 Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response L.E.R.T. (Lutheran Early Response Team) chainsaw teams were invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response and Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, LCMS Mid-South District President to assist Pastor Keith Enko at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage, Tennessee with tornado recovery in their community. On March 3, Nashville and surrounding towns experienced seven tornadoes that were on and off the ground for 150 miles, leaving a trail of destruction and sadly taking the lives of 24 people and injuring countless others. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, LCC Staff and forty-eight L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified team members completed their deployment this past week, serving 25 families affected by tornadoes in Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon and Donelson. They worked with Pastor Keith Enko at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage. The church intends to continue to assist the two families that have lost everything attending their Early Childhood Center, and to provide spiritual and emotional support to their community as they prepare for a long-term recovery.
Just wanted to take a moment and thank y’all for your great assistance during the tornado cleanup at our school. The love of the Lord was very evident in the lives of all your folks. Thank you again, and may God continue His blessings on you all, and continue His safety and protection to your group. Blessings, Danny
The team also worked on an elderly couples’ property for several days. The couple was given a slice from a tree with a cross and the team's signatures on it. After expressing their thanks, the man said that, when they rebuild their home, he would make a table out of this slice to always remember what was done for them in the name of the Lord.
LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers serve those in need after a storm - to bring the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ!
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Thank you to the churches, donors and volunteers who donated and put together items for the residents affected by tornadoes in Tennessee St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Beecher, Illinois and Zion Lutheran Church, Grant Park Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) Illinois, put together 30 flood buckets with cleaning supplies at their Spring Rally. They donated them to LCC for the L.E.R.T. volunteers to give to tornado affected residents in Tennessee on their deployment. The buckets were picked up by the Good Shepherd, Frankfort L.E.R.T. volunteers and blessed by Pastor Kevin Hahn before being sent with L.E.R.T. volunteer Joel Powless.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage, Tennessee will be placing them for distribution in their community food pantry as affected residents come for food and now much needed cleaning products.
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Des Plaines, Illinois put together 70 bags with children’s items, such as coloring books, crayons, books and a small toy for children affected by the tornado. Emmanuel Lutheran Church began giving them to affected families in their Early Childhood Center and will continue to use as they serve families in need. All of these donations are greatly appreciated and show the mercy and compassion of Christ to those suffering and in need. 
Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response L.E.R.T. (Lutheran Early Response Team) chainsaw teams were invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response and Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, LCMS Mid-South District President to assist Pastor Keith Enko at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage, Tennessee with tornado recovery in their community. On March 3, Nashville and surrounding towns experienced seven tornadoes in the early morning hours. Two of the reported tornadoes were rated an EF-4 storm by the National Weather Service. The tornadoes were on and off the ground for 150 miles, leaving a trail of destruction and sadly taking the lives of 24 people and injuring countless others.
Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, LCC Staff and fifty L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified team members are deployed this week, serving those affected by the tornadoes and will be returning Saturday, March 14. 
LCC thanks our L.E.R.T. volunteers for their hearts to serve: Illinois Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless Heartland, Normal – Tony Buchberger Immanuel, Belvidere – Tony Newton Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn, Lark Sanders Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay Lord of Life, LaFox – Matt Byars, Ken Johnston, Ken Kivaranta, Kevin Krage, Terry and Mary Kramer, Jeff Straughn, Larry Zagorski Messiah, Sterling – Jacob Beets Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley, Danny and Bobbie Swyndroski Redeemer, Peoria – Ken and Rhonda Kruse, Rebecca Lindholm Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm St. John, Wheaton – Jim Braun, Steve Chester, Jan Gerveske, Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Anna Piro, Tom Prickette, Rich Wren Trinity, Bloomington – Keith Marshall Trinity, Lisle – Mike Kostecki, Richard Schaefer Trinity, Roselle – Kristin Bilar Zion, Mascoutah – Jesse Baxter, Josh Peterson Other states Good Shepherd, Ft. Myers, Florida – Manfred Cholodewitsch Life Fellowship, Lewisburg, Tennessee – John Martin Messiah, Hayes, Kansas – Bob Warfel St. John, Lincolnville, Kansas – Ira Walker St. John’s, Dillsboro, Indiana – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbod St. John’s, Portage, Wisconsin – John Matheny 
Dr. Rev. Roger Paavola, LCMS Mid-South District President toured the areas of Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Donelson and Lebanon with Pastor Enko and Kathy O’Day. They also met with homeowners and LCC L.E.R.T. team members on site to offer prayers and to personally thank them for their willingness to serve those in need. It was very special that he took the time to come and express his support to the congregation and team.
