CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Domestic Disaster Response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will provide emergency assistance to survivors of tornadoes that struck Oklahoma and Kansas May 3.
Initial reports indicate that at least "45 lives were lost and more than 1,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for the ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. Dozens of tornadoes swept through Oklahoma City and its suburbs. The same storm system produced tornadoes in southern Kansas.
Furst said emergency supplies will be provided to volunteers who will help with the initial cleanup of debris. The ELCA will respond to the disaster through Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Furst is director for LDR.
"Response efforts will be managed by Lutheran Social Services of Kansas/Oklahoma in Wichita," said Furst. "Bernice Karstensen, president of Lutheran Social Services of Kansas/Oklahoma, is on the scene and has already begun assessment and response. More information will be available as damage assessment continues," said Furst.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
