The Church Loves Kansas City
Letter to the Pastors of Kansas City
February 15, 2024

Dear Friends,

Like you, our hearts are hurting following the tragic shooting at the Chiefs’ rally yesterday. A day that was intended for celebration quickly turned into tragedy. We grieve collectively as a city the horrific acts of violence that resulted in indescribable harm.

We are in shock and mourn with those who are mourning. We cry out with the prophets of old and the voices of today, “How long, O Lord, how long?” We often find it hard to know exactly how to respond as people of faith to things like this. We are shocked and deeply saddened.

Let’s respond to the pain of our city as the Church in Kansas City. Let’s not let the darkness have the last word. What’s happened is now a forever part of Kansas City's history. We want love to prevail. Let’s work together to make the loving response of the Kansas City Church a part of Kansas City’s forever story.

Leaders across the city met early this morning virtually to collaborate on a plan where anyone who wants to help can give in Jesus' name.

We are asking the Church of Jesus in Kansas City to give toward a special “The Church Loves Kansas City” fund or take up a special offering this Sunday (or as soon as possible). All donations can be sent to the National Christian Foundation-Heartland, where the funds will be held until distribution. Funds can be personally delivered or sent to NCF, 7015 College Blvd, Suite 250, Overland Park, KS 66211. Please remember that NCF cannot accept cash.

The funds received from this offering will go towards the following – in order of priority.

1. Pay all funeral expenses for Lisa Lopez and anyone else who may tragically lose their life.

2. Pay medical expenses for all victims being treated at area hospitals. We are working now to get an estimate of the costs. We know that federal funds will be used to pay for a portion of the medical bills. After Federal funding is exhausted, we anticipate something in the range of $200K to cover all expenses. We are already in touch with the leaders of Children’s Mercy Hospital.

3. Create a counseling fund to pay for counseling costs for those who need assistance processing yesterday’s tragedy. This will address both short-term and long-term needs.

4. Create a Crisis KC Fund held by NCF and used for any future crisis impacting Kansas City. The name of the Fund is The Church Loves Kansas City Fund.

A task force will be formed to oversee the distribution of funds for counseling and future crises.

We commit that all funds received will be given in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ from the Church of Greater Kansas City. Great care will be taken to respond as one body of Christ, so the credit goes to Jesus' love for Kansas City. We commit to you that no single church will be lifted above another. No ministry will be lifted up. No names will be attached to this gift. If the press asks for a spokesperson, Gary Kendall (LoveKC) and Ray Jarrett (UniteKC) will speak on behalf of the Church.

There will be many efforts in the days to come, you’ll likely have your response. At the same time– there should also be something we do together that none of us can do alone.

As we grieve, may we also remember that our hope lies in the Prince of Peace. As we pray, let us ask the God of all comfort to gently remind us all that he is near, that he is present, and that his love is greater.

Please let us know if there is anything more we can do to be of immediate help. On behalf of KC leaders, we pray the healing begins today.

Grace and Peace in Jesus,
The Church of Kansas City

PS Please feel free to pass this on to any pastors in our region who might not have received this email. We will have a website up tomorrow for additional information. We are encouraging churches committed to giving to the fund to add their names on the website. Thank you!