Check Out Philip Kiecker’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Kiecker.

Hi Philip, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a small Wisconsin town. My father worked at a local high school as a teacher and coach. I loved watching him serve the community and help individual students understand how greatly God valued them.

In high school, when I had an opportunity to go to a small village in Puerto Rico and serve their community, I loved it. We helped a few widows, taught children at an outdoor Vacation Bible school, and built friendships in the neighborhood. My favorite part was watching how God worked through me (and my very broken and mispronounced Spanish) to help a few first graders learn how deeply loved they were by their Savior.

Upon returning from that trip, I decided I’d like to be a pastor when I grow up. After undergraduate studies and the Seminary, I was assigned to pastor a small church in North Raleigh. I got married to my beautiful wife Julianna. We moved, adopted a puppy, and learned how to correctly pronounce Bojangles — all part of acquiescing to the Triangle. I became the pastor at what was then called Gethsemane Church, while my wife became the director of our Early Learning Center.

My wife and I love it here. It’s an amazing community with a global community of people. The beautiful greenways, the variety of food locales, family events, and the enjoyable climate make this community a wonderful place to raise our beautiful six year old daughter.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We are a Lutheran church. In the 1800s most Lutherans immigrated from Europe and settled in the Midwest. Our particular church in North Raleigh was one started by a few midwestern families that had been hired at IBM in the 1970s. I am so thankful for their dedication to serving one another — even gathering for worship in a the living room of one family. (Picture a makeshift altar on the top of one of those old standing, bunny eared TVs.)

When we arrived, we were so thankful for the 50 some regular worshipers that had now acquired a worship space on Newton Road. They were dedicated to learning about their Savior and serving one another with love (usually through some very delicious pot lucks)! They desired to reach the community of North Raleigh, and yet, the reality was we weren’t yet reflecting it’s diversity in our church.

One of our prayers was that God would help us connect with the diverse people of NR community. This would mean finding ways to meet the needs of North Raleigh and incorporating a diverse group of locals into our church family.

The first way we were able to do this was through our Early Learning Center. Originally named Precious Lambs (now: Refuge Early Learning Center). The center was formed about 18 years ago. This was good timing as it hit the growing childcare needs of the triangle. In addition, we offered a very niche approach — full day, Christian care. Our goal was to provide high quality educational experiences in a caring environment.

God blessed us with the people and resources to do this well. It’s been amazing to get to know families, learn their stories, help their children grow, and serve the parents with the love of Jesus. During that time period, many local families also became a part of our church. In 2018 we began construction on a new facility that would expand our care from 3-4 year olds to include infants, toddlers, and twos. Currently, we serve 60 some families and are blessed with a dedicated, loving staff of 25+ teachers.

It is amazing to help children grew up knowing that they are wonderfully thought up, beautifully created, absolutely redeemed and divinely purposed by Jesus. I love hearing them tell others about what Jesus did for them: “That’s a cross! Jesus went on it to take away my sins!” I am honored to guide those adults searching for spiritual help towards a confidence in God’s eternal love for them.

A new opportunity opened up this past year. We had recently built a partnership with Refugee Hope Partners. They do an amazing job serving immigrants to the Triangle. They made us aware of the need for a local church to run a local ESL program in the evenings. This would allow those who were working during the day and unable to attend daytime ESL classes to learn English. Ms. Kathy Ahlers, who had serve for years as a language teacher, is a part of our church community. She was immediately intrigued and passionately led us in opening our own program. Currently, we are on our third semester and we blessed to have three full classes (beginner, intermediate and advanced).

It’s a joy to connect with these people, encourage them, and help them grow in language skills that will serve them well in the United States. But even more so to help them know that though they are far from their native country — they are not far from their God. The same Savior that loved them dearly in their native land is with them here in North Carolina.

In 2023, our church was renamed: Refuge Church. We hope this names speaks to all of our neighbors that we they have a Refuge here. Firstly, in their God; but secondarily, in a loving community that will aim to bring them friendship when they are alone; peace when they are afraid and forgiveness when they are dealing with guilt.

In conjunction with the name change, we were blessed to help start a second site in downtown Durham. God raised up a handful of families from our community that were willing to launch a new mission. He also provided Pastor Doug Lange, a passionate and experienced missionary to lead them. Over the past two years, God has worked through Refuge Durham to serve the community of downtown Durham with the love of Jesus. They are currently located in the Durham Bottling Company and connect with a local nonprofits (like the Durham Rescue Mission) each quarter.

I am very thankful for how God has worked through those dedicated core members and Pastor Doug’s passion for reaching people with Jesus’ love. It is inspiring to me and encourages us back at Refuge NR.

Currently, our NR campus is undergoing a Fellowship hall renovation. The vision is to create an inviting cafe that will allow the NR community to connect with one another. We hope it will be a great place to do work, network, and build friendships. We hope to open in summer of 2025!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My current work week involves a variety of things: greeting ELC families at the door, studying ancient Scriptures, encouraging young adults, helping English learners with verbs, using puppets to lead 4 year olds in worship, visiting seniors who are shut in at home, making coffee for our staff, hosting life group at our home, and worshipping Jesus with our Refuge community.

I love getting to know people, listening, and helping them grasp Jesus, our Savior’s incredible love for them.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
About me? I love Doritos. I have a 200+ Pez dispenser collection. And, thanks to my young daughter, I am well versed in Disney princess songs.

I have a beautiful, talented and very passionate wife, Julianna. She has been an amazing partner in ministry and in life. She has encouraged me, forgiven me, and loved me throughout all the challenges we have faced.

I have a gorgeous, artsy, and funny little girl named Daniela. She loves dance, tap, and singing! She has been a joy in our life, since she entered 4 years ago.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://refugerdu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refugeraleigh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RefugeRaleigh
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RefugeRaleigh