Repeatedly we heard stories of survival that occurred as families heard the warnings to take shelter in the middle of the night. We have seen homes, schools and businesses destroyed, belongings lost, lives disrupted – but have also listened to thanks and praise to God for being with them in the midst of the storm and surrounding them with His protection. “It’s an incredible mission and ministry that they have. LCC has changed so many lives. They made an impact on us as a congregation, an impact on me as a pastor, and an impact on this community as well – one that won’t be forgotten!” – Pastor Keith Enko, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hermitage, Tennessee
Urgent Donations Needed to Help Emmanuel Early Childhood Center Preschool Families
Pastor Enko informed us that two families who send their preschool children to Emmanuel’s Early Childhood Center have lost everything due to the tornado. A single family home and an apartment building have been completely destroyed. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that we can help Emmanuel support these two families with the overwhelming task of starting over.
Giving Hope and Safety to a Recent Widow
Suzanne, a recent widow, told us how all her doors were blown in and bent and, therefore, she had to jump out of a broken window to exit her house. She, then, saw her neighborhood badly damaged and the trees her husband had planted uprooted and destroyed. She said she felt like those trees, now feeling uprooted from the safety of her home and what she holds dear damaged and destroyed. She appreciated that the LCC L.E.R.T. team listened to her story and cleaned up her property, but more importantly offered her hope that, through Christ, all will be made safe again.
Helping Neighbors with Extensive Tree Damage
An elderly gentleman and his two neighbors lost about 60 trees on top of the hill behind their homes. When we offered assistance to clear the trees and brought heavy equipment that could tackle the hill, they were overwhelmed with gratitude, as they did not know how they could have ever done all this work or been able to afford someone to do it.
Providing Compassion and Property Assistance to Elderly Couple
The LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. volunteers will continue to serve those in need by showing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please keep residents in impacted Tennessee communities in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. volunteers and staff during our deployment. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
60+ L.E.R.T. Volunteers with Heavy Equipment are Helping those Most Impacted
“You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.” 2 Samuel 22:29 
On Tuesday, March 3, at 12:45 am, Tennessee residents had a 3 – 6 minute warning that a powerful storm tracking 150 miles and producing an EF-3 tornado was hitting their community. The devastation caused at least 25 deaths, numerous injuries, massive structural damages to residential and commercial areas, and widespread power outages. There are still communities that cannot be entered for recovery efforts
Your Donations are Needed to Support 60+ L.E.R.T. Volunteers in Action!
LCC is sending a very large team of experienced L.E.R.T. volunteers for a week to make a big impact during this initial recovery effort. We need your financial assistance to help feed them for the week. All of the volunteers have driven many hours – many taking time off of work to volunteer – and are sleeping on the floors in a room at the church every night after a full day of physical work helping others. Your donations will help us take care of our volunteers!
Sixty-plus Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers brought a Bobcat, mini Bobcat, Ditch Witch, three tractors with grapples, 24’ dump trailer, 50’ boom lift, and two vehicles with 50 steel cable winches to help in tornado recovery.
Neighborhoods throughout the community have been devastated, some literally flattened. Families are still shaken by the experience and overwhelmed with the task ahead of them. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers will be present in the communities of Hermitage, Donelson and Mt. Juliet to show residents mercy and compassion while assisting in the physical recovery of their property.
Showing the Love of Jesus with Helping Hands for Hurting Hearts!
