When governments are unable or unwilling to provide necessary relief to communities, local faith-based congregations (FBCs) step in and fill the gap. Though shown to provide for so many needs following disaster, FBCs have largely been left out of the institutional emergency management cycle. The aim of this study was to explore the role of FBCs in the disaster response and recovery process and investigate how recovery impacts FBCs. The primary objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of FBCs and how to better integrate them into the formal emergency management process.The main questions were as follows: First, what is the role of FBCs during the disaster recovery process? Second, how do FBCs change (temporarily and permanently) during disaster recovery, and what factors may promote or inhibit change? To answer these questions, qualitative semistructured interviews were held to develop a case study of Katy, Texas and its recovery from Hurricane Harvey of 2017. The applied and conceptual implications resulting from this study, which apply to FBCs, researchers, emergency managers, and policy makers, highlight the opportunity to better incorporate FBCs formally into emergency management practices.

Photograph a granite marker at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. Marker reads: "No 15 Mexican Breastworks"

Photograph a granite marker at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site with the Monument rising in the background. Marker reads: "No 17 Almonte captured and greatest carnage of battle occurred."

Photograph a granite marker at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site with the Monument rising in the background. Marker reads: "No 14 Mexican Cannon"

Photograph a granite marker at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. Marker reads: "No 19 Houston wounded and horse killed under him during battle"

Photograph a granite marker at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site with the Monument rising in the background. Marker reads: "No 13 Mexican Breastworks Cavalry Engagement Under Lamar April 21, 1836"

Photograph a granite marker at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. Marker reads: "No 16 Santa Anna's Camp"

Aerial photograph of the Reflecting Pool and San Jacinto Monument at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas.

Aerial equirectangular panoramic photograph of the San Jacinto Monument at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas. View is from the southeast above the marker noting the place where Houston was injured.

Aerial photograph of the San Jacinto Monument at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas. View is from the southeast above Santa Anna's camp.

Aerial photograph of the San Jacinto Monument, Reflecting Pool, and Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas.

Aerial photograph of the San Jacinto Monument at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas. View is from the southeast above the marker noting the place where Houston was injured. The reflecting pool and Battleship Texas are visible in the distance.

Elevated view of the B.R. Brigham Monument, located on the grounds of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas.

Aerial photograph of the San Jacinto Monument, Reflecting Pool, and Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas.

Nighttime Aerial Photograph of the San Jacinto Monument and reflecting pool at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas.

Aerial photographs of the Battleship Texas, docked in La Porte, Texas.

Aerial photographs of the Battleship Texas, docked in La Porte, Texas.

Aerial photographs of the Battleship Texas, docked in La Porte, Texas.

Aerial footage of the Battleship Texas, docked in Site in La Porte, Texas. Video footage is silent.

Aerial and B-roll footage from the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, Texas. Clips feature the San Jacinto Monument, reflecting pool, granite markers, as well as water and landscapes across the site as seen from various elevations. Video footage is silent.