March 2026
Severe weather had been predicted for Kankakee County and surrounding areas for several days prior to Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Conditions were ripe for intense winds, sizable hail, and tornadoes. However, even with warnings from various news sources, residents and businesses in the area couldn’t truly prepare for what they actually ended up experiencing.
An EF3 tornado spawned as part of the storm system which blew through that evening. It was recorded to have
traveled a path along the ground for 36.6 miles and had wind speeds of 150 mph. Hundreds of homes and businesses were significantly damaged and many were destroyed. Hail up to 8 inches across (yes, that says 8 inches) fell from the sky, damaging innumerable houses and a multitude of vehicles unfortunate enough to be parked outside.
It will take months for those affected to recover, whether waiting for estimates to replace a roof or a finding out if a vehicle was totaled in the storm and then replacing said vehicle. There were so many completely destroyed windshields and disabled vehicles that it was not possible to arrange for a rental car anywhere in the area.
The evening of the storm, Pastor Cory Estby from Zion Lutheran Church in Grant Park, Illinois reached out to Deaconess Kathy O’Day. Deaconess O’Day serves at the Lutheran Church Charities Director of Disaster Response & NID DDRC (Northern Illinois District – District Disaster Response Coordinator). Although Pastor Estby’s church is 15 miles north of where the significant weather occurred, he wanted to make sure she was aware of the damage. Pastor Estby and Pastor Roger Drinnon (associate pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Kankakee/Bourbonnais) also had a conversation that evening about Pastor Drinnon activating LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) volunteers.
It was a well-coordinated effort. LERT is a trained volunteer network that responds to disasters by providing physical assistance, such as debris removal, while also offering spiritual care and compassion. Lutheran Church Charities had 71 LERT volunteers from 25 LCMS Northern Illinois District congregations serve from March 11-23, working at 30 homes with connections to St. Paul’s, Kankakee. Deaconess O’Day shared, “LERT volunteers have helped congregation, school, and their neighbors’ families salvage belonging from uninhabitable homes, listened to many stories, offered prayer, sorted and moved debris from yards, and cut and removed multiple downed trees and limbs. But most importantly, we are present to proved the mercy, compassion, presence, and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need.”
LCC was also invited to be at the MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center) to offer chainsaw, salvage, and debris removal assistance to affected residents. There were 16 other faith-based and community organizations there as well, offering services or resources. Deaconess O’Day reflected, “When we would be out in the neighborhoods serving, we met other groups also wanting to help in any way they could. many times we would hear from homeowners that seeing the response from helpers was giving them hope.”
St. Paul’s opened their doors daily to LERT volunteers. Pastor Drinnon shared morning devotions in order for the
crews to begin each day grounded in God’s Word and prayer.
Pastor Drinnon directly witnessed people and congregations coming together to serve. “There was a strong sense of unity and shared purpose. Members of our congregation came together to support the effort by providing meals and encouragement to workers each day. Beyond that, LERT volunteers from different places worked side by side, forming quick bonds through their shared mission of serving those in need.”
He also shared, “This kind of service is vital, not only because it meets immediate physical needs, but because it brings people together in a powerful and visible way. In times of disaster, it would be easy for people to feel isolated or forgotten. But when the Church shows up—serving in the name of Jesus—it becomes a living witness to Christ’s love.”
The opportunities to be involved were numerous: serving on one of those chainsaw teams with LERT, providing meals for volunteers, financial donations, and prayer to name a few.
Pastor Estby and some friends had the opportunity to volunteer with the American Red Cross on the Saturday following the storm in the community of Aroma Park, which was one of the hardest hit in the area. They initially intended to simply help unload a semi filled with supplies into smaller box trucks which were then to be sent into neighborhoods. However, this little crew ended up being invited to join in the delivery of supplies such as tarps, totes, shovels/rakes, gloves, garbage bags, etc., to households in need.
Pastor Estby commented, “We are called to love and serve our neighbor. I witnessed a community (Christians and non-Christians alike) who walked together in support of one another. Whether it was blocks from ‘ground zero’ of storm destruction or miles away, people responded. We have the joy of bringing Christ to their ears (an eternal love) while at the same time offering them some care (temporal support).”
Deaconess O’Day believes “serving others in their time of need after a disaster is a privilege, as we get to enter into someone’s most vulnerable moment and hep carry their burden for a short period of time. We are being the hands and feet of Christ, helping to restore some of their hope and lifting them and a community up in prayer…”
Pastor Drinnon summarized by saying, “Ultimately, this is what the Church is called to do. We serve not just to rebuild homes, but to remind people that they are not alone—that Christ has not abandoned them. Through acts of mercy like these, we have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus in both word and deed, bringing hope in the midst of hardship.”
We will continue to pray for all those affected by this significant weather. It will take time to repair homes and replace cars, but it was noted by Deaconess O’Day and both Pastor Estby and Pastor Drinnon that the gratitude in response to these loving acts of service was genuine and immense. There were needs to be met, and the people of God responded.
WITNESS: Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions, and sharing in a world mission field together.
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