So many of you have written or texted me asking how the seminary is doing in Jackson (because you have seen the national news), that I thought that I ought to give a brief report. Short answer: by God’s grace, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson has been able to begin the semester and continue classes on campus through the area flooding and through the City of Jackson water problems.
He is the situation. The heavy flooding we have experienced in the Jackson metro area contributed to a failure at the main water treatment facility in the city. Bottom line: water pressure is low or non-existent across much of the city (I understand that west and south Jackson are especially impacted), and the all the water is unsafe to drink (or even to brush your teeth with). We remain on a boil water alert. The seminary campus lost all water yesterday afternoon by 4pm CT, but thankfully we got some pressure back today. We have now brought in water trucks and portable facilities which we will keep in place until the crisis abates. We were able to hold classes today, and plan to tomorrow as well. Thankfully, the flooding in the area was not as bad as feared.
Pray for the city churches, that they will be able to meet for worship, and will serve our neighbors well in this crisis. Pray for the seminary students, staff and faculty that we will be able to provide for their well-being, safety and comfort, and that we will be able to continue the work of the seminary, especially in the classrooms and counseling clinic. And pray for the leadership of the city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi. This is a very expensive and extensive problem and there is no easy or short-term fix.