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Volume 11 No. 8
July 29, 2022
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace
at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all."
1 Thessalonians 3:16
OPC Disaster Response:
Raging Flood Waters
in Neon, Kentucky
by David Nakhla, OPC Disaster Response Coordinator
Photo: Pastor Jay Bennett snaps a photo of the floodwaters from his apartment above Neon Reformed OPC.
Pastor Jay Bennett and his family went to bed as normal on Wednesday evening, July 27th. At 2:30 am they were awakened to a blaring flood warning on his phone. By the time they were roused and looked outside, the floodwaters had reached a level that would have been unsafe to wade through. Living in the second floor apartment above the solid brick building of Neon Reformed OPC, they were safe from what would become a raging torrent of water. Sadly, its becoming clear that there were many in Eastern Kentucky who were not so safe.
As the early morning hours progressed, they watched their Toyota Corolla float away down the river that, just hours before, had been State Highway 317. Their Toyota 4-Runner was subsumed as well. They knew water had entered the church building below when they began to hear items in the bottom of the stairwell knocking against the wall as they floated and as plate glass windows exploded under the pressure of the rising river outside.
Please pray for the congregation of Neon Reformed OPC in Neon, KY, and the surrounding region. Praise the Lord for sparing the lives of all the church members from injury, while remembering those who are mourning the lives of those lost in this flash flood. OPC Disaster Response has established the “Kentucky Flood Fund” to receive donations. Checks should be made out to “Orthodox Presbyterian Church” and designated, “Kentucky Flood Fund” on the memo line. Please mail to: The Committee on Diaconal Ministries, Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 Easton Road, Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA 19090. A portal to receive electronic donations is available at Give.opc.org.
Opportunities
Crates for Ukraine
MTW continues their effort, "Crates for Ukraine" with the goal of gathering and delivering basic supplies to the most needy areas in Ukraine. There is a great need to be met, both in donating supplies and in delivering them to Krakow, Poland.
The OPC Refugee Ministry Subcommittee is offering to sponsor courier teams traveling to Krakow with supplies. If you are interested in couriering and would like to know more, please click the link below.
Registration for the summer phase of "Crates For Ukraine" will close on August 7. All crates need to arrive in Krakow by August 31.
Tornado-Damaged Kentucky
Reformed Mission Services continues to send volunteers to come alongside those affected by the tornadoes that hit Kentucky back in December of 2021.
A volunteer schedule is currently being compiled for August. If you are willing to assist with response efforts, please contact Rob Brinks.
Updates
The Ukrainian Plight Continues
by Trish Duggan, Communications Coordinator for OPC Disaster Response
Although the news headlines have veered some from the war in Ukraine, the turmoil in that region continues, with no end in sight. Reports from our missionary contacts tell us that the mood in Ukraine remains tense, with air raid sirens echoing through every town each time a threat is perceived, creating an atmosphere of constant uneasiness. OPC missionaries have returned to L'viv, along with other formerly displaced Ukrainians, to serve again in a new, uncertain "normal." L'viv, for now, is considered safe.
As far as we know, there is no end in sight for the war. David Nakhla, OPC Disaster Response coordinator, continues to research and pursue various opportunities in which the OPC could potentially get involved. As these opportunities for service are identified and solidified, we will pass them on to you.
OPC Disaster Response Registry
We currently have 318 Disaster Response registrants! A special thanks to our most recent registrants: Doug from Pennsylvania, Olivia from California, Brett from Texas, John from Pennsylvania, the Moots from Michigan, the Scotts from Tennessee, and James from Connecticut!
In the coming weeks and months, we anticipate there will be many opportunities to assist with the cleanup and rebuilding efforts in Neon, KY—and possibly elsewhere. Show us your interest in serving by registering to be a volunteer.
Updates
E4K St. Georges: A Little Taste of Heaven
By Anne-Marie Coulombe
Cue the slow-motion scene with music by Vangelis, “Chariots of Fire.” Moses crosses the red sea and Pharaoh’s army is swallowed up after him. The skit captivates the attention of the children after being told of God's faithfulness to his people.
Daily Bible skits were just one of the highly anticipated activities for children attending English for Kids in St. Georges, Quebec, Canada. Hosted by the Reformed Christian Church of Beauce, the camp was a means of engaging with families in the community and teaching the children biblical truths.
E4K Quebec City: Great is Thy Faithfulness!
By Ben Westerveld
What a week! Sixty kids enjoying English conversation and learning about the story of Noah.
In response to my questions, "Who gave us the rainbow? Who sent the flood? Who saved Noah in the ark? Who give us a new earth of righteousness?" – all the kids chanted, “God!” When I stated, “The Lord God is…”, all the kids responded, “faithful!”
The Boardwalk Chapel
Praise & Prayer Requests
We are praising God for a successful start to the summer, and pray for continual blessings on this season.
- Safety, rest, and unity for staff
- Safety for youth groups traveling
- Wisdom for leaders and Junior Staff counselors
- Lost souls on the boardwalk to be brought to the Chapel and hear the Good News
- Encouragement for those who serve in the background
- That all who serve here will know and be able to use their gifts
Opportunities
The Uganda Mission
Updated Opportunity—Full-time Facilities Engineer and short-term volunteers needed in Karamoja, Uganda
- An opening now exists for a facilities engineer for the OPC Uganda Mission. With the recent determination of Mark Van Essendelft and his family not return to Uganda, OPC Foreign Missions is currently looking for a full-time facilities engineer. A financial support package is included.
- Short-term volunteers to help with maintenance are also needed!
The Boardwalk Chapel
Staff Openings:
- 2 full-time male beds
- 4 full-time female beds
Jr. Staff openings (7/30-8/27):
- 3 male openings
- 2 female opening
Evangelism Conference
- August 29-Sept 2
Early 'Byrd' cost: $400 (sign up by July 29!)
Teachers: Rev. Chris Byrd & Rev. Al Baker
If you are interested in attending the conference, there are beds available on site. Please email boardwalkchapel@gmail.com to reserve a bed.
OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries Update
The Reformed Deacon Podcast Upcoming Episode: Disabilities and the Church
In the next episode of The Reformed Deacon (releasing August 1) hosts David Nakhla and John Voss talk with Rev. Stephen Tracey, pastor of Lakeview OPC in Rockport, ME on a topic that can seem overwhelming, and as such, may be overlooked, “Disabilities and the Church”. In his three simple steps to minister to, and with, those with disabilities, Rev. Tracey suggests, "Be a welcoming church, be a welcoming church to anyone, and do what you can." Don’t miss it! Find The Reformed Deacon on your favorite podcast player and like, subscribe, and share!
Distribute to your church!
Get the PDF summary of this STORM Report as a poster or bulletin insert.
Short-Term Missions
OPC Disaster Response
Committee on Diaconal Ministries
David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions and
Disaster Response Coordinator
215-935-1007
david.nakhla@opc.org
Trish Duggan
Communications Coordinator,
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
trish.duggan@opc.org
Allison Hill
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
allison.hill@opc.org
