Madison County church opens doors to flood victims after deadly flooding

Antioch Christian Church in Richmond, Madison County, Ky., has emerged as a vital relief center for residents impacted by the June 27 flooding that claimed lives and caused widespread destruction. The church, which serves as a spiritual home for many in the community, has opened its doors to anyone in need, offering meals and shelter without regard to membership or background.

John Middleton, a long-time member of the church, reflected on the severity of the recent flooding, noting it was the worst he had seen in his lifetime. He recalled a similar flood in the summer of 1966, when water levels reached dangerously close to the church property. “The last real bad flood we had was, I think, in the summer of 66, where the water really got right up real close to the church,” Middleton said.

Pastor Art Jaramillo shared that a neighbor alerted him to the extent of the flooding after sending a video showing water at the church building. Services were canceled the following Sunday, but the church swiftly adapted, assessing the damage and finding it to be minimal—primarily water in the basement. “We came, assessed the damage, thankfully, just water in the basement, so very minimal compared to everything else that went around us,” Jaramillo said.

The church quickly mobilized, partnering with Enrich and local emergency management to provide immediate assistance. “And we just decided that day, open up the church, partner with Enrich, let emergency management know that we’re here, and it just skyrocketed from there,” Jaramillo explained.

Since reopening, the church has been serving meals to community members on a daily basis. “On a given day, we’ve served anywhere from just over 100 meals. Yesterday was about 170 meals,” Jaramillo said. These efforts have become a lifeline for many who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Jaramillo acknowledged the emotional toll of the disaster, particularly the loss of life and the deep sense of community grief. “But there’s still that shock, because they know the people in this area. They’ve grown up with them. They’ve lived with them. They knew the gentleman who passed away, unfortunately,” he said. The tragedy has left many in the community reeling, but it has also sparked a powerful spirit of solidarity and service.

Despite the challenges, the congregation has responded with remarkable generosity and dedication. “What’s also amazing about them is the moment we said we’re going to do this, the vast majority of them said we want to help. And they’ve been putting in countless hours. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done,” Jaramillo said. The church’s actions reflect the biblical call to love our neighbors as ourselves, as seen in Matthew 25:35, where Jesus reminds us that serving the least of these is serving Him.

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