Six Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Teams from three states, plus LCC Care Teams from Illinois, will deploy Friday to Southern California to offer compassionate care and support for Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations impacted by the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles County.
 
LCC teams will lead two Community Care events on Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Venice, CA, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, CA. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams from California, Nevada, and Washington will be on hand to listen to congregation members and area residents, pray with them, and offer pets and cuddles with the golden retrievers.
 
These events are designed to bring hurting community members together to process the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of a disaster, to be vulnerable in the presence of others, and, ultimately, to experience a taste of the hope found only in Jesus.

The need is great. About 20 families from Pacifica Christian High School, which conducts classes from Pilgrim’s campus, have lost their homes. Pilgrim also has welcomed members of Pacific Palisades Lutheran Church and is conducting joint worship services together. 
 
“The devastation from these tragic and truly unprecedented fires is widespread and stunning, and it will require a multifaceted response by our entire LCC team,” said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. “We are blessed to be partnering with our churches on the West Coast. Our first step will be to care for the hurting with a ministry of presence, administering and training with Spiritual First Aid™ and providing that golden comfort of our K-9 teams."

On Sunday after worship, LCC Care teams will lead Spiritual First Aid™ Rapid Training workshops at First Lutheran Venice, CA, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, CA, plus two more sessions at the Pacific Southwest District office in Irvine on Monday and Tuesday.
 
After training, LCC Disaster Response and Care teams will assist congregation members in engaging their communities with basic needs and the love of Christ.

“Please pray today for the families and individuals who have been impacted — so many have evacuated and are anxious about their loved ones and homes," Rev. Singer said. "Pray also for open doors as LCC meets together with Synod, District, and Church leaders to encourage, collaborate, and mobilize faith into action. Your earnest prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated."

For many years, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Reuben and his dedicated handler from First Lutheran in Yuba City, CA, have fostered deep and trusting relationships with the brave first responders in Sutter County. These invaluable connections paved the way for the Comfort Dog Ministry teams Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California) and Rahab (St. Andrews - Stockton, California) to step in during times of unimaginable loss, offering comfort and support to those who serve our communities selflessly.
 
In light of the recent heartbreaking losses in Sutter County, including an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have stepped forward to provide much-needed emotional support to those affected. Invited by the Sutter County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney, Micah, and Rahab Comfort Dogs, along with their dedicated teams, spent two impactful days with local law enforcement and emergency responders, including the Sheriff’s office, District Attorney’s office, Yuba City Police Department, and the Sutter County Fire Department These brave men and women, who confront tragedies daily, often bear an emotional burden that can be overwhelming.
 
Through gentle interactions and comforting presence, the K-9 Comfort Dogs help alleviate some of this stress and grief. Testimonials from officers and staff highlight the profound impact of these visits, as they reflect on moments of solace and connection amidst the chaos. LCC remains committed to bringing hope and healing during these challenging times, reminding us all that we are not alone in our sorrow.
 
LCC's mission is rooted in bringing hope and healing through faith-driven actions, and the compassionate presence of our comfort dogs serves as a beacon of support in the darkest of times. By standing alongside our first responders, we exemplify the power of community and the importance of trust in healing the wounds of crisis.
 
We pray for all those who respond when a crisis occurs in our communities for God’s protection, peace, comfort, and clarity.

During their last day in New Orleans last Tuesday, the teams presented hearts to the Orleans Parish Coroner, the director of Project NOLA, and Jeremi, one of the victims of the attack who was recovering in the hospital.

A parent losing a child is not the natural order of things, and inconceivable to most.  When LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah (LCC Staff) and her handler went to Parkland Preparatory Academy in Bartlett, IL, this week for an Emergency Site Visit request, it was definitely God’s plan for them to be there.  The staff was struggling to accept and care for one of their own staff members who had lost a son fairly recently, and last week her daughter was tragically killed. 

Hannah Comfort Dog and her handler were requested to be a support and comfort for the staff after the unexpected death of a previous staff member who is the daughter of a current staff member at the school. And while the grief was palpable, there were also some smiles as Hannah lay her head on their laps, and they prayed for their friend and co-worker.

While they were there, another grieving teacher – after losing a brother – was concerned for his mother and how she would handle the loss.  Hannah Comfort Dog and her handler were there to comfort him, too, and be an encouragement for him as he cared for his mother.  As it has been shown so often, God has a plan – and uses his people, and his soft, loving creatures, to be there for each other.

Lutheran Church Charities staff and LCC affiliate churches and volunteers were on the ground in New Orleans, Louisiana, this weekend through yesterday to bring HOPE to the brokenhearted and grieving community after the devastating New Year’s Day attack in the French Quarter that claimed 14 precious lives, ages 18-63.

