Church reaches across miles to help
On July 4, 2025, the most severe and devastating flooding happened in Kerrville, Texas. That area was heavily impacted along with 11 surrounding counties that have been declared a disaster. Young children and adults lost their lives.
As soon as the flood happened, Cedar Creek Community Church, a local church near Osgood, had a vision and wanted to do more for these devastated families needing assistance with not enough resources in the Texas area. Many are still missing. Cedar Creek Pastor Mark Shonk stated to The Versailles Republican, “The vision hasn’t stopped since this all happened and the church has joined together from the heart, and we want to be the lighthouse of this community.”
After discussion of how to help the families in need, the church first had to have a way to transport the donations. Keith Scheible, a member of Cedar Creek, went to Stonebridge Trucking, where he is employed. After letting his company know the church’s vision, Shane Kennedy, CEO of Stonebridge Trucking, offered to supply Keith with a 16-foot hauler, pay for the fuel for transport and his hotel stay to make this vision a reality to help Texas.
Deb Roark and Sue Shonk, of the ladies’ group, Ambassadors for Christ, began contacting local churches to partner with this project. Six local churches have already partnered with them to make this funding happen. We all know it takes a village to survive a storm. Pastor Mark stated to the paper, “The real duty of a church is on the outside, evangelizing and people congregating. It doesn’t matter what church or faith we belong to, we all come together in a time of need to help with this disaster and situation and spread our love and affection for those in this devastating time.”
Roark has been in contact with PaulAnn Baptist Church in St. Angelo, TX. She let them know that everyone here is ready to help bring items they may need. Brandy of PaulAnn Baptist stated to Roark, “Bring it here, please! This is a marathon not a sprint for us.” Meaning it is a long haul recovering from the devastating flood damage for their community. PaulAnn Baptist has a warehouse where they will be able to store the items.
Cedar Creek needs everyone’s assistance on this. They are having an open drop off at Cedar Creek on Aug. 4-8 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at 435 W. County Rd. 150N, Osgood. If you cannot drop off and pick up is required, contact Deb Roark at 812-871-4446 or Sue Shonk at 812-614-4315. The church is in the process of setting up a relief mission fund at First Financial Bank for any monetary donations. The list of needed items includes: cleaning supplies, bug spray, sunscreen, caps and hats, work gloves for the volunteers, high visibility vests, mops, brooms, dust pans, nonperishable items, toiletries, individually packed dry food or snacks, diapers, wipes, baby formula, dog food, cat food etc.
Delta Faucet, of Greensburg, is donating gaylord storage boxes to help with organizing transport of the products. Local businesses may set up a box for the Flood Fund. Versailles IGA, Osgood BP and Ripley Publishing Co. have already started taking donations. Let’s join and make a difference for Texas!
