Gilbert Furst Will Lead Lutheran Disaster Response

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, 57, Wescosville, Pa., was appointed to direct Lutheran Disaster Response and Domestic Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), beginning July 1.  The appointment was announced at a Lutheran Disaster Response board meeting here Feb. 3.
     Furst succeeds the Rev. Leon A. Phillips, Jr., Wescosville, who will retire July 1.  Phillips has served as director of Lutheran Disaster Response -- a joint ministry between the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) -- and director of the ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response since 1988.
     In a telephone interview Furst said, "It's been a privilege and an honor to work with Leon Phillips and to watch how he enables the church to live out it's theology in helping other people in their time of need."
     Furst said he hopes Lutheran Disaster Response will "keep the ability of the two churches to continue to respond at high and compassionate levels."
     "In response to the still growing number of domestic disasters (natural and human-made) in 1996, and the retirement of Phillips on the near horizon, Furst was appointed associate director of the ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response," said the Rev. Charles S. Miller, executive director, ELCA's Division for Church in Society.  That same year Furst was appointed associate director for Lutheran Disaster Response by Miller and the Rev. Richard L. Krenzke, executive director for LCMS' Board for Human Care Ministries.
     Furst earned a master of divinity in 1966, a master of sacred theology in 1975 and a doctorate degree in ministry in 1983.  All three degrees were earned at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.
     From 1983 to 1996 Furst served on the staff of the ELCA's Northeastern Pennsylvania synod.  He served as pastor for Christ Lutheran Church, Freemansburg, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven, and Cedar Lutheran Church, Allentown, Pa.
     "The ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response is the means through which the ELCA acts on its own in support of its synods, congregations, pastors and maintains a long-term presence of the church where required," said Miller.
     Lutheran Disaster Response is a ministry between the ELCA and LCMS that provides emergency response immediately after a disaster.  The response is often characterized by support of a local response team, providing emergency supplies, offering pastoral care and counseling, coordinating volunteer efforts in relief and rebuilding, and providing grants to victims, as well as interfaith and community efforts.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html