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| This is a Reprint of the August 18, 2026 Article By Beacon Editor. All Credits Belong to SA Beacon A day of healing at the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden, through the Hill Country Flood Memorial.On the morning of July 3, 2026, a gentle breeze swept across the 1,930-foot hilltop overlooking Kerrville, Texas. For many in the crowd of several hundred gathered at The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden, the warm weather and scattered clouds stood in stark contrast to the nightmare that had unfolded exactly one year earlier.  The Hill Country Memorial Wall in Kerrville Texas honors those that lost their lives and first responders that saved countless lives.Independence Day 2025 is a date etched in the heart of the Texas Hill Country with sorrow. In the dead of night, a catastrophic “thousand-year flood” transformed the tranquil Guadalupe River into a wall of destruction. Over 100 billion gallons of water—more than flows over Niagara Falls in a day—surged through the limestone basin, claiming 139 lives. Among the lost were 27 young souls from a Christian summer camp, their lives cut short before the sun could rise on the nation’s birthday.But on this anniversary, the community didn’t gather to dwell on the darkness. They gathered to find the light.A Wall of Remembrance The morning’s centerpiece was the dedication of the Hill Country Flood Memorial Wall. Standing six feet tall and stretching 176 feet long, the rugged limestone structure features an “undulating” shape to symbolize the raging river that changed everything.The service opened with the poignant notes of “River of Angels,” an original song by Larry Keebles. The lyrics, which describe spirits being plucked from the water by angels, set a somber yet hopeful tone. TCKF Vice President Col. Bobby Woods (USAF, ret.), who lost his granddaughter years ago, spoke directly to the “Why?” that haunts so many survivors.”The flood was an act of nature, but it bore the fingerprints of steal, kill, and destroy all over it,” Woods said, referencing the biblical warning about the enemy’s intent.”We wanted to create a place of peace and hope… to bring your grief and sorrows and lay them here.”Moments of GraceThe most moving moment came when victim families, friends, and first responders—many still in uniform—were invited to step forward. They lined the entire 176-foot length of the wall, laying their hands on the cool limestone. As they prayed, TCKF founder Max Greiner Jr. moved through the crowd, anointing each person with oil.  The families of those lost in the flood were anointed with oil, laid hands on the Wall and prayed for all those impacted by the 2025 and 2026 floods in Kerrville, Texas.“ We are here for those who still cannot go near the river,” said TCKF President Fred Schremp. “For the first responders who cannot unsee what they saw. We want them to find the Lord’s peace and comfort.”United Rescue Alliance CEO Angel Poorman delivered a message of enduring hope to everyone who had gathered.”Jesus’ death wasn’t the end of the story,” Poorman said. “The resurrection was. Hope was. Life was. Jesus is still our peace. He is our comfort; He is still our healing, and He is still our hope.”She continued, “My prayer today is that every person who comes to this memorial will leave carrying something they didn’t have when they arrived: a little more peace, a little more courage, a little more hope. A renewed assurance that they are deeply, deeply, deeply loved by God. May this place always remind us that while storms may change our lives, they will never have the final word. God does.”The ceremony also honored the community’s “Divine Servants.” Seven families who lost loved ones received a single “Yellow Rose of Texas.” First responders were presented with “Divine Servant” lapel pins and small crosses crafted from juniper and cedar, and anointed with Guadalupe River water.In one of the morning’s most powerful moments, five people gave their hearts to Jesus Christ—a reminder that even in the deepest grief, God brings new life.  Many of those in attendance lost loved ones that will be remembered by bronze plaques with their names. A Vision for the FutureWhile the wall is now a reality, the vision for the memorial is just beginning. Max Greiner Jr. shared his heart for what is yet to come: a life-size bronze sculpture of Jesus walking on the turbulent water, holding the hands of two smiling eight-year-old girls, and a monumental bronze bald eagle rising from the river rocks. “We do all we can and give it to Jesus,” Greiner told the crowd.”He can multiply the fishes. He doesn’t ask us to perform miracles—He asks us to do what we can. The purpose of this memorial is to bring glory to God, souls to Jesus, and honor and recognition to all who were lost and to those who served to help this community. This garden is a place of healing, hope, peace, and eternal life.”TCKF Chairman Greiner reflected on the day’s significance: “As the artist, architect, and evangelist of the garden and the ‘Hill Country Flood Memorial,’ the dedication of this Memorial Wall is one of the most significant events to have occurred in this sacred art park since the vision was born in 2002. We pray that millions of visitors will find the peace, love, and healing only God can provide when they visit this wall. One day, this 176-foot-long wall will be covered with hundreds of permanent bronze plaques honoring those who should never be forgotten.”As the service concluded, the hilltop stood as a testament to resilience. In a place where the heart of Texas was broken a year ago, hope has begun to take root once more . How You Can Help Complete the Vision The Hill Country Flood Memorial is a place of active remembrance, yet it remains unfinished. The limestone wall stands—but it is mostly bare. Hundreds of bronze plaques still need to be installed. Sculptures still need to be created. And the families, survivors, and first responders who visit this sacred ground deserve a completed memorial worthy of their sacrifice.You can be part of that. 1. Sponsor a Memorial Bronze Plaque The limestone wall will eventually be adorned with hundreds of bronze plaques honoring victims and first responders. You can sponsor a plaque in several sizes:• 8″ x 8″ Plaque: $1,000 • 12″ x 12″ Plaque: $4,000 • 18″ x 24″ Plaque: $8,000Recognition is available to sponsors. Call TCKF at (830) 928-7774 for more details. Donate to Plaques 2. The River of Angels CrossHelp install a powerful 16-foot steel cross, adorned with 119 stainless-steel angels ascending toward Heaven, created by the beloved artist David Broussard of Jeweled Steel in Canton, Texas. This moving piece honors lives, inspires hope, and offers peace to all who visit the Texas Hill Country. Donate to the River of Angels Cross 3. General Memorial CompletionYour tax-deductible gift of any size supports the ongoing construction, finish-out work, and maintenance of the memorial grounds. General Donation Link NOTE: Those impacted by the July 2026 flood will be included in The Hill Country Memorial Wall. |
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The Coming King Foundation
“Establishing free Sculpture Prayer Gardens across the world to bring glory and souls to Jesus Christ.”