Texas Flooding

Weekly Update – July 10th, 2025 

In the early morning hours of July 4, historic flash floods swept through Texas Hill Country, triggering a crisis that is still unfolding. The Guadalupe River surged 30 feet in less than 45 minutes. At least 110 people have died, most in Kerr County, and more than 1,000 people have been rescued, including over 100 by air. Search teams continue working around the clock to locate those who are still missing, which may still be over 200 people. This disaster struck without warning. Campgrounds were overwhelmed, homes were swept away, and entire families are reeling.

Now, when tragedy hits, we have seen primarily two ways that people will respond.  They will either take advantage of the situation for their own personal gain or they will come together to help, serve and build up others.  By God’s common grace, there have been far more stories of men and women putting aside differences, showing strength and lifting each other out of this disaster.  There are stories of men and women coming from all over the United States with their equipment and their survival kits to lend a helping hand.  One of the major groups to offer help is the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team.

The question is, how can we help?  Here are three ways:

First, we can pray.  What an opportunity we have before us to unite with other believers all over the country and even with many around the world to pray for other believers and unbelievers alike in the midst of their hardship.  Pray for the families grieving lost loved ones, especially those still awaiting news of missing children. Pray for survivors as they begin to rebuild after losing homes, memories, and livelihoods. Pray for strength and safety for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams and first responders working in dangerous conditions. Pray for churches in the Hill Country to be a refuge of both practical help and spiritual comfort. Pray, most of all, that Christ would be exalted and that his name would be proclaimed.

Second, we can give.  There are many great resources that we can give to in our desire to aid the flood victims in Texas.  One of these resources, which can be trusted with your money, as they guarantee that every penny will make it to disaster relief, is The North American Mission Board.  They are coordinating efforts, along with many of our Baptist state conventions to provide disaster relief in many ways.  If you want to give to this effort, you can do so here HERE.

Third, we can go. With a disaster of this magnitude, the federal government is unable to be the sole response team to offer aid.  Yet, with the help of others, including Southern Baptists there is hope in the midst of recovery. To help with a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team, you don’t have to be trained, nor do you have to go through training at this time.  You only need to be available.  For more information about how you can volunteer in the wake of this flood, you can find more information HERE.

What we have before us is a great opportunity to demonstrate the grace that God has shown to us through Jesus Christ.  Because Jesus gave himself up for us, we now ought to have the desire to give ourselves up for others.  This is true in proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth, but this is also true in serving others to meet their practical needs.  I hope that you will join in some way, shape or form in seeking to serve those affected by the floods in Texas.   

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson