NRPC began with a small group of core families who had been led to Neon to work with a local housing ministry. Their desire was to address the spiritual and physical problems among the people of Letcher County by providing housing in the name of Christ. After years of working for low-income families, it became clear to the core group that providing material help alone wasn't getting to the root of the problem. Thanks to the work of the housing ministry, some people had better homes. There were even cases where the new homes inspired people to begin working and taking interest in their property. However, their spiritual condition went largely unchanged. If anything, they seemed even more indifferent to the gospel. In many cases, addressing the physical needs only seemed to aggravate the spiritual problems. People receiving help were generally more comfortable and less interested in hearing of their spiritual condition. Their children were growing up with the same sin patterns as their parents. Examples of lives changed by the gospel were scarce, almost nonexistent.

Personal evangelism was always a vital concern for the core group. But as they began to grow in their understanding of true ministry, they realized a need for a more Biblically faithful solution. They learned that material needs are best addressed in connection with the local church. Meeting physical needs was important. But the real solution needed to address the human heart, a heart that is sinful and separated from God. All other help should serve the real solution, not usurp it.

Many denominations around the country provided aid for this area. To our knowledge no one has ever planted a Reformed church here. The core families themselves were attending Reformed churches as far away as two hours away. They began to pray that God would raise up a new conservative, Reformed Church in Letcher County.

Eventually the group made contact with Providence Presbyterian Church in Chilhowie, Virginia, and began discussing the possibility of a church plant. Regional home missionary Jim Heemstra led the first service in April 2000. In June, they began regular worship services. That summer John Belden served as an intern, exhorting and leading worship under supervision of Providence OPC. In September, 2000, after considering the summer, the session of Providence decided to continue worship services. In the following months, the pulpit was filled with pastors and elders from distant Reformed Churches. On October 21, 2000, the Presbytery of the Southeast officially recognized CRPC as a mission work of the OPC. In September 2001, John Belden returned with his wife Sara as a year-long intern and was licensed to preach on October 18, 2001. John was ordained to the ministry and installed as the associate pastor to Providence OPC with special duties in Neon on August 6, 2004.