SHORT-TERM MISSIONS &
DISASTER RESPONSE

Please pray for the saints at Neon Reformed OPC after an unexpected flash flood on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Forecasts predicted just two inches of rain, but nearly a foot and a half of water accumulated at the church’s doorway, leading to several inches seeping inside and preventing Sunday worship. The nearby towns of Pikeville and Hazard have reported this as the seventh worst flood in the past 110 years, claiming lives and property.

The response to the church’s need has been swift. The Presbytery of the Southeast diaconal committee, led by Shiloh OPC deacon Tim Hopper and Landis OPC elder Mike Cloy, quickly coordinated cleanup and repair efforts, aiming to resume worship next week. Neon Reformed OPC elder Seth Long, along with his family and other congregants began the cleanup on Sunday. Heritage OPC deacon Mike Kelly and his wife, Sylvia—who previously helped restore Neon OPC in 2022—were in town for diaconal projects when the flood hit. They have extended their stay to lead the cleanup.

Several others are also stepping in to assist, many of whom participated in 2022, including:

- Shiloh OPC deacon Art Allen

- Princeton OPC (Johnson City) elder Joel Sherwood

- Faith OPC (Cookeville, TN) deacon Tom Kaufman and elder Dan Forsell

- Providence OPC (Chilhowie, VA) elder Walter Robinson and his wife, Jane

- Covenant New Bern deacon Scott Cormier and member Jim Flanagan

Please continue to pray for these faithful servants, many of whom are also assisting with OPC Disaster Response efforts in western North Carolina and pray as Neon Reformed OPC and the Presbytery considers ways to mitigate future flooding.

Photos can be found at opcdisasterresponse.org