“As we woke up in the morning of the new year, we were devastated to learn of the tragic news in New Orleans. Our hearts are broken for the 14 lives senselessly lost, for their loved ones and families, and for the many who were injured and scarred by this incident,” said Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO. “We lift our prayers up for them and ask that the Holy Spirit would be near to them now amid the sorrow and hurt. I am grateful for our teams who arrived in New Orleans, as they truly delivered the hope and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

Rev. Eric Johnson, President of the LCMS Southern District; Rev. Paul Ernewein, District Disaster Relief Coordinator for the Southern District of the LCMS; and Rev. Gregory T. Manning, pastor of Broadmoor Community Church and formerly of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in New Orleans, invited LCC to bring Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), K-9 Comfort Dogs, and LCC Spiritual First Aid™ Care Teams to grieve with those who have been deeply affected by the tragic incident, including law enforcement officers, and to provide spiritual and emotional support. The teams ministered together in the French Quarter and in various other areas around New Orleans for four days.

​On Monday, the LCC Teams had the privilege of presenting Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to Police Captain Lejon Roberts and Lieutenant Travis Ward of the 8th District NOPD. These gifts were a heartfelt expression of gratitude for their unwavering service to the New Orleans community during these challenging times.
 
“You could tell that the Captain was deeply moved when he learned that his community members had signed the heart. The weight of the world seemed to lift from his shoulders as he realized he was not alone in his struggles; the love and compassion of those around him enveloped him like a warm embrace,” shares Sarah Sekki, LCC Director of HMC.

We were touched by NOPD 8th District’s Instagram post thanking us for the gesture: “A heartfelt THANK YOU to Sarah and the Hearts of Mercy and Compassion Ministry and Lutheran Church Charities, for honoring our brave officers with the beautiful hearts sign and the blue cross memorials on Bourbon and Canal Street for the victims. This kind gesture for the police officers of the eighth district is truly touching and appreciated.”
 
Day in and day out, law enforcement officers witness unimaginable tragedies and face challenges that many of us cannot comprehend. The weight of responding to mass casualties, violent crimes, and relentless calls for help takes a toll on their hearts and minds. Their work never truly ends, yet they continue to serve with courage and dedication, sacrificing so much for the safety of their communities.

We were blessed to be joined by Rev. Ernewein, who offered prayers with law enforcement, asking for strength, protection, and peace for those who serve. “The entire station house came together in a beautiful display of unity. They paused their meals and joined hands, lifting their voices in prayer, creating a powerful atmosphere of hope and healing. It was a moment where faith intertwined with community spirit, demonstrating that during times of crisis, we find strength in togetherness,” Sarah said.

We were honored and humbled to be present with the New Orleans community in their pain, offering comfort, compassion, and the hope of healing.
 
We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support received from our donors and volunteers, whose generosity enables us to provide comfort to those in need in New Orleans.
 
Together, we can bring light into the darkest of times and continue to be a beacon of HOPE and healing to those suffering and in need. Thank you for walking alongside us!

We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the names of the victims, acknowledging their lives and the love they shared with others. Let us collectively hold their families in our hearts and prayers, as they seek healing.

Andrew Dauphin (26)
Kareem Badawi (18)
Brandon Taylor (43)
Hubert Gauthreaux (21)
Matthew Tenedorio (25)
Ni'kyra Dedeaux (18)
Nicole Perez (27)
Reggie Hunter (37)
Martin Bech (27)
Terrence Kennedy (63)
Elliot Wilkinson (40)
William DiMaio (25)
Edward Pettifer (31)
LaTasha Polk (47)

Recently, our teams for LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eden (Peace - Columbus, Nebraska), Katie & Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), and Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska) provided loving support to the community of West Point, Nebraska, as they mourned the passing of Jill Recker, a cherished para-educator. With their gentle presence, our dogs helped bridge the gap between grief and healing, reminding everyone that they are not alone in their sorrow.

Jill loved education and working with children. She loved playing games and cards, attending her daughters’ events, and taking walks. She was an avid sports fan, never missing the opportunity to cheer on her beloved Chicago Cubs and Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Jill battled cancer for many years; she was a fighter with a deep faith in Christ. The principal, students and staff were saddened by her death and will miss seeing her each day. Comfort Dogs Eden, Katie and Phinehas spent time at St. Paul Lutheran School, West Point, NE on Tuesday sitting with the students and teachers letting them know they are loved, seen and cared for as they continue to process the loss of Mrs. Recker.

The heartfelt gratitude expressed by Principal Quick and Pastor Gierke reflects the deep impact our ministry has on those facing such challenging times.