CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutherans continue to make houses livable again in Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, after 38 tornadoes struck the states eight months ago. The tornadoes destroyed 427 homes, severely damaged 900 others, and killed seven people.
Since Jan. 21 hundreds of volunteers have worked with Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), to assist survivors, especially families and individuals earning low incomes. Relief efforts are managed by Lutheran Social Service of Kansas/Oklahoma in connection with the ELCA Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod and LCMS Mid-South District.
"The church continues to be present and responding, offering help and hope in the name of Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, Chicago.
Earlier this summer "I met with volunteers, many who traveled at their own expense to help disaster survivors," said Furst. Volunteers "are responding to others with the same love that Jesus Christ has shown them. Those who respond to any disaster, with fervent prayers, generous contributions and with hands-on volunteering are really living out their faith."
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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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
