Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response and Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) have been asked to remain on standby at this time in responding to the tornadoes that tore through Tennessee and Kentucky on Saturday, December 9. The Montgomery County, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has told Pastor Trae Fistler of Faith Lutheran Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, through which LCC LERT volunteers would be working to provide assistance for the community, they cannot accept any more volunteers to assist with tree and debris removal at this time. The roads are impassable in much of the town, utilities are still in the restoration phase, and residents are being overwhelmed by those coming into the town as they are still trying to assess their own damage. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Mid-South District Disaster Response Coordinators will remain attentive to needs and continue to be available for assessments, and remain in communication with the EMA director in these upcoming weeks in order to determine when a response will be more beneficial for the community.
Lutheran Church Charities, the Northern Illinois District Disaster Response Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT), has been asked by Jan Simko, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Mid-South District Disaster Response Coordinator, to deploy to Faith Lutheran Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to provide assistance from an EF-3 tornado with 150 mph winds that occurred on Saturday, December 9. This tornado was on the ground through Clarksville, Tennessee, and multiple rural towns in Kentucky for 43 miles and just over an hour, causing the loss of three lives, many injuries, and significant damage to hundreds of homes, businesses, schools, infrastructure, and vehicles in both states. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Chainsaw Team Leader Pete Springmire will arrive in Hopkinsville on Friday, December 15, to assist Pastor Trae Fistler in assessing the damage. LCC LERT volunteers will arrive on Sunday, December 17, to begin work on Monday, December 18, continuing through Saturday, December 23
We look forward to BEING THERE to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are in need at this time.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. BE THERE with LCC to show them the love and presence of Jesus! On Saturday, October 28, LCC held a Basic LCMS LERT training for new and recertifying team members at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bourbonnais, Illinois, led by Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response. There were a total of sixteen in attendance from the following teams or churches in Illinois and Indiana: Good Shepherd, Frankfort Peace Lutheran, Beecher Prince of Peace, Palatine St. Paul’s, Bourbonnais Christ Lutheran, Valparaiso, Indiana It is good to see how the disaster response ministry is continuing to grow with volunteers willing to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ in service to those suffering and in need. Lutheran Church Charities Attends Annual LCMS Disaster Response Conference in St. Louis, Missouri9/12/2023
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma) and her team attended the conference and presented how they responded to a local disaster in Oklahoma with their church’s L.E.R.T. team. They also shared what the LCC K-9 Ministry teams have done and can do in other areas of the country after a disaster in partnership with local L.E.R.T. teams. While attending the conference, L.E.R.T. team member Christel Springmire assisted Forged by Fire, an LCMS Recognized Service Organization (RSO), to cook and serve southern food for Concordia Seminary students at the annual Jambalaya Fest they host. Kathy O’Day, Anna Piro, Marty Johnson, and Pete Springmire spoke with seminary students about what LCMS L.E.R.T. is and how its program and volunteers can be the church and serve those affected by a disaster. For many seminary students, this is their first introduction to L.E.R.T. Share the Comfort Event During the conference, Rev. Chris Singer was invited to speak at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Missouri, about the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog, Disaster Response, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, and Human Care ministries.
These master’s degree students from across the globe wanted to hear how L.E.R.T. responds to disasters so they could learn how to assist their churches and organizations prepare and care for a disaster-filled world. The students were divided into three groups and given real-world scenarios to discuss/solve before they were provided with how the scenarios actually played out. They asked questions and then toured the St. John’s L.E.R.T. trailer. They hope to serve people from a uniquely Christian perspective in disaster ministry, emergency management, humanitarian aid, and public and mental health fields. It is a privilege to be asked by Joy Lee and Jamie Aten from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute to share with the incoming class each year.
Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. volunteers completed work at thirteen homes as a result of these recent storms. We continue to be available to serve as needed. LCC never goes where we are not invited. |
Mr. N., a King of Glory Church member, lost 60 trees surrounding his entire property as well as his garage, shed, and some of his home’s roof. Upon arrival, his home and property were not visible because of the amount of tree damage. After two days, his property was cleared of all downed and damaged trees by L.E.R.T. volunteers. |
The Lord of Life, LaFox L.E.R.T. team leaders that worked at his home last week noted how devastated the owner was with the loss of all his trees and privacy. While working on another property in this neighborhood, they returned to Mr. N.’s home and presented him with a cross and his first replacement tree. Mr. N. was overwhelmed with gratitude for these gifts, and the Christ-like mercy and compassion continued to be shown to him. Lutheran Church Charities disaster response and L.E.R.T. teams are continuing to receive calls for assistance in cleaning up from these tornadoes and will respond as requested. | LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve! |
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response immediately reached out to all of the churches in the affected areas to see if they, or any of their congregation members, were affected. Fortunately, most were EF-O tornadoes causing minimal and localized damage that was able to be cleaned up by owners, neighbors, and public works.
| The only EF-2 tornado was in South Elgin, which heavily damaged a neighborhood with King of Glory Lutheran Church members. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and thirty-five Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers spent July 13 through July 16 assisting ten homeowners with removal of approximately 125 downed trees, a lot of limbs, and widow makers. Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. teams were able to serve in both Nashville and Elgin, Illinois, simultaneously. |
One homeowner lost sixty trees surrounding his entire property, as well as his garage, shed, and some of his home’s roof. Upon arrival, his home and property were not visible because of the amount of tree damage. After two days, his property was cleared of all downed and damaged trees. He was so appreciative of all of the assistance as he knew he could not do this on his own or afford what a tree company would have charged. This tornado has definitely changed his landscape and view, but he thanks God for keeping his family safe and providing brothers and sisters in Christ to help him in his time of need. | |
One of the women in the neighborhood told us she prayed all day after the tornado happened for God to send angels to clean up the yards and He did. He sent neighbors helping neighbors, the township, and your L.E.R.T. team. She thanks God for answered prayers.
LCC Disaster Response is still receiving requests for assistance. It is a privilege for LCC and our L.E.R.T. volunteers to serve in the name of the Lord!
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
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