Dear St. John's,

Thank you for your prayers, your emails, your calls, your inquiries and your desire to help the people in the Houston area following Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding.

Below is an update from Rev. Jon Braunersreuther, the Mission and Ministry Facilitator of the LCMS Texas District, Area D which provides information on the work being done in Texas.

In response to Hurricane Harvey, we are partnering with the Texas District, as we care for those who have been hurt and impacted by floods.

- Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

FROM REV. JON BRAUNERSREUTHER-

Here is a bit of an update and some important information:

• From contacts around Area D, it is evident that the destruction is widespread. At least four pastors have water in their homes, a number of staff people from LCMS congregations have experienced flood damage, and, though the count is far from complete, perhaps hundreds of members of LCMS congregations have experienced damage from the storm. Thus far, no major damage has been reported to church buildings, but we have not yet been able to receive reports from every congregation.
• Plans for a coordinated recovery effort are already underway. Provided we’re allowed access, we plan to have an assessment team on the ground on Thursday and Friday this week, followed by focused planning efforts next week and “boots on the ground” work soon after. We are aware that this will be a months-long, perhaps years-long effort at recovery.
• The District is preparing to assist with recovery efforts and will do everything it can to support those in need—particularly professional church workers and members of congregations in the district.
• Additionally, LCMS groups from the other parts of the state who are trained to assist in disaster relief efforts with manpower are staging for entry into the Area when it is safe to do so. They are developing plans to assist in the most helpful way possible.

Rev. Jon Braunersreuther
Mission and Ministry Facilitator, Area D

Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

www.txlcms.org