Who we are
Who we are
FirstLove Refuge: Where Hearts Come Home:
Our Heart:
God has given us the most incredible gift of a loving relationship with Him through Jesus Christ! FirstLove Refuge exists to help you discover, experience, and share this amazing love that changes everything!
What We're About: Three Beautiful Truths
1. The Joy of Knowing God (Mark 12:30, Matthew 6:33)
There's nothing more exciting than truly knowing God! When you encounter His presence, everything lights up. Here you'll discover:
- Worship that fills your heart with joy
- God's Word that speaks life and truth into your days (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Prayer that connects you to the Creator of the universe (James 4:8)
- A relationship with God that satisfies your deepest longings
2. The Gift of Loving Others (Mark 12:31, John 13:35)
Jesus showed us that love is the greatest adventure! When we love like He loves, we get to:
- Share God's goodness with our neighbors (Matthew 25:40)
- Build friendships that reflect Heaven's diversity and beauty (Galatians 3:28)
- See others through Heaven's eyes (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Make a real difference in people's lives (James 2:15-16)
- Be part of something bigger than ourselves
3. The Application of
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" - 1 John 3:1 NIV
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." - Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
God created you on purpose, for a purpose, and He wants you thriving in every area:
- Your Spirit: Experience the richness of God's Word and the power of His presence (1 Peter 2:2, Ephesians 6:18)
- Your Mind: Grow in wisdom and discover the incredible potential God placed in you (Proverbs 1:5, 2 Peter 3:18)
- Your Service: Show God's love in action by serving others and our community, using your hands and heart to make His love real (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 5:13)
What This Looks Like in Real Life:
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14 NKJV
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 NKJV
We will be known as the church where:
- Love is tangible (Psalm 46:1)
- Faith is alive (Revelation 2:5)
- Hope is real (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- God's goodness is on display (Isaiah 61:1-3)
- Leaders are raised up to share this gift with others (2 Timothy 2:2)
Our Promise:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23 NIV
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 NIV
Everything we do flows from one magnificent truth: God loves you completely, and He invites you into the adventure of loving Him back and sharing that love with the world.
This isn't about obligation or duty - it's about discovering the most fulfilling life possible: a life centered on Christ's amazing love.
Because God didn't just give us rules to follow - He gave us His Son. And in Him, we find everything we've been searching for.
Come experience this gift with us.
Our Leaders
Leander "Lee" Kinchen - Servant Leader & Founder
A Heart for God's People
Meet Lee Kinchen husband, father, entrepreneur, and most importantly, a servant leader with an extraordinary heart for God's people. For over 22 years, Lee has been passionate about one simple truth: helping ordinary people experience God's extraordinary love.
The Journey of Faith
Lee's ministry journey began over two decades ago, and in 2013, he was licensed as a minister. His educational foundation includes studying religion at Liberty University, and he's currently pursuing an Interdisciplinary degree from Elizabeth City State University—always growing, always learning, always preparing to serve God's people better.
His ministry experience runs deep and wide. Lee has served as Director of Congregational Care at The Mount at Suffolk, where he learned the art of shepherding hearts. He also served as Worship and Arts Director at the same church, discovering how music and worship can transform lives. His leadership extends beyond the local church—he served as an Elder on the presbytery board for Grace Christian Ministries of Maryland, helping to guide and support the congregation.
Called to Build Bridges
In 2014, God stirred something powerful in Lee's heart. He founded FirstLove Music Group, an outreach ministry designed to reach communities through the perfect blend of Gospel preaching and music performances. The mission was clear: educate listeners about their need for a relationship with God through Christ, meeting people where they are and showing them, who God really is.
But God wasn't finished with Lee's story.
The Divine Vision
As the years passed, God began revealing Lee's true calling as a teacher and shepherd. Then came the dream that changed everything a divine vision where God showed him the need for a safe place. A place where people who had been hurt, disregarded, or even traumatized by poor examples of Christianity could find healing. A place where they could return to their First Love and experience God in a completely new way.
In that dream, God called it "the Refuge" a place where "the righteous run in and they are safe." From that moment, FirstLove Refuge was born, not just as a church, but as a sanctuary for hearts seeking to rediscover the love of God.
