Led by professional counselors Dawn Petersen of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas, and Jeanette Singer of Lord of Glory Grayslake, the LCC Care Team paid special attention to the biological, livelihood, emotional, social, and spiritual unmet needs of the residents of Ruidoso, who had endured so much tragedy and internalized it for months. 

The Care Team started its ministry of caring by handing out a Heart of Mercy & Compassion at Shepherd of the Hills to Pastor Jason Rust and his wife Rebecca (pictured at right) during Sunday service, followed by a pastor-to-pastor dinner among the Singer and Rust families. The Rusts have been on the frontline of ministering to the community for the summer and fall. Pastor Rust is also a volunteer firefighter in town. 

HMCs were also presented to officers at the Ruidoso Police Department and to officials at Ruidoso town hall, all of whom bravely helped evacuate community members at the height of the wildfire.

Over three days, the LCC Care Team visited more than a dozen locations, encouraging residents across a spectrum of backgrounds — hospital ER staff, first responder dispatchers, firefighters, nursing home and assisted living center residents, property owners, and mobile home park residents, Boys & Girls Club children — all of them with anxieties about the fire and flood. 

Workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency helped by pointing out additional people who could benefit from extra attention and care.
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LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis with handlers Steve and Roxy Hurry of King of Kings Lutheran Glenpool, Oklahoma, were welcomed by dog lovers at fire stations and nursing homes. One woman who had the ashes of past golden retrievers in urns in her room delighted at Persis’s calm presence.  

“The Care Team was able to experience meaningful moment after meaningful moment,”said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. “We encountered people who were putting on a brave face after months of coping after so much of their town was decimated. Some were guarded and slow to talk about what had happened. Others were more willing to share what they were going through. But one thing was clear — all of them needed to hear the hope and joy of Jesus that can be experienced no matter the circumstances.”

​On Tuesday, at one of the final ministry stops of the trip, Persis Comfort Dog and her handlers the Hurrys, plus other LCC Care Team members, played and talked with a group of children at the Ruidoso Boys & Girls Club after-school program.

The LCC Care Team listened to their stories about wildfire smoke filling the sky and how they had to hurriedly flee to shelters with their families. Afterward, the children sat down and wrote about what the visit meant. One child summed it up: "I forgot about all of my problems." 

The visit lasted only an hour, but the joyful interaction seemed to be a divine appointment for the kids to experience peace and hope for a short time.

READ MORE about the Disaster Response part of the deployment

21 TRAINED, CERTIFIED BEFORE SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY

A day-by-day account of LCC Disaster Response ministry work:

Friday, October 11

The deployment started with Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Marty Johnson, LCMS and LCC Chainsaw Instructor, meeting with members of Shepherd of the Hills to assess damage in the region caused by the wildfire. The LCC Disaster Response team also got to check out an equipment trailer the church purchased with grant money supplied by the Disaster Response division of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The trailer is outfitted with a workbench and shelves to hold saws, personal protective equipment (PPE), gasoline, bar oil, and other tools for church members who are certified in Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training. Many thanks to the Synod. With these supplies, volunteers will be preparedto serve their disaster affected community and share the hope of Christ.

Saturday, October 12

Marty Johnson, LCMS and LCC Chainsaw Instructor, taught nine members of Shepherd of the Hills how to operate a chainsaw, drag safely, and fell, buck, and limb trees. “It was a very good day and all felt they learned a lot in both the classroom and working in the field,” O’Day said. “All the saws and PPE were used from their new team trailer. On Monday, this new LERT team will start helping homeowners clear burnt trees from their properties with LCC guidance. They are excited to be the hands and feet of Christ to their neighbors.”

Sunday, October 13

Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Marty Johnson, LCMS and LCC Chainsaw Instructor, taught basic Lutheran Early Response Training (LERT) to a group of 21 students from three churches: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Ruidoso, New Mexico; Mission Lutheran Las Cruses, New Mexico; and St. John’s Lutheran, Orange, California. All 21 were certified and now form the newest LERT team in the LCMS Rocky Mountain District. “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,” O’Day said.

Monday, October 14

The new Shepherd of the Hills LERT chainsaw crew worked at the homes of two congregation members to remove numerous burnt and damaged trees. Homeowners are responsible to clear their property of these trees before they can rebuild or sell their home, according to town bylaws. Insurance does not cover these costs. “Both homeowners were so appreciative of having this removal work done by their own church family,” O’Day said. “It was a privilege to watch these volunteers enthusiastically begin to develop their team and minister to those they will be serving. ​

READ MORE about the LCC Care Team part of the deployment.

