 For Concordia Seminary St. Louis, a spirit of praise fills the hearts of faculty, staff, and students this week. Last Friday, severe weather struck the campus a few hours after the Theological Diploma Service ended, resulting in widespread tree damage and debris in the area. Commencement exercises were pushed back 24 hours, but there was reason to be grateful. “First and foremost, I thank the LORD that no one was hurt during today’s storm,” said Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger through Concordia’s website and social media. “Even amid the debris and disappointment, we give thanks for the many students, staff and volunteers who have already stepped in to help clean up and prepare for today.” The storms that hit parts of St. Louis were part of a larger weather pattern that included multiple tornadoes over three days in multiple states in the Plains, Midwest, and Mid-South, leaving a trail of devastation and damage. Across eastern Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, at least 28 people perished with scores injured, countless trees uprooted, and hundreds of homes damaged. In response, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) is deploying nine LCC Disaster Response volunteers from the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin districts to St. Louis Thursday to Sunday to work at Concordia Seminary. That team, and other teams, will provide chainsaw assistance and debris removal with heavy equipment at multiple sites this week to serve the Missouri, Southern Illinois, and other Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) districts. LCC will work alongside other Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) participating in recovery efforts. Additionally, a LCC Care Team trained in Spiritual First Aid™ is mobilizing to help Rev. Gerard Bolling of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Louis, which is serving as a call center, distribution hub, and a shelter. With many stores without power, there is urgent need for tangible goods, such as diapers, and food. The Care Team is delivering the first round of critical care supplies this week.  Preparations began on Monday when Rev. Ross Johnson, LCMS Director of Disaster Response, invited LCC to help the Synod with recovery after an EF-3 tornado struck parts of St. Louis. LCC volunteers will travel there this week for cleanup work and assistance to the community. LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer and LCC Disaster Response Director Deaconess Kathy O’Day have been in communication with District Disaster Response Coordinators in Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky, as well as engaged in conversations with LCMS pastors in the affected regions.
“So many lives in so many areas have been upended and torn apart. Families are entering this week without loved ones, homes, power, and basic needs. They need our prayers and our help right now.” Rev. Singer said. “LCC is preparing to be there with them, ready to offer emergency assistance, tangible support, and most importantly, the comfort and hope found only in Jesus Christ.” LCC can provide this assistance because of faithful, generous donors and volunteers who are willing to support and serve. “The financial support you can offer right now will go directly to helping families and LCMS congregations across the region and bring hope to the hurting,” Rev. Singer said. Your earnest prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated by the many people overwhelmed by these storms and those who are responding with help. LCC asks that its supporters to pray for families and individuals affected, as well as LCC’s preparations to serve, along with favorable weather conditions to allow for ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts. If you are compelled to give, please donate to the May 2025 Tornado Outbreak Response Fund. Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities. Comments are closed.
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