Who We Are
At Refuge Church, we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes everything.
We are a new church plant in Centralia, Missouri—formed from prayer, grounded in grace, and built to be a refuge for the weary and a training ground for Gospel living.
We’re here for:
The hurting, who are seeking healing and hope.
The curious, who want to ask honest questions and explore faith.
The believer, who desires deeper discipleship and purpose.
Refuge isn’t just our name - it’s our heart. We exist to be a Gospel-centered community where real people can encounter real hope in Jesus.
Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for years, or you’re just starting to ask spiritual questions, there’s space for you here. No perfect people—just people trusting a perfect Savior.
Our prayer is that Refuge Church would be known for:
A love for Jesus and His Word
A deep commitment to each other
And a visible impact in our neighborhoods, homes, and city
We’re not just building a church. We’re becoming a people who live the Gospel together — week by week, house by house, step by step.
Our Pastor
Refuge Church didn’t begin with a strategy. It began with a burden.
A burden to see people come to know Jesus—not just by attending a service, but by being part of a community where the Gospel is lived out with grace, truth, and love.
My name is Jerry Patton, and I’m the pastor of Refuge Church. I’m a husband, a dad, and a man changed by the grace of Jesus Christ.
God began stirring the idea for this church in my heart long before there was a name. For a season, I thought it might be called Kingdom Life. But over time, God made it clear that this wasn’t just about life in His Kingdom — it was about being a refuge for people longing to find rest in Him.
That’s what this church is about.
Not perfection. Not performance. But people meeting Jesus — and being transformed by Him. My passion is to help others grow into disciples who know Christ deeply and live like He’s worth everything — because He is.
If you’re reading this and wondering if there’s space for you here — the answer is yes.
Whether you’re just starting out in faith, coming back to it, or ready to go deeper — we’d love to walk with you.
And if you’re local, let’s grab coffee sometime. I’d love to hear your story, too.
— Jerry
Some Of Our Other Team Members
Adam “AJ” Griggs
Youth Director