Disaster Response

LCMS pastor cares for first responders after Amtrak derailment

The train, which was carrying 275 passengers and 12 crew members, derailed in Mendon, Mo., about 100 miles northeast of Kansas City.

Rebuilt seminary dedicated in Nagercoil, India

The dedication took place less than five years after the campus was destroyed by Cyclone Ockhi.

‘What if?’ Disaster responders learn lifesaving strategies

On April 7 and 8, approximately 30 disaster response leaders from around the Synod gathered to study “How to Stay Alive in a Crisis.”

Ministerial Care Coalition holds annual meeting

The coalition — a collection of representatives from around the Synod — supports and fosters conversations about church worker wellness.

Photo essay: A photographer’s look back at 2021

LCMS Managing Photojournalist Erik M. Lunsford shares some of 2021’s definitive moments.

‘The kingdom ours remaineth’: Member of Augusta church loses wife in tornado

A historic outbreak of tornadoes on Dec. 10 and 11 impacted communities across eight states, damaged an LCMS church and killed a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Augusta, Mo.

‘Never done learning’: Disaster Response holds conference in St. Louis

The conference, held Oct. 6–8, drew 78 attendees from 20 districts. 

Mission board gets uplifting overseas reports

The LCMS Board for International Mission met Sept. 23 and 24 in St. Louis.

‘Church in a messy world’: BOD looks back on pandemic year

The LCMS Board of Directors met Aug. 26 in St. Louis.

World events receive church’s response

As the world has experienced a series of disasters and international events of far-reaching consequences, the LCMS has responded with prayers, encouragement and financial support.

Impact of Hurricane Ida continues days after landfall

In the days since the Category 4 storm made landfall and continued inland across the Southern and Eastern United States, it is estimated to have caused at least 65 deaths and more than $50 billion in damages.

LCMS missionaries displaced by Ethiopia flooding

The seminary of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) in Addis Ababa was also severely damaged, and several people died.

Haiti suffers 7.2 magnitude earthquake

LCMS World Relief and Human Care Disaster Response has begun to evaluate and respond to the situation.

Lutheran Early Response Team unveils new website

The website will better facilitate the work of LCMS Disaster Response at both the local and national level.

LCMS mission boards hold first in-person meetings in more than a year

The Board for International Mission met May 27–28, and the Board for National Mission met June 10–11. 

Pandemics don’t stop disasters — or the church’s response

Natural disasters continued to strike even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And LCMS Disaster Response continued to respond with mercy, aid and the message of hope found in Christ.