"I will strengthen you and help you." (Isaiah 41:1)
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UPDATE: May 21, 2025
LCC begins disaster response deployment in tornado-stricken Missouri, other states 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. 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. READ MORE |
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Photo Credit: Missouri District Disaster Response
Posted: May 19, 2025
LCC bringing disaster response assistance to tornado-stricken communities across Plains and Midwest states. LCC supporting LCMS Districts in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky after storms leave path of destruction.
After tornadoes and severe weather left a swath of devastation and damage across Missouri, Kentucky, and other states this weekend, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) is deploying LCC Disaster Response teams to provide chainsaw assistance and debris removal with heavy equipment at multiple sites this week. LCC Care Teams trained in Spiritual First Aid™ are standing by to mobilize and travel to affected areas.
The series of storms that began Friday and continued through Sunday night killed at least 27 people, injured dozens, uprooted numerous trees, and damaged hundreds of homes and buildings across the Plains and Midwest states, including the campus of Concordia Seminary and Park in St. Louis.
News outlets are describing the devastation as a “mass casualty event.”
LCC is calling on its supporters to pray for families and individuals affected, as well as LCC’s preparations to serve the Missouri, Southern Illinois, and other Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) districts, plus working alongside other Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) participating in recovery efforts. Also, please pray for weather conditions to allow for ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts.
Earlier today, 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 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 is ready to BE THERE to bring HOPE TO THE HURTING!
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.
Thanks to you, Lutheran Church Charities will BE THERE as long as necessary to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling, suffering, and in need.
At LCC, we never go where we are not invited. We never charge those we serve.
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.
May the LORD open doors for these teams to deliver the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus.
Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!
LCC bringing disaster response assistance to tornado-stricken communities across Plains and Midwest states. LCC supporting LCMS Districts in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky after storms leave path of destruction.
After tornadoes and severe weather left a swath of devastation and damage across Missouri, Kentucky, and other states this weekend, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) is deploying LCC Disaster Response teams to provide chainsaw assistance and debris removal with heavy equipment at multiple sites this week. LCC Care Teams trained in Spiritual First Aid™ are standing by to mobilize and travel to affected areas.
The series of storms that began Friday and continued through Sunday night killed at least 27 people, injured dozens, uprooted numerous trees, and damaged hundreds of homes and buildings across the Plains and Midwest states, including the campus of Concordia Seminary and Park in St. Louis.
News outlets are describing the devastation as a “mass casualty event.”
LCC is calling on its supporters to pray for families and individuals affected, as well as LCC’s preparations to serve the Missouri, Southern Illinois, and other Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) districts, plus working alongside other Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) participating in recovery efforts. Also, please pray for weather conditions to allow for ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts.
Earlier today, 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 and Kentucky, as well as engaged in conversations with LCMS pastors in the affected regions.
- In the Missouri District, District Disaster Response Coordinator Kris Schuldt reports that the tree damage is extensive around parts of St. Louis and will require much LERT chainsaw assistance. More than 100 trees have fallen at Concordia Seminary and at least 60 more at the Park. The campus chapel and two apartment buildings were also damaged by falling trees.
- In Springfield, Missouri, residents are still cleaning up from an EF-2 tornado in early May, and DR Director O’Day will help with damage assessments this week and assist in recovery responses.
- In the Southern Illinois District, the town of Marion was struck by an EF-4 tornado with 190 mph winds, causing major destruction. Just today, the district has gotten into the town to assess damage, and LCC Disaster Response is available to help if called upon.
- In the Mid-South District, multiple towns in Kentucky, including London and Somerset, suffered widespread destruction and 17 fatalities. LCC has made contact with District Disaster Response Coordinator Rev. Trae Fistler and local LERT volunteers who are working across the area for assistance.
- In the Kansas District, tornadoes hit the towns of Grinnell and Plevna last night. LCC is offering assistance to District Disaster Response Coordinator Donna Williams, who will do preliminary assessments when it is safe to do so.
“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 is ready to BE THERE to bring HOPE TO THE HURTING!
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.
Thanks to you, Lutheran Church Charities will BE THERE as long as necessary to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling, suffering, and in need.
At LCC, we never go where we are not invited. We never charge those we serve.
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.
May the LORD open doors for these teams to deliver the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus.
Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!
