From the Huffington Post:
Missouri Tornado: Churches Coming Together to Pray and Help Victims
During the devastating tornado that ripped through Joplin, Mo. Sunday evening and killed at least 90 people, several churches were destroyed. Those that survived have quickly become shelters and gathering spots for neighbors, friends and loved ones to reunite.
"There is nothing but floor and rubble. The organ and pews are piled up," said Bill Pape, pastor of the now-crumbled Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin. He said the 70 members of his church had reported no deaths or major injuries, but some are now homeless. Pape is searching for a location at which to hold worship next week.
More reports, from various church websites:
Several United Methodist churches in Joplin, Mo., were scrambling to provide shelter Monday morning for church members and others whose homes were damaged by a tornado the day before.
At least two churches also suffered extensive damage.
...
[Christ’s Community United Methodist Church], which had power but no water, was open as a shelter and was receiving supplies and volunteers. A disaster-response team from the Missouri Annual (regional) Conference is expected to use the church as its headquarters for tornado response.
The Catholic Church was especially hard hit, with the loss of the town’s largest Catholic parish and rectory, an elementary school and a hospital.
“It’s devastating,” said Gene Koester, principal of the local Catholic high school. “It looks like a bomb hit Joplin.”
The Mormons also lost their largest local church, a building across from Joplin High School that housed several congregations.
The LDS Church said in a statement Monday that local priesthood leaders would continue to assess needs, with plans to contact officials in affected areas to determine how to assist with response efforts. Church members have begun already to assist with the clean-up.
Also across from the high school was Harmony Heights Baptist Church, where three people died.
At least two Missouri Baptist churches are among the scores of institutions, businesses and homes destroyed
...
Already Baptists from around the state are responding to the disaster. Seaton said a handful of trained volunteers had been sent in Monday morning to determine how best to help.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church's Community Services-Disaster Response for Mid-America is coordinating with federal and local agencies in the wake of a tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri on Sunday.
And from the LGBT-inclusive Spirit of Christ MCC:
Thank you for your concern, the tornado hit just as we were begining service on Sunday night. We rode out the storm in the basement of the church with only two people injured. The building that we had previously rented from Unity of Joplin was completely destroyed. There will be no community meal on Wednesday, May 25.
In addition, Pastor Steve's home and cars were destroyed in the storm. The other members who were attending church on Sunday, also lost their cars. We can joyfully report that all members of SOC MCC have been located and reunited with their families.
Our denomination and network leaders are responding to our needs, as well as the needs of the community.
(Note: PROMO, Missouri's statewide LGBT advocacy group, has a donation page for the church.)
I selected the above quotes quickly and almost at random, but it's obvious that all of these congregations (and doubtless, others) are hurting and will face some difficult days ahead — but they're also stepping up (or soon will be) to help both their own members and the larger community.
Keep them, and indeed everyone in the entire region, in your thoughts and prayers*.