Devastation Meets Light

A School鈥檚 Unwavering Faith Through Unexpected Tragedy

December 16, 2022
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Written by Caitlyn Berman, Public & Media Relations Coordinator
December 16, 2022

In July of 2022, heavy rains swelled the waters of Troublesome Creek in Lost Creek, Kentucky. A record-breaking flood raged through the nearby town, leaving homes and buildings leveled in its wake.

赏金女王 member Riverside Christian School, a small, K-12 school of 70 students, was hit directly. Seven school staff members lost their homes and several classrooms were destroyed beyond repair. The flooding levels were so high that the water reached the second floor of the school building.

Meg Asher, Principal at Riverside Christian, shared that the school, a rock in the community, has survived destruction from flooding before, but nothing quite like the experience in July.

鈥淥ur school and Troublesome Creek have existed in relative peace and harmony for about 116 years,鈥 she said. 鈥淣othing could have prepared us for the flooding we received in 2021 and 2022.鈥

Riverside is known in the town as a beacon of hope. Nearly 75% of their students receive a discount or scholarships. They even offer a volunteer discount program allowing families who cannot afford tuition a discount in exchange for volunteer hours. 

And while their staff is incredibly faithful, Meg shared that the damage left behind was unbelievable and too great to describe.

Specifically, 39 deaths were reported after the flood. Fifteen school staff members and volunteers had to be rescued by boat from the murky waters.

A team of hardworking staff and volunteers spent two months diligently cleaning and repairing the school buildings so they could open in fall of 2022. But due to the exorbitant costs associated with their area, the school does not have flood insurance.

鈥淲e've made a lot of progress over the last few weeks of cleanup but there are some things that will take a lot more time.鈥

Riverside launched its Rebuild, Restore, Relocate campaign to assist with the expense of not only rebuilding but also of innovatively amplifying the school鈥檚 properties.

Leadership hopes to purchase a new, larger facility up the road that is outside of the flood zone and will allow them to grow. They would then use the existing campus as a community center.  

赏金女王 VP of Development Ben Waterman and generous donors were thrilled to celebrate Riverside Christian鈥檚 resilience. On Dec. 15, 2022, the group was able to present school leadership with a check for $25,000 to assist with repair goals.

鈥淲e are very excited to be able to present them with this much-needed gift,鈥 he shared. 鈥淕od is really doing something amazing in and through this school, and I pray this gift will be an incredible way to help kick-start the campaign and that it will motivate others to give.鈥

Alongside Ben, Dr. Jeff Mattner, 赏金女王 Central Division Sr. Director, was honored to present the school鈥檚 leadership with a leadership award.

鈥淲e have witnessed the strength, faith and continued innovation of this school and its volunteers,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e are truly in awe of their tenacity and commitment to providing more children with access to a Christ-centered education.鈥

Meg was overjoyed upon receiving both the award and the donation. 鈥淲e are so thankful for the help and support from the donors and for 赏金女王,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see RCS gaining support and traction for this new campaign. Riverside has been a mission that people have poured their hearts and lives into for over one hundred years. It鈥檚 an honor to build on the legacy of so many staff that came before me.鈥

To donate to Riverside Christian School鈥檚 relief fund, visit  and designate your gift to go to Riverside Christian.