Tornado aftermath
Filed Under: Committee on Relief, COR, Minnesota, tornado
Pilgrim, Minneapolis, Minn., is reaching out in its community following a tornado on Aug. 19. The tornado struck six blocks from the church but did not harm Pilgrim's property. However, many homes and cars in the area did suffer severe damage. There was no loss of life.
Scott Gostchock, director of Christian development at Pilgrim's church and school, explains that Pilgrim is located in an urban center of Minneapolis and serves a diverse population that includes Native Americans, Hispanics, Hmong, Northern Europeans, and many other ethnic groups. The school is predominantly an outreach tool, with more than 30 people baptized over the past two years, most of whom came to Pilgrim because of its school.
After the tornado, Pilgrim discovered that much of the property damage was covered by insurance. However, neighbors were concerned about how they would pay their insurance deductibles. That is when Gostchock contacted WELS Committee on Relief, which responded by granting Pilgrim $10,000 to help community members recover from the tornado.
Members of Pilgrim are now canvassing the neighborhood on weeknights and weekends to find those who need help. Gostchock says that they share God's love with their neighbors, invite them to worship, and let them know that Pilgrim is there to help. So far Pilgrim has identified 11 families who will receive financial aid. Pilgrim is also helping neighbors by clearing trees that have fallen and providing general cleanup services.
"Our neighbors are joining us in praising God for his greatness as we share our resources with them," says Gostchock. "It is very overwhelming to be able to help, and God is getting the glory for that. This is how God works through what we might perceive to be terrible things."
