Andrews Church of the Brethren water ministry receives district support

The Church of the Brethren’s South Central Indiana District is helping to raise funds for the water ministry of Andrews Church of the Brethren at the district conference to be held this Saturday, Sept. 13. All funds from the Handmade Auction at the district conference will go to the water ministry, said a district announcement.

The following write up by Tim Troyer, pastor of Huntington Church of the Brethren and moderator of the 2025 district conference, tells the story of the water ministry:

“For over 30 years the water in Andrews, Indiana has been contaminated with a cancer causing chemical. The chemical (a byproduct of the production plastics) was used to wash car parts at a local factory. The waste was merely dumped on the ground near the facility. Now, all three municipal wells have been contaminated with levels that can be over ten times the maximum allowable limit.

“Dan Kochensparger, pastor of the Andrews Church of the Brethren lives in a house directly across the street from the facility and in addition to contaminated water has the vapor from this chemical contaminating the air in the house he shares with his wife and family. While advocating for his own personal needs, Pastor Dan has responded to the nudging of the Holy Spirit and turned this tragedy into an opportunity for ministry.

*An image from the Andrews Church of the Brethren page on the South Central Indiana District website*

“Upon reflection to Pastor Dan sharing at a district board meeting about the situation in Andrews, Kristen Roop (member of Lafayette Church of the Brethren) suggested that water be collected at our 2024 district conference to distribute to affected residents in Andrews. Water and money was collected but the supply was exhausted in a few months. Uncertain as to how to obtain more water and the funds to sustain this handout, Pastor Dan prayed that if God could strike a rock and make the water flow, surely God could provide water for this water ministry to continue. Dan reached out to me and I then sent out a request for assistance to other congregations and found a source to provide a truckload of water. A truckload of cases of bottles of water was purchased from Crystal Geyser water with money provided primarily by the Andrews Church of the Brethren. A subsequent truckload of water that was in 1 and 2 gallon jugs was obtained. Money has been donated by several churches in the district and some have assisted in the water handout. The Andrews water ministry was firmly established. Since then a district grant was secured and recently another truckload of 1 gallon jugs was obtained.

“The ministry initially served 20-25 families a week, but is now serving over 55 families. Each family is given a case of bottles and 2 gallon jugs, which doesn’t fully meet the amount of water an average family uses each week for cooking and drinking. The Andrews Church of the Brethren is a small congregation with limited resources.

“However, this ministry is having a significant impact, since 5 people have attended services since the beginning of the ministry and 3 are attending regularly now. In addition, many will ask for prayer when receiving water and the congregation has built strong relationships with the families being served. Pastor Dan reports that this ministry has really given the congregation new life and encouragement. A small act of kindness is furthering the kingdom of God.

“The situation in Andrews, Indiana is stuck between seemingly intractable positions of politics, power, influence, money, and affected residents. The water handout will likely be needed for quite some time.

“‘For I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,’ Matthew 28:35b.”

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