'I feel heaviness, but I also feel hope': Vigil offers prayers, community to those affected by Guadalupe River floods

KERRVILLE, Texas — What was supposed to be a Fourth of July celebration turned into tragedy when rushing floodwaters devastated the residents of Kerrville and surrounding communities.

On Saturday evening, the Coming King Foundation hosted a prayer vigil for those affected by the floods—from those who lost property and loved ones to those still waiting on news of their missing friends and family. 

Organizers wanted to send a message of hope to the community, to pierce the darkness that hangs over Kerr County after Friday’s tragedy.

“A lot of people lost their life. A lot of families were totally destroyed, and people lost everything. Our hearts go out to those people,” said Fred Schrempf, president of the Coming King Foundation.

The foundation was joined by community members at the Coming King Scripture Prayer Garden.

“This is a wonderful community, a faith community,” Schrempf said. “When my brothers and sisters are hurting, we reach out and we lift them up.” 

After Friday’s floods that have killed at least 43 in Kerr County and left many unaccounted for, organizers felt that other than collecting item and donations, the way they could help was with prayers.

“The most powerful thing that I can do is come up here and intercede with prayer for these families that are hurting beyond what anyone can ever imagine, whole families potentially lost,” said Bobby Woods, the foundation’s vice president. “It’s heartbreaking.”

Allan Parker says he came from San Antonio after hearing the news of the natural disaster that turned deadly. He wanted to help with search and rescue efforts, and also to pray.

“We prayed at a home group last night, and even today my wife said, ‘I can’t get these children off my mind. We’ve got to find them and the families, and the rescuers.’ I said, ‘I’ve got to go over and do something,'” said Allan Parker, president of the Justice Foundation.

Schrempf said he remembers going to Uvalde after the Robb Elementary School tragedy in May 2022, adding he felt the same darkness in Kerrville in the aftermath of the Fourth of July crisis. 

“The difference here is, I feel the heaviness,” he said. “But I also feel the hope.” 

Organizers of the vigil say they wanted attendees to walk away with hope and peace. They also acknowledged that it’s going to take time to recover from this tragedy, that will forever be in their minds and hearts.