by Sarah Maney

On May 16, a powerful EF3 tornado ripped through St. Louis, with peak winds of 152 mph. The storm carved a 23-mile-long path of destruction, up to half a mile wide, damaging thousands of buildings, injuring at least 38 people and claiming five lives.

Among the impacted areas was Concordia Seminary, struck just hours after the Theological Diploma Service concluded and causing the evening’s Commencement exercises to be postponed. While the campus suffered considerable damage — especially to trees and power lines — no injuries were sustained.

Rising to the Challenge

Steve “Ray” Allen, site director of maintenance repair with C&W Services, recalled the frantic hours after the storm hit.

“After the tornado, the phones were nonstop. Everyone had an emergency, and we had to quickly figure out our priorities,” says Allen. “Power lines were down near several faculty houses — that became our top concern. Then we turned our focus to the chapel, which had some windows blown out.”

As Allen coordinated the initial response, a call came in that would change everything: a volunteer from Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) was asking to help. Allen, unfamiliar with the group at the time, soon learned just how prepared and committed they were.

“They didn’t just show up — they arrived like an army,” Allen says. “Thirty people, all with their own equipment — chainsaws, skid steers, high lifts.”

LERT volunteers, who serve as part of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Disaster Response ministry, are trained to respond in times of disasters.

The tornado felled over 150 trees across the campus. But with swift coordination, 75 volunteers helped clear the path to Chapel Plaza by the end of the first day — and made it possible for the Commencement exercises to proceed the following evening.

“It was amazing,” Allen says. “People brought food, water — everyone just pitched in. We wrapped up around 4 p.m. It was a huge blessing.”

A Commitment Beyond Cleanup

LERT’s support did not end after day one. Volunteers remained on campus for seven consecutive days, assisting with recovery and pledging to return monthly for the next year to grind stumps and continue restoration work.

“We do this because we’re blessed,” says Kris Schuldt, a LERT team leader. “We believe we’re called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We serve with joy and gratitude — wherever we’re needed.”

Beyond manpower, the team donated a stump grinder and provided chainsaw safety training to Seminary staff and students.

“Kris came out and trained six people right away,” Allen says. “He’ll be back to train even more local LERT volunteers. It’s about more than just cleanup — it’s about preparing us for the future.”

Allen also marveled at the near-miraculous way many of the trees fell. “About 95% of them landed in the one direction that avoided serious damage. Just a two-foot difference in some cases, and it could’ve been devastating. We were completely blessed.”

On May 25, during campus devotions, LERT volunteers presented a symbolic gift to Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger: a cross-section from a felled oak tree, signed by the volunteers. It now serves as a powerful reminder — of the storm’s force, of God’s protection and of the unwavering strength of the community.

Sarah Maney is the communications manager at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.