Churches of Christ in Oklahoma house victims, prepare for relief work after tornado kills 24 (Updated)

Update, 11:30 a.m., May 21: See our “how to help” blog post for information about donations and relief efforts.
Update, 9 a.m., May 21: Oklahoma’s medical examiner’s office has revised the death toll from a tornado in an Oklahoma City suburb to 24 people, including seven children. A spokeswoman said that some victims may have been counted twice in the early chaos of the storm, the Associated Press reports.

Churches of Christ and associated disaster relief ministries are mobilizing forces after a massive tornado devastated the south Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, Okla., this afternoon.

Tornado damage in Moore, Okla. (Still from Associated Press video, courtesy David Massey)

The twister destroyed a school and has killed at least 24 people and left many more homeless, according to news reports.
Updates from congregations in the area:
• The Oakcrest Church of Christ in southwest Oklahoma City is giving shelter to storm victims. See a video of minister Ben Glover discussing the relief efforts.
• Members of the Memorial Road Church of Christ in northeast Oklahoma City met May 20 to begin the process of coordinating disaster relief.
• Disaster Assistance CoC, supported by Churches of Christ, is sending a representative to Moore May 21 to assess needs. The ministry continues to serve meals to volunteers and people in need in the disaster-hit Texas cities of West and Cleburne.
We will post updates as they become available.
To share new details or prayers, please comment below.

• Feedback
  What can churches here in Texarkana AR do to help? Whats most needed and where do we bring it?

  Cheryl Tibbit

  May, 20 2013

  Cheryl: We’ll have a more comprehensive list soon. Meanwhile see the Memorial Road Church of Christ’s <a href=”http://www.mrcc.org/news-and-events/tornado” rel=”nofollow”>tornado relief page</a> to find ways to help.

  Erik Tryggestad

  May, 21 2013

  Erik, six years ago, when my daughter died in the EF4 tornado that destroyed Enterprise High School, the CC broke the story online that night. I received cards and support from all over the United States from people who were praying for me and wanted to share the burden – about 2,000 cards in all. It was especially nice to hear from parents who had also journeyed through the valley of the shadow of death.
  If possible, once names of victims and parents are known, I’d like to send cards and support. If not to them directly, then in care of their church.
  Praying for healing and for the peace that passes all understanding.

  Kathy Strunk

  May, 21 2013

  Do you believe there will be a way to physical assistance in the future? If so how can we contact the right person to make that happen?

  April Peden

  May, 21 2013

  Was Central Church of Christ damaged? It is just across 4th Street from the Medical Center.

  Jeff Rader

  May, 21 2013

  My prayers are with everyone who went through that storm, especially those that lost loved ones.
  I have been doing much research on lilapsophobia, the fear of tornadoes. I have 20,000 words typed for a book I am writing about a family that helps a child cope with atmophobia, the fear of severe weather.
  I fear for those who survived and how they will be affected. People that have flashbacks of being in tornadoes likely have PTSD. I hope that those people have strong support systems where they can share their feelings with empathetic listeners.
  I live in a rural area 40 miles NE of Little Rock and 25 miles SW of Searcy. I learned from the 2011 Vilonia, Arkansas tornado that instead of being caught in a tornado, drive at a 90 degree or right angle away from the tornado’s path while listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or television weather reports when simulcast on the radio. This is especially a good idea in rural areas.

  Johnny Mullens

  May, 21 2013

  standing in prayer for you, christian in coloradosprings, colo. sharon albertson

  sharon albertson

  May, 21 2013

  I am a South African married to an American and currently in the US. We are members of the Church of Christ in Riverlea Johannesburg South Africa and on behalf of our Church our thoughts are with our fellow members and those affected by this storm.
  Sincerely
  Mrs. G. Davidson

  Gail Bradford-Davidson

  May, 22 2013

  We in Great Britain are praying for you all.

  Stephen Woodcock

  May, 22 2013

  Sorry to hear about the Tornado,Praying for the family affected and sure God will do the needful

  david martin

  June, 9 2013