainer for us, especially since Joshua and his friend were planning to work on the Big Creek roof for Kevin, the director, but financially we weren’t sure how we were going to swing it. God ALWAYS provides though. Thankfully with generous donations from our church family, God paved the way for us to return. Joshua and several others spent their week up on the roof getting it done for Kevin, while the kids and I visited the Big Creek Food Pantry and another food pantry in a different town. I was skeptical about doing the same job two days in a row while we were there, but I am so happy that’s what we did. I believe that my kids got the most out of their trip while we were there. Even though they don’t fully understand what it means to serve others, it is amazing to see the joy that they can bring to others while we are all serving together. I want my children to have a heart for serving the Lord by serving others, and this has been an amazing opportunity for them to do that. 

After returning this year, our little Irene, who is now 4, continues to ask about going to the food pantry to help. Even today as I was writing this blog, she asked what I was doing and I told her I was writing a blog entry about Big Creek. She got the biggest smile on her face and she said, “Can we go today? Can we go tomorrow?” It makes my heart so happy to see and hear these things. I am so grateful to the Lord for these trips, and we can’t wait to go back.

If you are considering going on a trip to Big Creek and taking your family, but you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me. I would be happy to sit down and tell you a little bit more about our experiences and answer your any questions you might have. 

God Bless You.

Brittney Canter, Big Creek Spring 2026