Supercell storms slam 2 states

All 4 LCC ministry areas bringing support to tornado victims and communities in Michigan, Oklahoma

A string of tornadoes tore through Michigan and Oklahoma late last week, killing at least six people, injuring dozens, and leaving a scene of destruction in small towns Union City, Edwardsburg, and Three Rivers, plus four more deaths in a separate storm in Major County, Oklahoma, in the western part of the state, and two more perishing in Beggs, south of Tulsa. 

The victims included a mother and son; mother and daughter; a set of grandparents, a daughter-in-law, and a grandchild; and an elderly couple. 

Leadership from all four Lutheran Church Charities ministry areas — Disaster Response, LCC Cares, K-9 Comfort Dogs, and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion — are working with the District Disaster Response Coordinators, area pastors, church leaders, town mayors, and LERT volunteers in both states to assess damage and coordinate tangible support, while bringing comfort and compassion to families, neighborhoods, and communities devastated by the storms. 

​Late Tuesday, LCC also was monitoring storms across the Northern Illinois District. 

HELP LCC BE THERE - Tornado Recovery Fund

In Michigan, LCC was invited to assist Pastor Paul Doellinger of St. Paul Lutheran in Cassopolis, MI, who is assessing disaster sites for chainsaw work and debris removal in Edwardsburg, where a tornado was on the ground along the main drag for more than a half-mile and took the life of a 12-year-old boy. LCC LERT volunteer Dave Reif is meeting with neighbors needing assistance.  

In Oklahoma, officials were coordinating a Level 1 damage assessment as Pastor Scott Burmeister of Christ The Redeemer Lutheran Church of Tulsa connected with Roger Merrill, mayor of Beggs, which saw its school hit hard. LCC was working with residents setting up a command post in the parking lot of Crossroads Baptist Church and with First United Methodist Church on making sack lunches for schoolchildren. LCC has sent an Amazon order of supplies to assist, which will be followed by additional aid.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis (Christ The Redeemer – Tulsa, OK) and team and a LCC Cares team joined him to provide frontline emotion and spiritual support. On a second visit, the group plans to bring Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, plus additional volunteers trained in Spiritual First Aid™ to listen, assess, and care. 

Current plans include deploying Lutheran Early Response Team volunteers this week for disaster response work, felling trees, and hauling debris to burn piles. 

LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer is calling on LCC supporters to pray for the families of the victims and individuals affected by the storms as recovery continues. 

"The loss of life and destruction in Michigan and Oklahoma is heartbreaking," said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. "Our hearts join with those who are grieving. LCC will be present in both states with teams to provide care and help with recovery."

LCC is able to offer this early response care because of generous and faithful donors and volunteers who are willing to give and serve. Your support can help us BE THERE to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling, suffering, and in need. 

If you are compelled to give, please donate to the HELP LCC BE THERE - Tornado Recovery Fund. Thank you for sharing in the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities. 

Please keep the communities in Michigan and Oklahoma in your prayers. May the LORD open doors for volunteers to deliver help, hope, and healing in the name of Jesus.

Thank you for being a part of Lutheran Church Charities ministries.

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