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Volume 11 No. 9
Aug 26, 2022
"For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord, God of Hosts, is his name!"
Amos 4:13
Climbing out of the Mud in Neon
by Trish Duggan, OPC Disaster Response Communications Coordinator
Left: Reuben Long, mucking site coordinator using the standup bobcat; right: Josh Miner and Patrick Juras from Pilgrim OPC (Raleigh, NC).
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 has made progress in its clean up and drying out, as many others still struggle to emerge from the mud. The Lord has been merciful to this congregation through your prayers, donations, and volunteering.
The town itself is still reeling. Although electricity and water have been mostly restored, thirteen counties in Eastern Kentucky, including Neon, have been without a sewer treatment system since the flood. Two mobile sewage treatment units have been obtained for Neon but have yet to be hooked up.
As with other disaster efforts, there are many who have been integral to this effort, including elder Seth Long, his son Reuben, and his daughter Helen, as well as Pastor Jay and Andrea Bennett. Their knowledge and relationship with the community has been indispensable.
Opportunities
Neon, Kentucky
Right now, we are in need of skilled laborers to come and begin rebuilding the Neon Reformed OPC building. If you are able to serve in Neon, please register to be a Disaster Response volunteer and contact Jane, the volunteer coordinator, at Kentuckyvolunteers@opc.org to schedule your spot or ask any questions you may have!
Updates
OPC Disaster Response Registry
Our new goal is to have 450 OPC Disaster Response registrants by the end of 2022 hurricane season! We currently have 391! A special thanks to our most recent registrants: John, Ben and Ryan from TN, Maury from OH, Jonathan and Carrie from GA, Dan and Greg from FL, Alexis from MD, and Mike from AL! From the first news of the flooding in Kentucky, there has been a tremendous increase in registrants. We are so grateful for this clear demonstration of compassion and unity. Show us your interest in serving by registering to be a volunteer, and serve where and when you can!
Updates & Opportunities
The Uganda Mission
Join us in welcoming the newest Uganda Mission Missionary Associate, Jed Homan!
Jed is a member of Immanuel OPC (Bellmawr, NJ) and will be serving in Uganda for the next six months. Please pray for him as he travels to Karamoja and begins his work there to the service of the Lord and the benefit of the Mission.
Short-term volunteers are still needed!
The Uganda Mission would greatly benefit from individuals willing to serve for a month or longer. Currently, needs exist in areas of facilities maintenance, childcare for the missionaries, and oversight of the farm project. Visit our site to learn more about applying to serve!
The Boardwalk Chapel
Summer 2022 is wrapping up!
Join us in giving thanks for another successful summer at the Boardwalk Chapel! With less than a week of summer ministry left, the Chapel staff and volunteers have much to reflect on and share. Visit the STM website to read more about their time at the Chapel.
Evangelism Conference-- August 29 - September 2
This conference will offer classroom teaching, field training, and open-air preaching with experienced evangelists and ministers; along with plenty of fellowship and mutual encouragement
If you are interested in attending the conference, there are beds available on site. Please email boardwalkchapel@gmail.com to reserve a bed.
Register your church group to be a Summer 2024 Ministry Team!
Interested in having your church's youth group spend a week at the Chapel? Now is the time to save your spot for summer 2024!
Church groups receive training in evangelism and apologetics and participate in evangelism throughout the week, equipping them to share the Gospel. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity for your church group to grow in their faith and in evangelism!
OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries Update
The Reformed Deacon Podcast's New Episodes: OPC National Diaconal Summit IV Sessions
Yesterday we released the first four podcast episodes from the OPC National Diaconal Summit IV. Putting these recordings into podcast form, as you can imagine, is an attempt to make these messages convenient and accessible, primarily for individual consumption in the flow of life. We are releasing all thirteen in batches so you can "binge" listen while on a long drive or working on a household project. The first batch is available now and we'll release more sessions in the very near future. If you listen and find a message profitable, talk to your deacons about what you liked and learned. Deacons, if there is a message that is particularly suited for your diaconate, consider watching the video together and discussing. As always, like, follow and comment!
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
