Texas Baptists responded with prayers and support when flash floods July 4 led to a devastating loss of life and substantial damage along the Guadalupe River in areas stretching from Kerrville to San Antonio.
Associated Press reported 104 fatalities as of July 7, including 28 children in Kerr County. Ten girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, remain missing.
More than 12 inches of rain fell within 12 hours. Roads were washed out, and area businesses were destroyed by the rushing floodwaters that carried brush and debris.
Baptist community responds in prayer, mourning
Baylor University President Linda Livingstone, who currently is in Brisbane, Australia, to attend the Baptist World Congress, said, “My heart is back in Texas as I stay updated on the tragic flooding and heart-shattering loss of life along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country and in other areas of the state.”
Livingstone also said the Baylor Care Team is offering prayer and resources to the 18 students from the Kerrville, Hunt, and Ingram areas.
Keith Bruce, a former pastor, seminary administrator and denominational executive, reported on social media one of the missing girls from Camp Mystic is part of his extended family.
“Greta Toranzo, one of the missing girls from Camp Mystic, is the niece of our son Preston and his wife Michelle,” Bruce posted on Facebook.
“I know you will continue to pray with us and for all who are missing, families who have lost loved ones, and for the tireless efforts of rescuers. We covet and are grateful for your specific prayers for our extended family.”
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Early Tuesday, Bruce confirmed through Toranzo’s mother on Facebook that Toranzo “lost her life in the July Fourth flood in Kerr County.”
Jeff Warren, senior pastor at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, reflected on the tragic loss for his church—which was home to one girl who was killed—and for the University Park community.
“We had 8 in our community … none of those girls or counselors made it out alive,” Warren said.
“It’s been heartbreaking, but the Spirit is moving among us and God’s people are bringing hope and healing in the midst of unspeakable loss. Grief is the price we pay for love, and the greater the love, the greater the grief. These girls loved so well and were loved by everyone who knew them.”
Jim Denison, in his online newsletter “The Daily Article,” shared a story of sacrifice by Dick Eastland, the director of Camp Mystic who died trying to save kids during the flood.
“He was one of the most loving, gracious people I know,” Denison wrote. “A camp counselor said Dick was among the ‘most selfless men in the whole world. He was an inspiration to so, so many. He was a father figure, a comforting force in the uncertainty of everything.’”
Kathy Hillman of Baylor University, a past president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, reported on Facebook, “Tears flow as memories flood our minds in the heartbreaking loss of Jane Ragsdale, longtime director and owner of Heart O’ the Hills Camp,” who died in the floods.
Hillman recalled from personal family experience how Ragsdale “made every summer one to remember with her passion, love, and attention to each girl, and her unique personality and gifts.”
Texans on Mission deploy to affected areas
Texans on Mission disaster relief volunteers deployed to Central Texas July 7 once “some of the water … receded.”
Volunteers set up their base of operations at Trinity Baptist Church in Kerrville, and volunteer chaplain are ministering to families affected by the flood.
The group has placed incident management teams, shower and laundry units, assessors, electrical and electronic support, asset protection and flood recovery teams on standby to serve, said David Wells, director of disaster relief for Texans on Mission.
Gaylan Mathis, volunteer feeding coordinator for Texans on Mission announced, “All openings for volunteer feeding are full through at least the first 3 weeks.”
Matthis added Kerrville has full deployment and is capable of feeding about 100 Texans on Mission volunteers. In San Angelo, Mathis confirmed volunteers still are needed and anticipate feeding 60 to 75 volunteers by the middle of next week.
Mickey Lenamon, executive director of Texans on Mission, said volunteers from his organization likely will be serving in varied capacities—relief, recovery and rebuilding—in Central Texas for up to six months.
Lakepointe Church in Rockwall will deploy its flood recovery unit to Kerrville on July 20. Anyone interested in volunteering for deployment can call Dyan Drain at 214-681-8766 or email at dwdrain@yahoo.com.
Texans on Mission is gathering the names and addresses of people who will need assistance and identifying the needs. To report needs, click here.
(https://www.texansonmission.org/hill-country-request-for-assistance)
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. See updates in paragraph 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 20.
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