When Disaster Strikes and Faith Stands Firm

How a Lutheran high school in New Orleans stayed strong after Hurricane Ida

In a suburb of New Orleans, the only Lutheran high school in the LCMS Southern District stands strong.

It’s hard to believe there was a time when they were barely standing at all.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed Lutheran High School (LHS) in Metairie, Louisiana. But God wasn’t done with LHS, and volunteers refused to let it fall, pressing on in faith despite the devastation.

“It was bad,” recalled Sandy Walton, volunteer and former teacher at LHS. “We had no money, but still we had to stay open, pay the teachers, keep the lights on. We were a dump. But people kept sending their kids because of what they got here: a good education and love and care for the students.”

MISSION OF LOVE

In the years that followed, LHS rebuilt and continued on as a beloved community school, surrounded by neighbors who were known and loved right back.

“The dynamics at LHS have changed drastically over the years,” explained Gemelle Linzy, long-time volunteer whose father helped found LHS. “Feeder schools are at a bare minimum, so we’ve become a mission school, and honestly I think that’s where God wants us.”

As the school’s mission shifted to serve the largely unchurched and very diverse community in New Orleans, enrollment was on the rise. But before long, LHS would have to weather yet another storm.

STEPPING OUT IN FAITH

In September 2021, Hurricane Ida tore the roof off LHS, leaving classrooms flooded and uninhabitable. With the city shut down and families struggling, reopening quickly was critical.

“Right after the storm, we knew we needed to open back up,” said Walton. “The entire city was shut down, the families’ homes were impacted, and our kids were not in school. Not to mention, September in New Orleans is brutal, hot and muggy. We wanted to get the kids back in right away.”

The volunteers got to work, and within a month, they had created five makeshift classrooms, all crammed into the only inhabitable building left on campus. Students returned in October to makeshift classrooms with no desks, extension cords everywhere and teachers without books or supplies.

“Many schools had not opened back up yet, and we were blessed to be among the first,” recalled Linzy. “Our kids are the best thing about the school. We’re a family, and we wanted them back with us.”

NOT STANDING ALONE

The temporary classrooms would suffice for the moment, but they weren’t sustainable long term, so the school connected with a contractor who was willing to help right away. But insurance money was limited, and FEMA money was delayed.

Thankfully, God had already provided a way: the school’s decades-long relationship with Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), which held the school’s first loan in the 1970s. “We would not be here without LCEF,” said Linzy. “They’ve always understood our mission.”

Blake Brown, LCEF assistant vice president of National Lending, quickly reached out after the hurricane. Inspired by their dedication, he offered his support, sharing his cell number and assuring them LCEF was ready to help.

“They immediately went into action to raise funds and get those kids back in school,” shared Brown. “So when they called, we were honored to partner with them over the next two years working with contractors, FEMA and insurance to get the school back in shape again. They just needed a short-term bridge loan to help sustain them and keep everything moving forward until the FEMA and insurance funds were received.”

STRONGER THAN EVER

The storm turned out to be a blessing. Finally, the school would get the attention it deserved.

By the 2024–2025 school year, students returned to a fully revitalized school, nearly unrecognizable after the damage. “Everything is state-of-the-art now,” shared Walton. “The families were just blown away by the new facility. They had stuck with us through this whole process, from students in terrible quarters to a gorgeous new school now, and they were speechless when they saw it. The contrast was unbelievable. Our 70+ students really just felt so important in the new space.”

Today, scripture posters line the hallways, reminding them how God has carried them through—and will again.

“No matter what roadblock we hit, God always provided a way around it,” said Walton. “We needed books, and before we knew it, they came in from generous Lutheran churches across the U.S.”

God’s provision through LCEF was no different.

“LHS’ story is a message of hope to others going through natural disasters,” shared Brown. “Since they’ve gone through this, they can move forward knowing they have the support of organizations like LCEF to help them weather these storms. There’s real strength and confidence in knowing that we’ve done it before, and if we have to do it again, we will.”

“Many of our students enter our school never having heard of Jesus Christ,” said Walton. “Because we are Lutheran and emphasize the Word, we understand and acknowledge that we exist solely by the grace of God. We are His school. It is amazing to watch students enroll as eighth graders and then, as seniors, ask to be baptized in chapel in front of the entire school body. There are so many miracles that we have witnessed at LHS.”

With a new facility and faith in Christ, LHS will keep teaching students to weather life’s storms—a miracle every time.