In early June, a series of storms produced record rainfall in several cities across the Midwest—including Fort Atkinson, Wis. In this town of almost 12,000 the rainfall caused the nearby Rock River to flood a good portion of the downtown area. Many evacuated their homes—among them were residents of Golden Living Nursing Home, who found refuge at Bethany, a local WELS church.

“It happened kind of suddenly,” says Ethan Steinbrenner, one of the pastors at Bethany. “[The nursing home staff] asked if they could look at our building in case they needed a contingency plan. About a week later the water got high and they called and said, ‘We have to come over.’ We didn’t know what to expect. We just opened our doors and said, ‘Do whatever you need to do and we’ll help.’ ”

In just one day, more than 70 senior citizens were transferred to their temporary home in the fellowship hall and Sunday school classrooms of Bethany. “There were about six or seven full-size classrooms that they commandeered,” says Steinbrenner. “It was like a triage unit in there, like a refugee [camp].” He says cots, food, oxygen machines,  and patient lifts were brought in,and a huge refrigerated semi and dumpster sat outside the church.

Although things were chaotic, Steven Wilkens, the other pastor at Bethany, says the visitors were appreciative of the church’s hospitality. “We had residents wheel down to our offices, knock on our door, and say, ‘I don’t know if anyone’s told you this, but thanks for taking care of me,’ ” he says. “It’s just been incredible.”

Many from the congregation offered their help; the nursing home staff readily accepted offers from people  who wanted to come in and do activities with the displaced residents.

In another effort to serve the visitors, Bethany broadcast that week’s worship services into the fellowship hall so residents could participate in the service if they wished. Wilkens’ daughter, Amy, was also married that week, and residents were excited to see the wedding.

“Following the service, she and [her husband] stopped in and talked to the residents,” says Wilkens. “We figured it would be a nice thing to do for them.” 

Steinbrenner says overall this was a positive experience. “We were asked if we could help, and we did what we could,” he says. “It’s cool to see Christian people banding together to help. And when something like this happens it can be helpful to the general awareness of our congregations in the town.”