When the citizens of Bandera and surrounding communities
were literally watching their possessions float away last summer amid mounting
floodwaters, the Rev. Cheryl Owens, pastor of Bandera United Methodist Church,
opened her church to those in need.
“During severe flooding Bandera becomes an island,” Owens
said. “Last summer people couldn’t travel in or out, even the Red Cross
couldn’t get in at one point.”
After housing as many as 20 flood victims in the church
fellowship hall during peak flooding, it was evident to Owens and other members
of the Bandera County Interfaith Disaster Emergency Assistance (IDEA) team that
it was time to be proactive.
“It was apparent to me that the county needed to have a Red
Cross shelter that can go into action quickly,” said Owens, who serves as
chairperson for Bandera County IDEA. “We know that we’ll have floods again.
It’s a feast to famine and back to feast again situation with water here in the
Hill Country.”
Knowing that Bandera UMC’s new family life center and
adjacent buildings could offer a safe, well-equipped flood shelter in the event
of future disasters, Owens made a proposal to modify the congregation’s plans.
Still under construction, Bandera UMC’s new facilities will
eventually have showers, phone lines adequate for an emergency command station
and an office capable of meeting Red Cross computer needs. A new outdoor
pavilion will include space for those taking refuge at the church to keep their
pets out of harm’s way until inclement conditions improve.
The spacious family life center will also host Wednesday
evening family and youth services, expanded adult bible study classes and other
special events. The outdoor pavilion will be outfitted with basketball goals
and be available for other youth related activities.
The loan for the first phase of construction for Bandera
UMC’s improved facilities was funded through the Texas Methodist Foundation.
“We’re pleased that our loan program can go so far to assist a community in
meeting their current and future needs,” said Texas Methodist Foundation David
McCaskill, Vice President of Loans.
“What many people don’t realize is that investors in our
Methodist Loan Fund make our loan program possible,” McCaskill added. “When
churches and individuals invest with us, they not only earn rates higher than
those offered for most bank CDs and money market funds, they also support
Christian ministries throughoutTexas.”
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