ST. LOUIS—Concordia Seminary was covered in debris and fallen trees by last Friday’s tornado only hours before its planned graduation. 

Concordia Seminary lost around 100 trees on its campus last Friday, the same night of the planned graduation ceremony.

“This entire area you’re looking at was completely covered in downed trees - so that you could not walk through any of this,” said Kris Schuldt, Missouri DDRC, Site coordinator, Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT. 

LERT mobilized quickly and gathered their skilled volunteers to clear massive trees so seminary students could graduate the next day instead.

“A gigantic monster tree fell into the chapel—so it broke windows and was threatening to do severe damage.”

LERT uses various chainsaws, tractors and other heavy equipment to saw, snap and slash through debris so it can be hauled away to be mulched.

Bryan Diercks, a LERT volunteer from Steeleville, IL has volunteered with LERT twice previously and said this is a lot worse than the two previous incidents he volunteered to help.

LERT aims to clear all debris but sometimes must circle back until utilities shut off power to the lines if they’re entangled with debris.

Volunteers came from Cedar Rapids and of other surrounding areas to lend a hand as well. 

“Overall, all of us feel like we’re blessed and we’re doing the hands and work of Jesus,” said Schuldt.

For others, it’s something to do.

“It helps people out and I’m retired now,” Kevin Boester, LERT volunteer from Murphysboro, IL.

Schuldt says the best part is seeing people’s reaction when the job is done.

“We tell the people we’re done,” said Schuldt. “Does everything look good and they say yeah how much can we give you? We always say, nothing, we do this all for free and that’s when all the tears flow. I don’t know. Your heart starts to get all soft and mushy and stuff. That’s why we do this.”

LERT expects to wrap up at the seminary on Sunday and then move on to helping clear other parts of Missouri.