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.
Lutheran Church Charities and Southern Illinois District L.E.R.T. teams spent 980 volunteer hours assisting sixty-one families by removing trees, damaged limbs, and debris with chainsaws, boom lift, bobcats, and tractors.

She couldn’t believe the work the volunteers got done to make her property safe again. While she watched the team work, volunteers also sat and talked with her.
The team carved a cross in one of her trees and presented her with a cross slice signed by all. Through many tears of happiness and hugs, she thanked everyone over and over.
Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn
Immanuel, Palatine – Chris Johnson
Lord of Life, LaFox – Mark Holstein, Max Metz, Bill Pietsch, Larry Zagorski
Messiah, Sterling – Jacob Beets
St. John, East Moline – Bill and Debbie Girard, Ken and Janet Hill
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Wayne Scott
Indiana
St. John, Dillsboro – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
Wisconsin
St. Paul, Grafton – Mark and Beverly Brueggemann, Stu Natale, Kaye Voss
St. Paul, Janesville – Lark Sanders
LCC extends our thanks to the Southern Illinois District and the congregation of Trinity Lutheran for their wonderful hospitality. And a special thanks to Pastor David and Rachel for hosting the L.E.R.T. volunteers at their home for a steak cookout. A wonderful time was had by all. It was so great doing the Lord’s work together! |
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response in Southern Illinois to Help Storm-Impacted Communities
7/11/2023
On Monday, July 10, Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO; Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response; Pastor David Benning, Matt Bierman, and George Acosta, LCC Chief Operating Officer joined Kathy in Southern Illinois to visit affected homeowners and see the L.E.R.T. volunteers in action.
This congregation member told us he did not need help to clean up his farm property but reluctantly accepted it with some urging. After the work was done, he was happy with the result and how professional we were. He posted a sign on the main highway in and out of town thanking the L.E.R.T. volunteers for all to see this week. It was a surprise and brought smiles to all of us.

Kathy called one of the LCC L.E.R.T. teams that were serving that day, and they came directly over to her home. They removed the tree limbs from her roof, patched a hole, reattached loose siding and a roof vent, and then tarped the roof to protect it from leaking into her home. Kathy even sent the pictures of the repairable hole and work done to protect the roof to the adjuster, who, after looking at them, called Mrs. P. and told her they would repair the roof.
Over the time we were there, she went from tears to smiles. She was so pleased and kept telling us we were her angels sent by God to take care of her.
He also enjoyed visiting with the team, especially during the lunch break. He was very pleased with the cross presented to him.
Last week Bryce Cramer and a few LCC and Southern Illinois District L.E.R.T. volunteers went to work at a home. The homeowner told them they could work, but he needed to leave immediately as his four-month-old granddaughter was being put into the hospital with pneumonia and difficulty breathing. Before he left, the team prayed with him. On Monday night, the mother posted a thank you to the L.E.R.T. team on the Washington County Talk Facebook page that was forwarded to us.
To the wonderful group who cleared our trees: we can't thank you enough. Not only did you help us clear damage we couldn't, but you were there for us in other ways. Today was a scary day for our little family. You didn't know us yet when you heard our daughter was being sent to the ER, and you held a prayer for her with my father. That's small to some, but to this mom, it meant the world. Thank you for your kindness, we needed it on a week like this. I hope our community treats you well, and you know how much we appreciate you. I hope whoever you are, you see this.
This reminds us that we do make a difference in the lives we touch by providing the mercy, compassion. presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response Invited to Help Storm-Impacted Communities in Illinois
7/4/2023
On Thursday, June 29, a derecho (land hurricane) and straight-line winds moved through the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee over seven hours. It covered 520 miles with sustained 60 – 125 mph winds causing destruction to structures, trees, crops, and power poles. At one point, it was estimated that approximately half-million homes and businesses were experiencing power outages, some of which will last for days. Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response has been invited by Bryce Cramer, Lutheran Church-Missouri (LCMS) Southern Illinois District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC), to deploy to Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville, Illinois, to provide chainsaw assistance with heavy equipment and debris removal. This community experienced 90 mph straight-line wind damage on June 30. |
We NEVER charge those we serve!
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