Lutheran Church Charities would like to thank Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona, for the invitation to participate in the annual Best Practices for Ministry Conference last week. With more than 2,400 ministry leaders in attendance, LCC was honored to be included.

Lutheran Church Charities President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer and LCC staff members Libby Cheser, Tim Hetzner, Dona Martin, and Denise Snider represented LCC’s ministries of Human Care (HC), Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), K-9 Comfort Dog (K-9), and Disaster Response (DR). The LCC staff shared information about our ministries while connecting with ministry workers. They explained our goal to “be there” with those suffering and in need and illuminated how LCC comes alongside churches and their leaders to equip and serve their communities.

Rev. Singer also presented a breakout session titled “Until They Know You Care”, explaining how LCC can partner with churches to care for those in their community who are suffering and in need by sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ. Tim Hetzner, Ambassador for Spiritual Growth, led a breakout session sharing lessons learned from the beginnings of LCC’s ministry.

Last week, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia), Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland), and Solomon (King of Glory - Williamsburg, Virginia) and their compassionate handlers served the community of Sterling, Virginia, bringing Jesus' light and love to many who were suffering, scared, hurting, and in need, following a catastrophic explosion that destroyed a family's home and took the life of a Sterling Volunteer Firefighter, Trevor Brown.
 
Firefighter Brown was also a veteran who served our country as a U.S. Marine. He was a stay-at-home dad of three young children. Ten other Sterling volunteer firefighters and two residents were injured in this horrible explosion as well, including Mr. Diamond, an 8th-grade teacher at Lunsford Middle School.

During these times of tragedy, God is at work for us and with us. "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 God often works in and through His people to love, care for, and comfort others. God calls us and guides us where we need to be to share his love, hope, and security.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia), Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland), and Solomon (King of Glory - Williamsburg, Virginia), and their compassionate handlers were there last week to be with the staff and students of the Loudoun County elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. They provided a safe, comforting, and reassuring place for the youngsters and teachers to go to process the shock, fear, and loss they were experiencing. The teams were invited by Jennifer Evans, Director of Unified Mental Health for Loudoun County Schools. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos is known by students and staff in Sterling for his regular visits to one of the elementary schools.

The Comfort Dogs and their teams visited Meadowland Elementary School, Discovery Elementary, Seneca Ridge Middle School, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, high school, and other schools in the district. Meadowland Elementary in Sterling, Virginia, serves 430 students. One student lives across the street from the house and all the windows on her home were shattered. One student was home alone when the explosion happened.

These children were invited into a special breakfast reception at the school where counselors were on hand, music, arts and crafts, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Amos and Kezia were waiting for them. The students were allowed to stay as long as they needed before going to their classes.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers then spent time at Discovery Elementary School, where Trevor Brown's three children attend 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. They were not at school on Tuesday but returned on Wednesday as Comfort Dog Amos and Solomon welcomed them back. On Tuesday, Amos, Kezia, and Solomon were there for their classrooms. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams were honored to be able to be there, to show them that they are loved and that they are surrounded by caring people.

The Comfort Dogs and their handlers finished the day at Lunsford Middle School, home of 1,300 Lions, including Mr. Diamond, an 8th grade English and Civics teacher who is also a volunteer firefighter. Mr. Diamond was found severely burned in the basement of the home that exploded and is expected to be in the burn unit for another 4 weeks. His wife is also a teacher at Lunsford, and they have four children. Mr Diamond is a beloved teacher who has been at the school since it opened, and the staff are devastated for his family.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams spent most of their time on Tuesday with the staff and then visited some of the classes that both husband and wife teach. The principal commented that the entire mood changed when the handlers arrived with the Comfort Dogs. Peace, relief and joy. came over the staff, and they were thankful for their presence.

We are incredibly thankful for your support, which makes it possible for us to BE THERE where we are needed most. Your donations are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people our dedicated teams of volunteers are able to help during tragedies like this. The love, healing, and comfort we are able to provide are a direct result of your generosity.

Last Friday, a horrible tragedy happened in the community of Osage Beach, Missouri, when four teenagers were in a serious car accident. Moses Claxton, a sophomore student at Osage High School, was killed when the vehicle struck a tree. Moses was only 16 years old. Moses’ parents are staff members at Osage High School, where he also attended. Moses’ loss is felt by his parents, brothers Sawyer and Gideon, friends, teachers, and all those who knew and loved Moses and his family.

“Friends, family, and strangers alike were charmed by his gentle grace and generosity that belied an adventurous and fearless streak.” Two other students injured in the car accident on Friday were taken to the hospital with severe injuries, and a fourth teenager with mild injuries. We pray for these three young people for God’s healing, courage, and strength as they move forward after this tragedy.

