Category: Neon Reformed OPC Flooding
Neon Rebuild Complete July 28, 2023 was the one year anniversary since Neon Reformed OPC in Neon, KY, was flooded with more than 6′ of filthy water. While we rejoice in the rebuild of the church building (see photo), ruling elder Seth Long reports, “Prayers appreciated. It was a pretty heavy day for a lot of folks I interacted with
This video was presented to the 89th OPC General Assembly during the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries report. Over 170 volunteers and over $350,000 in generous donations were collected to help Neon Reformed OPC get back to worship and aid the community around them. Praise the Lord for His provision! Please share this video with your congregation. If you would
Neon Reformed OPC is Getting a Facelift! From day one, Neon Reformed OPC’s building, a former store, has never looked much like a church building, but now, and because of the devastating flood last July, it is well on its way to becoming one of the nicest buildings in town. And, although a building is not what makes a church, the previous
Measuring Success: Sheds of Hope in Neon by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator Eight weeks and more than halfway through the Spring Community Outreach effort in Neon, Kentucky, site coordinators Mike and Sylvia Kelly’s time there has been measurably successful. Sheds have been built, repairs have been made and contacts have been established. Yet this humble couple would
Registrants Respond to Neon Needs by Trish Duggan A recent plea to the OPC Disaster Response registrants for volunteers brought an abundance of inquiries to our volunteer coordinator, Jane Robinson. Thank you! Mike Kelly now has many additional hands for the rest of the month of March, but more are needed for April and May! Our faithful site coordinators, Mike
The OPC launches springtime efforts to help a region still in need of the compassion of Christ
A Sincere Heart for Ministry by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response “You can only fish so much”, Sylvia Kelly joked, referring to her retired husband, Mike, when asked how they are able to spend three-and-a-half months in Neon, Kentucky. Mike and Sylvia are the new site coordinators for the Spring Neon Community Outreach, and they are as friendly as they
Rebuilding in Appalachia by Judith M. Dinsmore In rural eastern Kentucky, the tree-covered Appalachians tumble downward to meet in narrow hollows—hollers—that are sometimes only wide enough for a creek, a line of houses on one side, and a road on the other. The town of Neon, where the OPC has had a church plant for twenty-two years, lies a few
The Lord Provides Again in Neon by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator What seems to remain a constant in each disaster response effort is the gratitude and apparent spiritual growth of those serving. It’s been made clear to us over the years that helping others in need after a disaster blesses both the one who gives and the
Moved to Compassion by Mattie Hadnagy, Senior at Carolina Christian School My experience in Neon, Kentucky was one that changed my perspective in many ways. As we drove into the town, my heart sank. Houses were caved in, cars were smashed, and businesses demolished. Thinking about all the people in Neon whose lives had been destroyed made me cry…hard. As soon
Anxiety to Assurance by Honor Svenson, Senior at Carolina Christian School Recently I was blessed with the opportunity to go on my first mission trip. I can’t lie, I was quite anxious with questions and worries when I first heard about the trip. But to say that I’m grateful I went is such an understatement. Hearing all the testimonies of
Knitting Together for His Purposes by Shane Evert, youth leader for Carolina Christian School, Locust, North Carolina Over the past two weeks, I have had an opportunity to reflect with gratitude on our recent trip to Neon, KY. The Lord, by His sovereign grace and mercy, assembled through Carolina Christian School in Locust, North Carolina, a short-term team of nine
The Sturgill Family Hear one family’s story about being forced to leave their home after catastrophic floods hit Neon, Kentucky on July 28, 2022 and their thankfulness for the kindness of strangers. OPC Disaster Response was privileged to serve this family to help dry out and disinfect their home in the name of Christ as part of the community outreach
Youth Serve in Neon, KY Pictured is the group from Carolina Christian, along with Neon homeowner, Liz Kilgore, who attended worship with the group on Sunday. A group of 27 young people and chaperones from Carolina Christian School (Locust, NC) came to Neon to serve the Lord in the community last week. Serving as site coordinator while they worked was
Give Thanks in All Circumstances by David Nakhla, OPC Disaster Response Coordinator We seldom focus on the monetary amount given to OPC Disaster Response. Over the years, we have come to take for granted that each disaster response effort seems to receive more than enough funds to faithfully carry out the necessary response work. However, recently we were astounded to
Still Much Unresolved by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator It’s hard to imagine continuing to live in a soggy, mold-filled home, but that’s what many in the community of Neon have had to do without much promise of change. This desperate need is what has led OPC Disaster Response to begin Phase 2 in Neon, Kentucky. Praise the