Beyond Ministry
Lee brings a unique perspective to ministry as a successful entrepreneur. In 2019, he and his wife of over 27 years Stephanie, founded Kinchen Professional Services LLC, a thriving IT consulting business. This entrepreneurial spirit helps him understand the challenges everyday people face and brings practical wisdom to his pastoral care.
When he's not shepherding souls or running his business, you'll find Lee doing what he loves most spending time with his family. He's married to his wife Stephanie for over 27 years, and together they've raised three wonderful daughters who make them incredibly proud. Lee is also an avid traveler, a passionate gamer, and a novice golfer who's still working on his swing!
A Regular Guy with an Extraordinary Mission
What makes Lee special isn't his credentials or accomplishments it's his heart. He's just a regular guy who wants to shine the light on Jesus Christ. He believes that God's love isn't complicated or exclusive; it's available to everyone, and it's his joy to help people discover that truth.
Lee's passion is simple but profound: helping ordinary people experience and understand God's extraordinary love for us all. Whether he's teaching from the pulpit, counseling someone through a difficult season, or simply sharing a meal with a friend, Lee embodies the heart of FirstLove Refuge—where love comes first, and everyone finds a safe place to encounter God.
The Heart of a Servant Leader
As the Founder of FirstLove Refuge, Lee doesn't just preach about love he lives it. His 24 years of ministry experience, combined with his entrepreneurial wisdom and genuine love for people, make him the perfect leader for a church dedicated to being a refuge for all who seek God's love.
Lee's story is still being written, and he invites you to be part of it. Whether you're seeking to return to your first love for God, looking for a community that truly cares, or simply want to experience authentic Christianity in action, Lee and the FirstLove Refuge family are here with open arms.
After all, as Lee loves to say, "We're all just ordinary people serving an extraordinary God and there's always room for one more at His table."
Stephanie Kinchen - Co-Founder & Ministry Leader
A Heart for Growth and Connection
Stephanie Kinchen, Co-Founder of FirstLove Refuge and Co-Owner of Kinchen Professional Services LLC. With over 20 years of experience in ministry and leadership, Stephanie brings a unique blend of organizational excellence and deep spiritual passion to everything she does. Her heart beats for one thing above all: watching believers' relationships and lives grow in Jesus Christ.
Foundation of Faith and Service
Stephanie's journey in ministry spans more than two decades, during which she's been recognized for her instrumental role in the early works of many church start-ups. Her gift for bringing vision to life through careful planning and heartfelt execution has helped launch numerous ministries that continue to impact lives today. With over 10 years of experience as a Project Coordinator, she understands how to turn dreams into reality, a skill that proved invaluable when God called her and her husband Lee to establish FirstLove Refuge.
Currently furthering her education in MedTech, Stephanie embodies the principle of lifelong learning that she and Lee teach at FirstLove Refuge. She believes that growing in knowledge and understanding honors God and equips us to serve others more effectively.
The Heart Behind the Ministry
What drives Stephanie isn't just organizational success; it's the pure joy of witnessing transformation. She's passionate about growing and learning more about the teachings of Christ and diving deep into the historical context of biblical text. But perhaps most telling of her character is her firm belief that "there must always be music" in ministry and life. This love for gospel music reflects her understanding that worship and joy should permeate every aspect of our relationship with God.
Beyond FirstLove Refuge, Stephanie has made her mark in the community as the Event Director and Planner of Paws and Prayers in Suffolk, VA, a unique ministry that beautifully combines her love for God's creatures with her heart for His people.
Life, Love, and Purpose
Stephanie has been married to her best friend and ministry partner, Lee, for 28 years. Together, they've raised three wonderful daughters who bring them immense pride and joy. When she's not busy with ministry or business responsibilities, you'll find Stephanie enjoying the simple pleasures of life: reading a good book, making candles (filling her home with warmth and beautiful scents), or playing with her beloved dogs, who remind her daily of God's gift of unconditional love.
As Co-Founder of FirstLove Refuge, Stephanie doesn't just support the vision—she helps shape it. Her passion for watching believers grow, combined with her organizational expertise and deep love for Christ's teachings, makes her an invaluable leader in creating a true refuge where people can return to their first love for God. At FirstLove Refuge, Stephanie ensures that love truly comes first, and that every person who enters feels the warmth of God's embrace through genuine community and heartfelt worship.