LCMS President suffers house fire

President Matthew Harrison.

USA – On Wednesday July 29, Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Matthew C. Harrison and his family suffered a severe house fire to their home in Ballwin, Missouri.

“All thanks to God, though the damage was severe, no one was hurt,” a statement released on the LCMS’ Facebook page reads. “President Harrison expressed his appreciation for the concern and prayers of all as he and his family work through things.”

The damage is reportedly extensive, with suggestions that the whole house may need to be rebuilt. While no one was hurt, a family pet reportedly suffered smoke inhalation.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is Lutheran Church–Canada’s(LCC) sister church in the United States of America. As the mother church of LCC, the LCMS remains an important partner of the Canadian church.

Lutheran Church–Canada encourages prayer for President Harrison, his family, and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at this time. Congregations and individuals may wish to use the following prayer, which comes from the LCMS’ Facebook page:

We pray: O heavenly Father, we know You do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men, and that Your mercy is over all that You have made. Remember the Harrisons in the aftermath of this house fire. Thank you for sparing their lives. Use us, we pray, as instruments of Your care and love for them, for You are a good and gracious Father, and to Your unfailing love we commend them all, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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