We are incredibly thankful for your support, which makes it possible for us to BE THERE where we are needed most. Your donations are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people our dedicated teams of volunteers are able to help during tragedies like this. The love, healing, and comfort we are able to provide are a direct result of your generosity.

Lutheran Church Charities is always recruiting new volunteers to help train these amazing animals. We will have more puppies arriving soon and need more volunteers to nurture and train them. If you are interested in joining us on this mission, please contact LCC at [email protected] for further information or visit our website.

Last week, 12 new handlers from seven affiliate churches across six states joined the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry staff for Handler Training at LCC Headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois.

These dedicated individuals immersed themselves in learning new handling skills and deepening their understanding of the ministry's mission. They diligently trained with their affiliate's comfort dog or with LCC's K-9 Comfort Dogs in training.

We are thrilled to welcome these compassionate individuals who have answered the call to serve their communities, spreading the message of the mercy, compassion, and presence of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Cornerstone - Carmel, Indiana, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Magdalene
Kelly Howe
Judy Mihalik

Trinity - Toledo, Ohio, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Claudia
Debbie Fahncke
Leslie Wilt

First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lois
Larry Gaugert

Immanuel - St. Charles, Missouri, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Zillah
Rev. Ryan Taylor
Emily Hoff

King of Glory - Williamsburg, Virginia, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Solomon
Brian Kastl
Christine Kastl

St. Luke's - Oviedo, Florida, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Moriah
Nikki Peters

St. Paul's - Des Peres, Missouri, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tabby
Jim Linden
Lynn Linden

Lutheran Church Charities is honored to welcome Brian Kastl, (U.S. Army) to the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry.

Also last week, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry conducted an intensive Top Dog Training session welcoming leaders from six LCMS affiliates. Each LCC K-9 Ministry team has a leader, known as Top Dog, who guides, motivates, encourages, and manages the team. 

“If God has called you to lead, let nothing stand in the way of the privilege you have to serve Him and to serve His people through applying the gift, the resources, and the opportunity He has provided to you.” George Barna, Leaders on Leadership

Eight leaders traveled from California, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin to Lutheran Church Charities in Northbrook, Illinois, to enhance their skills in guiding, motivating, and managing their teams. The training equips these individuals to serve God and His people through the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry effectively. The training not only provided knowledge about their roles but also fostered a sense of unity among the leaders, turning strangers into a close-knit family bonded by their shared mission.

Please welcome LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry’s new Top Dogs:

Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin
Abigail Bekx
Becky Kilvinger

Emmanuel - Clovis, California
Doug Richardson

Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois
Steve Harrison

Our Savior - Louisville, Kentucky
Amy Romines

St. Luke’s - Federal Way, Washington
Stephanie Pariseau

St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
Dennis Rusch

St. Michael’s - Bloomington, Minnesota
Leah Cook

Pastor Marty Marks of Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb, Illinois, is grateful for your financial assistance for Danika and her family during their time of need. We are sharing an update that Rev. Marks received from Danika.

Lutheran Church Charities is partnering with Faith Lutheran Church in Carpentersville, Illinois, to open a third Hospitality House. The congregation made the decision to use their parsonage to provide housing for an out-of-state family in need. The father has severe complications from Covid and needs a double lung transplant, and the nearest hospital that can perform the procedure is in Chicago. In order to be eligible for the surgery, the family must live within 50 miles of the hospital.
 
The family, Mr. and Mrs. Jensen and their five adopted children, are devout Christians who have always been generous and sacrificed for others. They are now in need of assistance and are relying on their Christian family to help them during this season of life. This partnership between Lutheran Church Charities and Faith Lutheran Church is a wonderful example of how communities can come together to support those in need.

Faith Lutheran Church is a very small congregation that is doing as much as possible to make the Hospitality House ready for the family. They have been working hard to make progress by connecting with local organizations for donated supplies and services and hosting fundraisers while church members contribute their own resources to make this house a welcoming home.
 
Despite their efforts, the church is struggling with the cost of supplies needed for repairs. They are now seeking financial contributions from generous donors like you to continue their mission. Their goal is to raise $2,000 to install new flooring in the kitchen, bathrooms and living room. 
 
Please join us in supporting Faith Lutheran by making a financial contribution and be a part of this great ministry. Your support will go a long way in making the Hospitality House a welcoming home for the Jensen family. Please consider making a donation today and help Faith Lutheran Church continue their important work. Let's come together as a community and make a difference in the life of this family in need!

Thank You to the Helpers
 Lutheran Church Charities extends its heartfelt gratitude to Faith Lutheran Church for their unwavering commitment to answering God's call to help this family in need. We commend the pastor, church members, and Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) from Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Frankfort, and McHenry County for their hard work in restoring the home to a livable condition. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Inland Consultation for providing free mold and mildew testing services to ensure the safety of the family. Thank you for your selfless acts of kindness and generosity.