Our amazing apprentice trainers and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in-training gathered for a Fall Festival potluck! It was a beautiful time of fellowship, delicious food, and a few fall-themed training activities!

One of the most special things about these gatherings is seeing all of our apprentice trainers supporting and encouraging each other—not just in the work of training the dogs, but in every aspect of life. Whether celebrating victories in training or walking alongside one another during personal challenges, our volunteers are there for each other like family. It’s a reminder that we’re not just training dogs, but building life-long friendships as well! Together, we’re stronger and better equipped to serve those in need.

We are so thankful for our volunteer apprentice trainers, who give their time, love, and endless patience to help shape the next generation of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.

LCC LERT volunteers invited by LCMS, Southeastern District
LCC Disaster Response LERT volunteers have been invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, LCMS Director of Disaster Response and the Southeastern Disaster Response Team, to provide chainsaw assistance in and around Asheville, N.C., and Hendersonville, N.C. 

These LCC Disaster Response teams also have been asked to provide mucking and gutting work; distribute meals, water, and supplies; and provide spiritual and emotional care.

Specific assignments and response locations will be determined in real time, said Sally Hiller, Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southeastern District. Details are fluid and changing as the response continues, she said.

“This disaster is unlike any we have ever seen, so planning has been challenging, said Kathy O’Day, Director of LCC Disaster Response, who will deploy with LCC LERT volunteers from October 21 to November 9. “The Southeastern District leadership and local pastors are very glad we are coming to serve alongside them to offer the hope of Christ to their hurting communities.”

Food and supplies headed to North Carolina
A pallet of food and supplies from LCC is on the way to Immanuel Lutheran in Asheville, N.C., and St. Peter’s Lutheran in Conover, N.C. Both congregations will hand out the provisions to families in need via car lines at their church properties.

LCC also is looking to train LCMS churches across the Southeast and Mid-South in Spiritual First Aid™ and crisis response care.

LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry will deliver HMCs to first responder agencies and the families of fallen first responders across North Carolina.

As schools regain power and return to classes, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams will arrive to visit children, teachers, and administrators.

LCC is monitoring Hurricane Milton
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response team is watching the track of Hurricane Milton, which explosively grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 threat with winds as high as 180 mph on Monday.

Milton was expected to vacillate between a Category 4 and 5 menace as it churns in the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters are projecting a landfall on early Thursday morning near Tampa, Florida.

In the midst of Hurricane Helene response efforts, LCC will be prepared to work with the Florida-Georgia District to deploy when it is safe to do so.

Last week the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry responded to the request from Julie Hatch, Social Worker at Conkin Elementary School, Rockford, Illinois, after the sudden death of their beloved 5th grade teacher Mr. Wagner who taught at Conkin Elementary for the last 12 years.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams for Eunice (LCC Staff), Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) were at Conkin Elementary School on Friday to spend time comforting and loving the 300 students and 20 staff members who were impacted by this tragic loss. 

The Comfort Dog Ministry teams spent extra time with the current fifth-grade students and last year's fifth-graders who had been in Mr. Wagner’s class. A couple of fifth graders came back repeatedly to spend time with Comfort Dogs Eunice, Samson, Rejoice, and Mary. 

God allowed the team to share love and compassion with a very sad school community.  The handlers could see the hurt that was felt with the loss of a much-loved teacher. The Comfort Dogs gave what was so needed; unconditional love and acceptance. This ministry is not just about providing comfort; it is about embodying the love of Christ and reminding those in pain that they are not alone.

The 77th Mission of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight flew on Saturday, October 5 from Mitchell Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Aboard the flight were 116 veterans and their guardians. This day is dedicated to reflection, remembrance, and healing as the veterans visit national monuments in Washington D.C.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and her handlers had the honor to be up early and meet and greet each veteran and their guardians as they checked in for their day and received their tickets. Charity made sure they were relaxed and ready to smile big for their memory book photo.

Later in the evening, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), and LCC Kare 9 Ministry Dogs Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin) and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) sat at attention while their handlers thanked each veteran for their service and welcomed them home-something some never received after their service to our country.

In turn, many veterans stopped to say hi. Some were overcome with emotions seeing the five of LCC K-9 Ministry teams standing at attention waiting for them. The veterans found a place to collect their thoughts and say how thankful they were for the teams being present to welcome and encourage them. One veteran even saluted the team for what they did for them that night.

It’s always such an honor to be present on these special days. This flight was called the “Flight of Champions” which is exactly what the teams for Charity, Sage, Tobias, Samson, and Mary saw in each and every veteran – a true Champion and Hero!

