Disaster Response

Serving After the Selma Tornado

LCMS Disaster Response and its partners shared Christ’s love through prayer and service in tornado-torn Selma, Ala., in 2023.

Photography by Erik M. Lunsford

On Jan. 12, 2023, a supercell storm unleashed several tornadoes in Alabama, including an EF-2 tornado that ripped through the heart of Selma.

LCMS Disaster Response staff quickly evaluated the situation and developed an action plan in conjunction with the Rev. Ed Brashier, district disaster response coordinator for the LCMS Southern District. They partnered with the Rev. Steve Washington and Trinity Lutheran Church, Selma, in the relief efforts.

For four weeks, Trinity hosted a Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) led by Brashier. More volunteers from northern Illinois, led by Deaconess Kathy O’Day of the LCMS Recognized Service Organization (RSO) Lutheran Church Charities, came to work as well. In total, LERT volunteers were able to serve 50 homeowners during their first few weeks of work in Selma.

In addition to hosting LERT volunteers for cleanup and chainsaw work, Trinity hosted Forged by Fire, an LCMS RSO based in Lacombe, Ala., that provides meals for those in need following a disaster. The Forged by Fire team served around 3,200 free meals to victims of the tornado during their time in Selma.

“A lot of [residents] ask us why we come so far and do this for nothing. And that’s where we get to witness … . We tell them … through the grace of God, we’ve been blessed. We want to be a blessing to you in return,” said LERT volunteer Dave Schlesselman, a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Ill.

LCMS Disaster Response is an important part of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s efforts to bring the love and mercy of Christ to those in need. LCMS Disaster Response is funded through the generosity of contributors who give specifically to this work.

Learn More

Reporter article: LCMS Groups Respond to Selma Tornado

Lutherans Engage article: Bearing the Love of Christ After Disaster

Learn about upcoming trainings and deployments on the LERT website