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please keep residents in impacted Tennessee communities in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff during our deployment.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 24 Deaths, Multiple Missing, 30 Rescue Workers Injured, Hundreds Devastated “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
In less than 8 hours, LCC Disaster Response received an invite from Rev. Ross Johnson, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response Director and Mid-South District President Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola to go into Nashville, Tennessee. LCC NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE TO RAISE FUNDS TO HELP FAMILIES, HELP CHURCHES, AND PREPARE FOR DEPLOYMENT!  Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response are deploying out this Thursday morning to meet with Mid-South District representatives and local pastors to do assessments to get things ready for L.E.R.T. Chainsaw teams to deploy. Kathy O’Day is in close contact with Pastor Keith Enko from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage, Tennessee and Pastor Andrew Smith from Heavenly Host Lutheran Church, School and Early Childhood Center in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Pastor Smith reports that one member home has been destroyed and he still cannot make contact with 3-4 members. He cannot get through many areas of town; at least 40 homes in town totally destroyed; still trying to contact church and school families. “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 Please keep all the above people in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy out in various locations. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
 Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw teams were invited by Angela Fowler, Congregation President from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, to assist with tornado recovery in their community. On January 10, the towns of Olive Branch, Hernando, and Lewisburg in DeSoto County experienced two tornadoes in the early morning hours. The first of two reported tornadoes was rated an EF-1 storm by the National Weather Service with an estimated wind peak of 100 miles per hour, was 200 yards wide, and traveled 11.3 miles. The second tornado was rated an EF-2 storm with an estimated peak wind gust of 120 miles per hour, was 300 yards wide and traveled 8.25 miles.  LCC Director of Disaster Response, Kathy O’Day and twenty-seven L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified team members completed their deployment this past week, serving 14 families affected by tornadoes in Olive Branch and Hernando, Mississippi. They worked through Beautiful Savior in partnership with Eight Days of Hope – Rapid Response. These L.E.R.T. team members spent six days cutting and removing many fallen and damaged trees that completely covered the yards of many homeowners, as well as removing dangerous leaning and dangling limbs.  The LCC L.E.R.T. team served three homeowners representing four generations of a family. Their large properties had multiple trees down and dangerously hanging trees. Grandma had tears of joy and praise for the work completed and presentation of the cross and quilt to her from the team. She sent a text message to the team leader the next day, “We are so thankful for you helping us. Y’all are awesome! The boys and I just prayed for your team’s safety and safe travels home. Thanks again!”  The LCC L.E.R.T. team served 78-year-old Mr. Smith whose parents had built the home he currently lives in. He is the caretaker of his older brother who needs regular trips to the VA. The chainsaw team cut approximately 100 fallen or damaged trees on his property. While they weren’t able to move it all to the street, they made significant progress. Mr. Smith was very pleased as he never thought it would be able to been done at all.
Another homeowner, Larry, knew God was watching over him as he took shelter in his closet during the tornado. He had no idea how he was going to clean up any of the extensive damage to his property. He was thankful for the LCC L.E.R.T. team assistance over the two days it took to clear the destruction the tornado had left behind. Everyone enjoyed taking the time to talk and pray with Larry. He loved the cross we made for him out of one of his many damaged pine trees that he had planted with his dad when he was 7 years old.
This is why L.E.R.T. teams serve those in need after a storm - to bring the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need! During this deployment, our LCC volunteer L.E.R.T. teams took heavy equipment, such as the 50’ boom lift, dump trailer, two Bobcats and a tractor with grapple. These were used extensively during the week to move heavy trees, and cut dangerous trees and limbs from roofs. Due to our heavy usage, we have some equipment that now needs repairs in order to be able to send it back out when needed. The cost of repairing a cracked windshield and seal on the Bobcat, replacing a gasket and couplings of broken grapples, and covering gas expenses for volunteers who are donating the use of equipment and their time totals $2,675.00. Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw teams were invited by Angela Fowler, Congregation President from Beautiful Savior in Olive Branch, Mississippi, to assist with tornado recovery in their community. On January 10, the towns of Olive Branch, Hernando, and Lewisburg in DeSoto County experienced two tornadoes in the early morning hours. The first of two reported tornadoes was rated an EF-1 storm by the National Weather Service with an estimated wind peak of 100 miles per hour, was 200 yards wide, and traveled 11.3 miles. The second tornado was rated an EF-2 storm with an estimated peak wind gust of 120 miles per hour, was 300 yards wide and traveled 8.25 miles.  