Kentucky Mountain Bible College installs new president

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Published: Sep. 23, 2022 at 12:44 PM EDT

BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - One college in our region has a new leader.

On Friday, Dr. Robert Pocai was installed as the 6th president of Kentucky Mountain Bible College (KMBC) in Breathitt County.

“There’s definitely a lot of prayer made through the decision and I believe through that, a lot of people can have confidence in it,” student body president Heath Lewis said.

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Pocai, who grew up in Lost Creek and was a KMBC graduate, came back to the region on Aug. 1, just days after devastating flooding rocked his home community. He returned from Jackson, Mississippi after 20 years and the flooding of his church there to take the post in Jackson, Kentucky.

“My heart is broken for my area that suffered such a great tragedy of not only things but loss of lives,” Pocai said.

With his experience living in Lost Creek and working with Salvation Army, Pocai says he has gained a lot of experience leading in tough times.

“Leadership is what kinda holds it together, and it’s something to be a servant leader. We’re all suffering in our community right now so to lead by example, invest, be out in the community, love on people that have suffered such great tragedy, I count it the calling,” he said.

He succeeds the previous president, Dr. Philip Speas.