Photos: Churches of Christ in Oklahoma begin long task of tornado relief work

Today, I’m proud to call myself an Okie — and I’m blessed to be a part of the body of Christ.
I spent the morning with a group of volunteers who helped Jason and Kala Leger sort through the remains of their home in Newcastle — a small town southwest of Oklahoma City where tornado that devastated the city of Moore began.

Related: After the disaster: Family that survived killer tornado gives advice — and Bibles

Jason Leger, a deacon of the Southwest Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, shot video of the approaching funnel and the aftermath. The video went viral and got the attention of the international press. (See our blog post about it.)

A Bible is among the items salvaged from the Legers’ home in Newcastle, Okla. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

My home congregation, the Memorial Road Church of Christ, organized the relief trip, though we had volunteers from a Church of Christ in Texas and community churches throughout the metro area.
Speaking with the Legar family was a truly uplifting experience. I pray that I can show the kind of grace and humility they showed in the midst of loss. Look for more on them in our next print issue.

Volunteers make signs to direct tornado victims to relief supplies at the Oakcrest Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

I also stopped by the Oakcrest Church of Christ in southwest Oklahoma City, which is nearly overflowing with bottled water, donated clothes and canned goods. This morning, boxes of supplies arrived from Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort in Nashville, Tenn. The church is acting as a collection and distribution point for relief efforts.
This will not be an easy task, and it won’t be over anytime soon. See our “How to help” post to be a part of the recovery.

Volunteers pray at the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City before heading southwest to Newcastle. The church sent other groups to the tornado-hit towns of Shawnee and Luther. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

Donated clothes line the pews at the Oakcrest Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

• Feedback
  Keep up your good works “thou good and faithful servants”.
  I have NO doubt that God is pleased with all of you.
  It is nice to know I have sisters and brothers who are so kind.

  Catherine Carter

  May, 22 2013

  so wonderful! i just replied to another friends’ post — it’s this type of thing that supports (or is inspired by) the scripture “by this, they will know you are My disciples, that you love one another!” this – is love in action!

  Sue Simons

  May, 22 2013

  I would like to send in a donation to Oakcrest Church of Christ for the tornado relief
  Oklahoma city, ok,
  what is the zip code ?

  Janice J Jones

  May, 22 2013

  I just ordered enough supplies to serve 9000 meals this weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun). That is a very big undertaking please keep us and everyone in your prayers. Volunteer and donation information on web site www.disasterassistancecoc.com please share this with all your contacts. Also with the large number of volunteers we have coming, I have ordered a 6 unit shower trailer coming Sunday plus the two at the church give us 8 showers.

  Disaster Assistance Mission

  May, 23 2013

  We are sending our check for $100 to carry on your strong efforts to relieve suffering from the tornado. God bless your work – – Ed and Alice Weber, Maumee (Toledo), Ohio.

  Ed and Alice Weber

  May, 23 2013

  Janice: The ZIP code for the Oakcrest Church of Christ is 73139. I’m going to go back to our “how to help” post and add ZIP codes to the churches listed there.
  By the way, if you’re mailing checks to these churches, please note “tornado relief,” “Moore tornado” or something like that. Thanks.

  Erik Tryggestad

  May, 23 2013

  Janice J Jones – you can go out to the post office web site ( www.usps.com ) and on the left side there’s a place to look up the zip code. hope that helps – if nothing else, you could take it to the post office and ask them to look it up.

  Sue Simons

  May, 23 2013

  What a wonderful work! Just a thought to pass along, underwear is often an item of clothing often overlooked during times like this. Clean socks too.

  Alice

  May, 23 2013

  My husband is on the road now headed for Oakcrest Church of Christ with another semi-truck loaded with food from CoCDR in Nashville. He is a volunteer and we are humbled that he can help in this way. Our prayers are with the survivors, volunteers, and families that lost loved ones. May God give you strength to make it through this time. Our prayers remain with you all.

  Nancy

  May, 24 2013

  they are now asking not to send clothing – please send gift cards! great idea! easier & cheaper to send! sometimes you can even order them on-line and have them delivered!

  Sue Simons

  May, 24 2013

  You can donate online to the Oakcrest church of Christ relief efforts at their page here. At the bottom right corner there is a link to Donate. You will have to set up a user name and password to access the secure donation page and you will see a drop-down box once you’re signed in that lets you select “disaster relief.”
  http://www.oakcrestchurch.com/

  Susan Cronk

  May, 25 2013

  Power just came back on here at Central Church of Christ in Moore.

  Disaster Assistance Mission

  May, 25 2013