Catastrophic Flooding Destroys Neon Reformed’s Building Debris litters the roadside in Eastern Kentucky after record-breaking flood waters rose suddenly overnight on July 27. The watermarks on the wall indicate that over six feet of water rushed into Neon Reformed OPC, submerging the first floor for at least eight hours. The flood swept hymnals and chairs from the sanctuary into the
The Finish Line and Beyond in Neon As we reported a few weeks ago, only a few final touches to the interior are needed to complete the OPC Disaster effort at Neon Reformed OPC—just shy of three months after the building was deluged with more than six feet of muddy water! This is certainly cause for praising our great God! Pastor Jay Bennett,
Update on Neon, Kentucky Flooding We are praising the Lord for the work that has been accomplished in Neon, Kentucky at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church in a short period of time! The church building is nearly finished and, Lord willing, may be ready for worship as early as Sunday, October 23. Your prayers and monetary donations along with nearly 120
October Disaster Response Update Hurricane Ian Hurricane Ian has proven to be one of the deadliest hurricanes in Florida history, and it is with thanksgiving that we report that the Lord preserved the OPC through this devastating storm. On September 29th, the day after the storm, Eric Hausler, pastor of Christ the King OPC in Naples, Florida, reported on the widespread devastation,
New Possibilities by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator There is no doubt the connected church is at work in Neon! Just look at the numbers: thus far in the Neon disaster response effort, 102 volunteers have served over 240 days with an average of 8-hours of work per day, which means 1,952 volunteer hours have been served thus
In Case You Missed It! On Monday night, September 19, OPC Disaster Response held a live information session via Zoom for our disaster response registrants. Members of the Neon Disaster Oversight Committee took turns reporting on the progress and future of the effort. Each disaster committee consists of local church deacons, elders, pastors, as well as presbytery members and OPC
Rebuilding and Reaching Out in Neon by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator It’s been forty-nine days since six-and-a-half feet of water ravaged the church building of Neon Reformed OPC. Even though much has been accomplished, there is still much more to do. The Lord hears your prayers and is strengthening the community in Neon, even in this disaster!
Drywall Has Arrived In Neon Crews are cutting and hanging the drywall that was delivered earlier this week to Neon Reformed OPC. Praise the Lord for the progress on the church building. We are so thankful for Art Allen, deacon at Shiloh OPC in Raleigh, NC who, this week began serving as the Site Coordinator for the Neon church rebuild,
Climbing Out of the Mud in Neon by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator As we make our way toward the one-month mark since the record rainfall and flooding in Neon, the town (and surrounding region) continues the hard work of recovering from the devastation. As you drive along the debris-filled roadways, it’s obvious that Neon Reformed OPC’s building
Mucking Out the Community Teams from OP Churches in North Carolina, Tennessee and Michigan have already come to help in Neon after the catastrophic floods devastated Neon Reformed OPC and its community in Neon, Kentucky. After first mucking out, cleaning and sanitizing the church, volunteers are now aiding others in the community. There is much to do, and many more
Meet Bonnie Bonnie is just one of the business and homeowners of Neon who are dealing with what’s left of Neon after the flood two weeks ago. Pastor Jay Bennett talks to Bonnie about her loss and the need for volunteers to help clean out homes and businesses. Volunteers are needed for cleanup now and for the next month. Contact
Restoring Worship in Neon by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator It’s been two weeks since six-and-a-half feet of water ravaged Neon Reformed OPC. Even though much has been accomplished in the these 14 days, the first phase is just now ending. The dehumidifiers in the church are collecting in excess of 75 gallons of water per day! Your
Wash, Rinse, Treat by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator It seems almost counter-intuitive to be using water in the first phases of cleaning out an area devastated by flood, but it’s a necessary step—actually, a really, a crucial one. You can’t close up a wall when mold is present or has the ability to provide a hospitable environment
Work Begins in Neon Flood by Mike Cloy, elder, Landis OPC, Marion, NC July 31, 2022: Elder Mike Cloy, a Presbytery of the Southeast Diaconal Committee Member and Disaster Response Coordinator, traveled to Neon to see firsthand the clean-up progress of the members of the church and the DART (Disaster Advanced Response Team). They were able to muck out the
Catastrophic Flood in Kentucky—Update From Elder Mike Cloy (Landis OPC, Marion, NC) Day 1 Clean Up Neon Disaster Response July 30, 2022 “The dehumidifier trailer arrived around 10 am, delivered by two members of Landis OPC, Marion. [Presbytery of the Southeast’s] DART (Disaster Response Advanced Team) arrived with six men around 3 pm and joined eight church members already mucking
Raging Flood Waters in Neon, Kentucky by David Nakhla, OPC Disaster Response Coordinator Pastor Jay Bennett and his family went to bed as normal on Wednesday evening, July 27th. At 2:30 am they were awakened by a blaring flood warning on Jay’s phone. By the time they were roused and looked outside, the floodwaters had reached a level that would have