Lutheran Servants for Christ and the Southeastern District are especially appreciative of the support of LCMS Disaster Response, MALIM (Mid-Atlantic Lutherans in Mission), LWML, LCEF and all the many congregations and individuals who continue to support recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. I

This is an update and report of where we are in terms of supporting ministries impacted by Hurricane Helene and to request the remainder of the funds so that we may continue our work.

Our Savior, Clyde NC

Our Savior, Clyde was asked to serve as a host site for volunteers. They readily agreed to assist. Cots, food and serving supplies were sent, and they were the recipients of flood bucket materials. Several teams were hosted at Our Savior and they were very hospitable.

We learned that the church was a bit too far from where the needs were. They continue on standby but are preparing to relocate materials to Mt. Pisgah, Hendersonville.

Trinity, Tryon NC

Trinity Lutheran Church sustained significant damage as flood waters filled the crawl space and subsequent mold and wetness damaged the greater church structure. The work to repair this church included fortifying the bank of the river which had carved a path 10’ from the congregation, completely pumping out the crawl space, and rebuilding portions of the foundation.

This congregation is not yet meeting in the building. We are working with at least three more teams to complete the work so they may resume their ministry at this location.

Mt. Pisgah, Hendersonville NC

Mt. Pisgah did sustain some damage to their building. That has been repaired. However, their greatest ministry in this disaster has been to serve as a hosting site. With teams coming in almost weekly, they have been tackling major tree cutting projects and now, are in the community helping neighbors to return to their homes. Teams are now doing more home rebuilding/restoration than tree work. We have been blessed to have the additional support of LCC, Shepherd’s Heart, and Mercy in Action. Teams are being scheduled into the Fall 2025.

Emmanuel, Asheville NC

Emmanuel, Asheville became the launching pad for first response with our Mobile Food Ministry and Forged by Fire on-site during the first weeks of the disaster. They were the generous recipients of Orphan Grain Train’s resources with water and fuel trucks as well as several trucks filled with supplies. They immediately moved into supplying the community with food, household items, and cleaning supplies. Since then, they have assisted in the repair of two church worker homes and a host of neighborhood homes and tree needs.

Camp Linn Haven, Linville NC

The camp experienced much devastation from the Hurricane. Cabins were destroyed, the mobile home village almost completely washed away, outdoor areas, including volleyball courts, dining and kitchen were gone. Camp Linn Haven is blessed with a massive following and the “ownership” of two circuits in our District. Many people have responded. In addition, with the assistance of LCMS Disaster Response, Camp Linn Haven along with Mountainside Lutheran Church have made a commitment to having this ministry becoming a training Center for LERT Teams. During the winter and spring, weekly deployments were held at the Camp. The grant from LCMD Disaster Response assisted in providing housing and meals for the teams who arrived. The Camp is functioning and serving in the summer season. They had a re-opening event over Memorial Day weekend. Teams are continuing to come one week a month during the summer season as work continues. The good news is that the cabins and public space has been completed. Work remains with outdoor clean-up and future storm prevention.

Mountainside Lutheran Church, Linville NC

Mountainside was flooded! One of the most disheartening picture (for me) comes from the one with hymnals and Bibles tossed due to flooding. LCMS Disaster Response was quick to respond with assistance to help the congregation be able to worship with keyboard, hymnals and help from Concordia Publishing. In addition, tools to replace those that had been destroyed in the flood were replaced. Today, the Dean’s quarters (located at rear of worship center), the worship center and offices have been restored. The congregation has returned to worship on-site.

The good news is that now the Worship Center is completed, the congregation is working in the community responding to homeowner needs (this includes several members of the congregation as well.)

St. Peter’s, Conover NC

A true gift in the mix of all that has happened is that Pastor Peter Frank offered St. Peter’s as a Receiving Center for the national response. They also served as a host site for the first months of the disaster. We were blessed with the presence of DDRC Kris Schuldt (MO District) who provided leadership with the set up of St. Peter’s.

St. Peter’s transported so many supplies throughout the recovery and deployments. At this time, they are working to completely transfer materials that are left and to empty two pod units so that they may be returned to the company.

Additional sites:

Requests for assistance and teams have been sent to the Conover/Hickory area, Swannanoa, and Spartanburg areas.  We are currently finishing up work in Swannanoa and have quite a number of sites in Spartanburg if we can develop teams.  Also, much work was done in Seneca, SC. The local team at Eternal Shepherd was very helpful in managing need there.