LCC Director of Disaster Response, Kathy O’Day and twenty-six L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified team members are currently deployed this week, serving those affected by the tornadoes and will be returning home on Saturday, February 1. They are working through Beautiful Savior in partnership with Eight Days of Hope – Rapid Response, a non-denominational Christian, non-profit organization that exists to demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus Christ by serving those in need based in Tupelo, Mississippi.  L.E.R.T chainsaw volunteers serving from Illinois and Indiana this week: Illinois Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless Lord of Life, LaFox – Larry Zagorski Immanuel/Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley, Steve MacKay, Dan and Bobbie Swyndroski St. John, Shobonier – Fran Collins St. John, Wheaton – Rachel Chester, Steve Chester, Palmer and Judy Goodwin, Marty Johnson, Jeff Johnston, Roy Rose, Ken Rosenwinkel, Dave Schlesselmann, Rich Wren St. Paul, Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich St. Peter, Schaumburg – Ken Kivarata Trinity, Lisle – Mike Kostecki Zion, Ottawa – Dave and Cindy Reif Indiana St. John, Dillsboro – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod  On Sunday, January 27, Dr. Rev. Roger Paavola, Mid-South District President, attended worship with the LCC L.E.R.T. members at Beautiful Savior in order to meet and personally thank them for their willingness to serve in their district and to let them know what a blessing they are for what they do. It was very special that he took the time to come and express his appreciation to all.  L.E.R.T. volunteers spent the first few days cutting and removing many fallen and damaged trees that completely covered the yards of several homeowners, as well as removing dangerous leaning and dangling tree limbs. Vance, one of the homeowners, told the team about how he heard the tornado coming toward him at 4:30 am. He barely had time to make it into a closet for cover before it was over him. He told of hearing the trees cracking and falling, his roofing shingles popping off, and he truly expected his big trees to crash through his house on top of him. He said it felt like an eternity but it was over in 6 seconds. When he came out of his house, there were about 40 trees down and twisted all around his house.  Many were resting on his roof, but not crashing through, blocking his driveway, his shed twisted, and his deck destroyed – but no major damage to his house. He said he knew God was watching over him and it was a miracle. He had no idea how he was going to clean up any of the extensive damage to his property. He was so thankful for the LCC L.E.R.T. assistance over the two days it took to clear the mess the tornado had left behind and everyone enjoyed taking the time to talk and pray with him. The LCC L.E.R.T. team will continue to work this week, serving as many as possible during their deployment. Please continue to keep all those affected by disasters in prayer as they begin the arduous recovery process.  LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.  210 Homes Damaged or Destroyed in DeSoto County “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw teams have been invited by Angela Fowler, Congregation President from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, to help impacted families recover from devastating damage as a result of back-to-back tornadoes that hit the same county.  On January 10, the towns of Love, Hernando and Lewisburg in DeSoto County experienced two tornadoes on the same day. The first of two reported tornadoes was rated an EF-1 storm by the National Weather Service with an estimated wind peak of 100 miles per hour, was 200 yards wide, and traveled 11.3 miles. The second tornado was rated an EF-2 storm with an estimated peak wind gust of 120 miles per hour, was 300 yards wide and traveled 8.25 miles. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reports that 210 homes have been damaged or destroyed in DeSoto County.  LCC Director of Disaster Response, Kathy O’Day will be arriving in Olive Branch, Mississippi on Thursday, January 23 to begin assessments and meet with Beautiful Savior and Eight Days of Hope. Approximately 29 L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified team members will deploy January 25 through February 1. We will work with Beautiful Savior in partnership with Eight Days of Hope – Rapid Response, a non-denominational Christian, non-profit organization that exists to demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus Christ by serving those in need based in Tupelo, Mississippi. They are already on the ground cleaning up damage and deploying volunteers out of Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch. According to Mrs. Fowler, Longview Heights is one of the largest churches in their local ministerial association, which has the capability to house and feed large groups of volunteers willing to serve their communities. Join LCC in keeping our volunteers and this community in your prayers as they begin to work through the recovery process.
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.  Pastor Ed Brashier, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator has asked Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers to be on standby for a possible deployment for chainsaw assistance after the tornado outbreak earlier this week throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Please keep all those devastated by these recent storms in your prayers, as it is especially difficult as they prepare to celebrate Christmas. May they have the hope Jesus Christ brings to the world.
LCC LERT volunteers continue to make a difference by showing those affected by disasters LCC’s mission to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need as we serve in this community. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. |
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