Pastor Joe Kummerow, Julie, and children involved in a serious car crash in New Zealand

Bishop Mark Whitfield, of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, a District of the LCA, sent the following message to members of the LCNZ yesterday:

Many of us may be aware by now that on Saturday afternoon, Pastor Joe, his wife Julie, and their 4 children (Lucy, Emily, Nicholas and Alexander) were involved in a serious accident near the Bay of Plenty city of Tauranga in the North Island of New Zealand. The Kummerows were returning to Auckland after a post-Easter holiday.

While Pastor Joe and Julie and their family suffered ‘minor’ injuries, the driver of the other car – a young mother – died at the scene of the accident, and her two young children were taken to hospital in a serious condition; one of them, critical.

The Kummerows have now returned to Auckland. The children went back to school today, Joe will go back to work tomorrow, and Julie to her part-time teaching later in the week.

Join me in giving thanks for God’s protection of this family, and also in asking his comfort and blessing to be with the family who have suffered tragically through this accident

He whakawhirinakitanga mō tātou ki te ingoa o te Ariki;
Nāna nei te rangi me te whenua i hanga.
Our help is in the name of the Lord;
Who made heaven and earth.

Gracious and loving God – thank you for watching over Joe, Julie, Lucy, Emily, Nicholas and Alexander, and for protecting them from serious injury and harm on Saturday afternoon. Heal them of any injury and pain, and restore them to fullness of health.

Jesus, risen Lord – draw near to the family in the other vehicle, and bring your healing to the physical injuries sustained by the young children. Mercifully embrace this family in your love and heal their pain as they mourn the loss of a mother, a partner, a sister, a daughter.

E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ki ā mātou karanga
Ā kia tae ki a koe ta mātou karanga. Āmene.
Lord, hear our prayer,
and let our cry come to you. Amen.

Your brother in Christ,
Pastor John Henderson
Bishop