BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

2 4 : B V O V In the weeks following catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country and Central Texas on July 4 that claimed the lives of 71 adults and 37 children, numerous volunteers and organizations remain on hand—diligently assisting with cleanup, and helping arrange financial assistance to those affected by the devastating floods. Among those still making a presence known in the area is Kenneth Copeland Ministries' Disaster Relief team, which has been actively involved in providing assistance to ministry Partners and residents in and around Kerrville and Marble Falls since the tragedy occurred. "We're still locating and visiting our Partners who have been affected by the floods," says Riley Stephenson, who leads the KCM Disaster Relief team, after returning from a second visit to the affected areas in August. "Every one of them has been so blessed that KCM would come down here, knock on their doors, and not only pray with them but also bless them financially. "One of our Partners had been out of work all last month due to the flooding. We were able to help by providing her with finances so her daughter could get new school clothes, meeting both practical and spiritual needs as we ministered encouragement to her," says Riley. "We also ministered to a gentleman who had the heartbreaking experience of finding nine bodies on his property after the floodwaters receded." The man shared that volunteers who first arrived as strangers had become friends. "We've also been able to minister to first responders, who have carried such a heavy burden during this crisis," Riley says. In its two visits to the area, the KCM Disaster Relief team has distributed nearly $200,000 in financial assistance to KCM Partner families and others in the communities in need. 'God Needs Us!' "God needs us there, checking on our Partners and Friends," was Riley's initial response regarding the team and its involvement in the relief efforts. "We're preparing a plan to support those in need." Within hours following the flooding, KCM's Disaster Relief team began connecting with local churches to determine how the ministry could best serve the communities, as well as our KCM Partners in those areas along the Guadalupe River. As soon as the roads were cleared in Central Texas, team members made the 250-mile drive to Kerrville. Meanwhile, employees in the Partner Service Center at KCM's Headquarters office in Fort Worth were already on the phones; reaching out to KCM Partners in the area to see if they had been impacted by the floods, and how we could assist them. During and after a disaster, KCM attempts to connect with every KCM Partner in the region to ensure their safety and stand with them in prayer that their community will be supernaturally restored. From that day until now, the relief team has continued to be involved in helping those in need in the affected areas. "We focused first on reaching out to our Partners and Friends," Riley said, "going door to door in the hardest hit areas to check on their welfare, pray with them, and offer financial assistance. We've worked closely with Partner churches Gates of the City and Victory Church in the Marble Falls area, using them as local hubs to identify affected Partners and connect with the surrounding community." As cleanup efforts continue, the relief team will make periodic trips to Kerr and Burnett counties in Central Texas, working with community leaders to help restore some stability to those affected. "As a ministry, we've ministered to individuals and families face-to- face, many of them in tears, just grateful someone showed up," says Riley. "One pastor, whose house had flooded, was overwhelmed when we gave him financial support. With tears in his eyes, he said, 'I thought KCM Continues Disaster Relief Efforts In Kerrville Faith In Action:

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