Support UM News at General Conference: Your gift ensures that you and other visitors receive the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and diverse perspectives from General Conference.

Oklahoma Tornado: UM Conferences respond

United Methodist Annual (regional) Conference disaster relief coordinators are meeting and planning to send money and deploy mission teams as soon as they get the word from the United Methodist Committee on Relief that the time is right for teams to go into areas affected by tornadoes.

Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner sent $2,000 to each bishop in the Central Texas and Oklahoma conferences to assist their disaster response teams. The conference is gearing up to send mission teams to both conferences when the time comes, said Dan Gangler, director of communication, Indiana Conference. Indiana was hit hard by tornadoes in 2012.

Michigan Area Bishop Deborah L. Kiesey called for prayers and donations.

Let us join our prayers together that all might be surrounded by the presence of God and strengthened by the prayers of people across the nation,” she said.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Disaster Relief
Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

Louisiana Conference: Hope Beyond the Storm podcast series

A special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices and pastoring from church leaders, volunteers and neighbors who rebuilt together twenty years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Disaster Relief
Dr. Sue Berry recalls her service directing a special-needs shelter in Lake Charles, La., in the days following Hurricane Katrina. Berry is a member of Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church in New Orleans. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

New Orleans doctor answers call to serve after hurricane

Dr. Susan Berry was leaving New Orleans with her family to escape Hurricane Katrina, but she felt called to stay and help during the public health crisis that followed.
Global Health
Medical students work in the lab at Luke’s House, a free health clinic in New Orleans. From left, with faces visible, are Ryan Barry, Zahra Naeini, Karla Gallegos Díaz and Amelie Jacobs. A United Methodist pastor helped start the clinic in 2006 in response to the health care gap left by Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Faith-based free clinic serves community

Luke’s House, a free clinic in New Orleans started by United Methodists, grew out of a need after Hurricane Katrina closed most avenues to health care.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved