International News Archives

Philippines Relief Infographic

On Nov. 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan tore through the Philippines, killing more than 6,000 people and damaging or destroying more than 1 million homes. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) quickly stepped in, offering grants to its partner church body, the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), and sending a team to plan for the island nation’s long-term recovery. Download this infographic to learn more about how the LCMS is walking alongside the LCP to rebuild lives, homes and spirits.

Video: Missionary Service of Sending – 2014

The February 2014 new missionary orientation culminated in a special Service of Sending Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) International Center in St. Louis. During the service, the new missionaries received certificates of completion for LCMS Missionary Orientation, and they, their spouses and families were prayed for.

Feeding the hungry at Antsirabe blind school

See photographs from the Antsirabe blind school on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, in Madagascar. LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison visited the school, which was the recipient of an LCMS emergency grant after the Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, LCMS Director of Church Relations, learned that the children were malnourished due to budget cuts from European partners when he toured the school last October.

President Harrison visits Madagascar

See photographs of LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison as he visits a Lutheran church near Antsirabe, Madagascar, on Feb. 5, 2014. Harrison addressed the opening of the Fiangonana Loterana Malagasy synodical convention.

Seminary dedication in Ghana

See photographs from the dedication of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Greater Accra, Ghana. LCMS President Rev. Dr . Matthew C. Harrison and ELGC Bishop Paul Fynn lead the ceremony. Photographs by Erik M. Lunsford, staff photojournalist in LCMS Communications.

Touring the Old Latin School in Wittenberg, Germany

Members of the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg meet at the Luther Hotel in Wittenberg, Germany, tour the reconstruction work at the Old Latin School in the city center, and visit the Luther House. Photographs by Erik M. Lunford, staff photojournalist at the LCMS.

A Light in the Darkness-Typhoon Haiyan Relief

See the effects of a devastating typhoon in Leyte province, Philippines, and watch how the LCMS responds with witness, mercy and life together.

LCMS Eurasia mission team expands by two

This month, two LCMS deaconesses were commissioned in the mission field. Deaconesses Ashley Prothro and Elizabeth Ahlman were inducted into the ranks of the Concordia Deaconess College and are set to fulfill their calls in the Eurasia mission field.

Philippines Disaster Update: Your Gifts at Work

During the distribution stage, the team loaded 5 large trucks and traveled nearly 36 hours to reach the typhoon disaster areas on the island of Leyte. The tired and hungry victims were so happy and hopeful at the thought and anticipation of receiving food and water.

LCMS relief effort media links

Collected here are links to news coverage of the LCMS response to Typhoon Haiyan.

Typhoon Haiyan: A report from the Philippines

The Rev. Ross Johnson, director of LCMS Disaster Response, provides a report from the Philippines as the church provides immediate relief and begins planning to assist with the long-term recovery.

Typhoon Haiyan Update: Report from the Field

The Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of LCMS Disaster Response, reports from Tacloban City, the Philippines, that conditions remain dire 10 days after one of the strongest storms in recorded history tore through the island nation. Listen to his stark report which Merritt was able to make upon finding a clear cell signal while on his search for fuel for the vehicle carrying the LCMS relief-assessment team.

LCMS Team Heads to Philippines

In this Skype report from the Detroit airport, Deaconess Pamela Nielsen of LCMS Communications talks with two of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) disaster response team members who left Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, for the Philippines — the Rev. Ross Johnson, director of LCMS Disaster Response, and the Rev. Michael Meyer, manager of LCMS Disaster Response.

Typhoon Haiyan update with Pres. Cerdeñola

The Rev. James Cerdeñola, president of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP), shares this update in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, which wreaked havoc across the Philippines on Friday, Nov. 8. Rev. Cerdeñola has been in contact with LCP officials, Mindanao District officers, as well as the local ALERT team (Active Lutherans Emergency Response Team) as they mobilize in the Philippines to extend the mercy of Christ.

Typhoon Haiyan: Images of a disaster

These images from the Associated Press show the destruction ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan as it barreled across the Philippines Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. News reports indicate that more than 10,000 people are feared dead.