It has been a very busy six months for the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.  As of May of 2024, the ministry has held eight regional gatherings that included handlers, ministry partners, and Top Dogs from twenty-seven states. 

At these regional gatherings, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams participated in Spiritual First Aid (SFA) training and certification. The SFA training equips the handlers and ministry partners with additional tools to care for others struggling with everything from mild stress to mass trauma. It is an amazing opportunity for the Comfort Dog teams as they continue to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are in need.

We are excited to share that over 620 individual Comfort Dog Ministry team members have been trained and certified in Spiritual First Aid as a result of these regional gatherings. 

Last weekend, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry held its last regional gathering for 2024.  The gathering was hosted at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Missouri, where 14 Comfort Dog Ministry teams and four soon-to-be LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were present from Missouri, Tennessee, central and southern Illinois.

At this wonderful gathering, there was much fellowship, learning, and growing together. The handlers also enjoyed some refresher training of handling skills as they trained with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Thomas, Jessy, Esther, Jordan, Daniel, Tabby, Zillah, Sheba, Noah, Boaz, Dinah, Rachel, Job, and Comfort Dog in training Zion. It was a lot of fun incorporating the ministry partners into the training. 

Lutheran Church Charities thanks God for the wonderful turnout of over 110 handlers and ministry partners who came together from the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams:

Boaz Comfort Dog - Christ the King Lutheran Church, Lake Ozark, Missouri
Daniel Comfort Dog - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Joplin, Missouri
Jessy Comfort Dog - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Concordia, Missouri
Noah Comfort Dog - Timothy Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri
Sheba Comfort Dog - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Missouri
Tabby Comfort Dog - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Missouri
Thomas Comfort Dog - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Concordia, Missouri
Zillah Comfort Dog - Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri

Dinah Comfort Dog - Trinity Lutheran Church, Auburn, Illinois 
Esther Comfort Dog - Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Collinsville, Illinois
Jordan Comfort Dog - Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Collinsville, Illinois
Rachel Comfort Dog - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charleston, Illinois

Job Comfort - Christ the King Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee

Soon to be LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams:
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee - 2nd Comfort Dog Ministry team
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Missouri - 2nd Comfort Dog Ministry team
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Missouri – 2nd Comfort Dog Ministry team
Trinity Lutheran Church, Auburn, Illinois - 2nd Comfort Dog Ministry team

The time spent together in fellowship, support, and love is what made the regional gathering so special. It is amazing how God works and brings so many people together for a common purpose; to serve together in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.

The teams also shared a very special video message and prayer to a young woman in Ashville, North Carolina who is deeply impacted by the destruction that Hurricane Helene brought to her home community. This small gesture was appreciated by her.

We are deeply touched by the kind words of Sarah Fahey, Service Chair of Alpha Kappa Psi, Xi-Psi Chapter at Illinois State University, who reached out to express her gratitude for the recent visit of our K-9 Comfort Dogs at their service event. The emotional support offered by our furry companions made a significant impact, transforming the atmosphere and helping participants feel more at ease.

After much time praying, preparing, and practicing, October 6th became the day that LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abednego and his team were commissioned at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. 

Abednego and the team greeted churchgoers at the church services that morning along with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana); Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin); Emma; Eunice (LCC Staff); Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin); Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois); and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois). 

Abednego also made a special appearance during the children’s chat.  Joe Ferwerda (handler) talked about Abednego’s abilities to make people feel better, calm them, and make them smile.  He noted for the children present that they, too, have special abilities given to them by God – and that they are specially made to do God’s work.

After receiving many gentle touches, hugs, and congratulations on Sunday, Abednego and his team, along with the congregation at Immanuel are looking forward to using the abilities that they have been given to reach others in their community and beyond, being there for them, and connecting them to Jesus.

Abednego Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Daniel 3:28 - Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and rescued His servants! They trusted in Him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

Immanuel Lutheran Church handlers and caregivers for K-9 Comfort Dog Abednego include: Top Dog Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek, Wende Bryson, Joe Ferwerda, Shanna Laird, Chris Linden, Rachel Linden, Cathy Seegers, LuAnn Toborg, and Krista Welke.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence.  When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him.  Immanuel Lutheran Church’s Comfort Dog Ministry team has heard the call and has said, “Here I am. Send me.”  God is with them as they begin this new journey as part of the LCC K-9 Ministry.

Please keep LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Abednego and the team at Immanuel in your prayers for God’s guidance as they go out to share with so many who are hurting and alone, the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ.