Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & Training

Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont, IN (English district) will be hosting LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) training on Saturday, October 18th from 9am-3pm. This training enables volunteers to obtain or renew their LERT certification, which enables them to participate in deployments or to stand ready to help if a disaster occurs close to home.

A registration fee of $30 per person will pay for lunch, training materials, certificate/ID card, and LERT volunteer t-shirt. Youth who are 14 years of age or older may earn LERT certification.

Training will take place at Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont from 9am to 3pm. Doors will open at 8:30am, and participants should enter through the main (east) entrance.

Please send registration fees to "Peace Lutheran Church", 355 East State Road 120, Fremont, IN 46737. Please note "LERT Training" on the memo line of your check.

Have questions regarding the location or lunch? Contact Rev. Jared Rudolph at pastorrudolph@plcms.org or 260-495-4306 ext. 303

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1300 Beltline Rd, Collinsville, IL, on Saturday, October 18, from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs in disasters, and how Christians can support families, congregations and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during trying times of natural disasters. A lunch will be provided.

The registration fee is $35.00 per person which helps cover the cost of the LERT manual, ID badge, a disaster response T-shirt, and lunch. Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Please note on memo line 'LERT Training'. Checks may be brought the day of training. The LERT Trainer will distribute all training and post-class materials.

Registration should be completed two weeks prior to the training date, Oct 4, (if at all possible, but walk-ins are welcomed). For questions or additional information, please contact Bryce Cramer (an SID disaster response trainer), bcramer197364@gmail.com or 618-201-1806.

In the chaos of disaster, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand.  This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare for or respond to a disaster in your community or beyond.  At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing:  MERCY!  Christ's mercy is the basis for everything we say and do.  This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community.  After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:  

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 Jackson St., Madison, NE 68748 on October 18, 2025. Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program and learn the basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs in such disasters and how as Christians, can support families, congregations and the public, as the hands and feet of Jesus, during these trying times.

Please register for LERT at www.lcms-lert.org, and sign up for this training class at the same web-site. A registration fee of $35 per person will help cover the cost of lunch and snacks, training materials, aLERT T-shirt and credentials for disaster site access.  Please bring your registration fee made out to Nebraska District LCMS, and note "LERT Training October 18, 2025" on your check. Participants are urged to pre-register before October 5, 2025 so we have the proper materials for everyone, however last minute attendees are also welcomed. If you have questions, please contact Dylan Woodall at dwoodall1993@gmail.com.

All interested participants are welcome to attend this LERT training session. However, only LCMS members who are 14 years or older will receive certification as LCMS LERT volunteers. You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt from LCMS Disaster Response after the training is complete. Your LERT trainer, Dylan Woodall, will distribute all the necessary LERT materials during and after the class.

The training will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Participants should arrive by 8:30 am to complete registration and sign in.

What will we study? These are main topics of the training:

1)      Christian Care in times of disaster

2)      A Ministry of Presence

3)      Lutheran Early Response Teams and How They Function

4)      Utilizing the LERT Website

5)      Safety Protocol

6)      Congregation Preparedness

7)      Local Mercy Teams Serving Between Disasters

A Basic LERT Training class will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. at Bethany Lutheran Church 9101 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212.  Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn the basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs, and how Lutherans can support families, congregations, and the public as we demonstrate the love and mercy of Christ through the actions of our hands and feet.

Please pre-register through the LCMS - LERT website (https://www.lcms-lert.org) prior to 09-27-2025 so we may have the proper amount of materials for everyone. It will be necessary to set up aLERT profile on the website. A limited number of walk-in registrations are available on the day of the event. Class participants should arrive by 8:30 am to complete registration.

A registration fee of $25 will pay for training materials, certificate/ID card, LERT Volunteer t-shirt, and lunch. Checks are payable to Bethany Lutheran and on the memo line "LERT Training 10-18-2025".  You may mail it to the church or pay on the day of the class.   All interested participants are welcome to attend the LERT Training session.  However, only LCMS members 16 years or older will receive certification as LCMS volunteers.  You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt from LCMS Disaster Response after the training is complete.

LERT volunteer training will address the following:  

- Christian care in times of disaster

- A Ministry of Presence

- The LERT Program and how it works with other responders

- Introduction to Disaster Response

- Service Opportunities after a Disaster & Safety Protocol

The goal is of this training is to prepare congregations and individuals to be better prepared when a disaster strikes and help them know how to respond. The LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) model will be presented.  Participants will learn how to develop local teams of trained volunteers to respond when disasters occur. Congregations are encouraged to send a group of people to this training for ready application when they return home.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend the training session. However, only LCMS members who are 14 years or older will receive qualification as LCMS LERT volunteers.  You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt after completing the training. Your LERT trainers will distribute all the LERT materials prior to class.

The three main sections of the training are:  1) An introduction to the LCMS Disaster Response program, 2) Congregational Preparedness and 3) Lutheran Early Response Teams.

Training is on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Camp Omega near Waterville, MN, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.  5:00 PM doors open for check-in, registration completion & materials pickup.  The LERT training class begins at 5:30 PM.  (NOTE:  This training is good standing on its own, but if you would like to participate in the Basic Chainsaw Safety training the next day, please sign up for that as well!  There is overnight lodging at the camp.   See www.lert.org____________ to sign up for that.

Pre-registration is required and online.   Find the "Sign up" button on this page to register!  Because materials are ordered based upon pre-registrations, your early registration (by October 10) is greatly appreciated by event planners.  Walk-ins are welcome but cannot be guaranteed classroom materials.  IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS/CONCERNS - please call 507-369-8705.

[Note: When you click the "sign up" button on this page you will be asked to register an account if you don't already have one.  Part of the one-time registration process is granting permission to use class pictures, reading and acknowledging the liability waiver, and selecting T-shirt size. Note: every volunteer needs their email address when they register.]  

Payment:  Cost is $25 per person (includes all materials, refreshments, and dinner).  Pay at the training. 

This LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) Training Event is for obtaining new or renewing/reviewing volunteer certification, enabling volunteers to be received at disaster clean-up sites. This training prepares groups to be on a local team that stands ready to respond when disasters happen, and where victims of storm damage are in need of assistance.

A registration fee of $30 per person will pay for lunch, training materials, certificate/ID card, and LERT volunteer t-shirt. LCMS Youth who are 14 years of age or older may earn LERT certification.

Training will take place at St Paul Lutheran Church, South Bend from 9am to 1:30pm. Doors will open at 8:30am, and participants should enter the doors underneath the awning.

Schedule for the day:

8:30am -- Registration
9:00am -- Welcome and Session 1
10:00am -- Break
10:15am -- Session 2
11:30am -- Lunch
12:15pm -- Session 3 and closing

Please send registration fees to "St Paul Lutheran Church", 51490 Laurel Rd, South Bend, IN 46637. Please note "LERT Training" on the memo line of your check.

Have questions regarding the location or lunch? Contact Jeff at weissj87@gmail.com or Doris at stpaulsboffice@gmail.com

Please consider attending LCMS LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) volunteer training offered by Lutheran Church Charities. Federal guidelines indicate that volunteers responding to a disaster should be trained and certified. Should a disaster strike, you could deploy to a disaster site and serve those affected in a church and community. This training will inform LERT team volunteers on the safety, work, and ministry of Lutherans as Early Responders. This training is part of a Synod-wide disaster response program, facilitated by a national network of District Disaster Response Coordinators and Teams. After the training, you will receive a certificate, ID badge, and T-shirt.

In the chaos of disaster, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand.  This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare for or to respond to a disaster in your community or beyond.  At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing:  MERCY!  Christ's mercy is the basis for everything we say and do.  This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community.  After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:  

 This training will be hosted by Faith Lutheran Church in Grand Blanc, MI

Please consider attending LCMS LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) volunteer training offered by Lutheran Church Charities. Federal guidelines indicate that volunteers responding to a disaster should be trained and certified. Should a disaster strike, you could deploy to a disaster site and serve those affected in a church and community. This training will prepare LERT team members for credentialing and will focus on the safety, work, and ministry of Lutherans as Early Responders. This training is part of a Synod-wide disaster response program, facilitated by a national network of District Disaster Response Coordinators and Teams. After the training, you will receive a certificate, ID badge, and a T-shirt.

In the chaos of disaster, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand.  This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare for or to respond to a disaster in your community or beyond.  At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing:  MERCY!  Christ's mercy is the basis for everything we say and do.  This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community.  After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCM Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:  

 This training will be hosted by the Trinity Lisle LERT Team. A pizza dinner and snacks will be provided during registration.

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3100 Starkey Rd, Trinity, FL from 9 - 2 on Saturday November 15, 2025.  Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs and how Lutherans can support families, congregations and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during a disaster.  

A lunch will be provided. The registration fee is $35 - individual, $60 - couple, or $75 - family, and will cover the costs of manuals, ID Badge, trainer expenses and a T-shirt. Cash or checks, payable to "Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response" or "FGLER", or credit card (3% fee added).

Training material will be distributed on the day of training by your LERT Trainer, and afterwards by the coordinator. Registration should be completed two weeks prior to the training date. For questions or additional information, please contact Mark Trivilino, (913) 209-9324, TMA41@yahoo.com. 

In the chaos of disaster, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand. This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare to respond to a disaster in your community or beyond. At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing: MERCY! Christ's mercy is the basis for everything we say and do. This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community. After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:

*Christian care in times of disaster

*A Ministry of Presence

*The LERT Program and how it works with other responders 

*Introduction to Disaster Response

*Service Opportunities after a Disaster & Safety Protocol

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Atchison, Kansas. Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program and learn about the basic nature of disasters, opportunities to respond to personal needs in their aftermath, and how we, as Christians, can serve families, congregations and communities as the hands and feet of Jesus during trying times.

A registration fee of $35 per person helps cover the cost of lunch, training materials and LERT T-shirt. 

Has it been a while since you completed the Basic LERT course, and you want to refresh your working knowledge? Are you considering the Train the Trainer class in the near future? This would be an excellent opportunity to be introduced to the updated 2025 LERT training material. You may audit this class for $15 (covers your lunch).  

Please make checks payable to Trinity Lutheran Church and mail your registration fee to:

Trinity Lutheran Church
603 N. 8th St.
Atchison, KS 66002

Be sure to include "LERT Training December 6" in the check's memo line.

Registration must be received by November 22, 2025.

Walk-ins are welcome on a limited basis, as materials will be limited.

Questions? Please contact Jason T. Burgess at burgess2006harley@yahoo.com or Donna Williams at ksddrc@gmail.com

How long will training last? The course will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 6,  2025. Please arrive by 9:30 am to complete registration and sign in.

Training event is facilitated by: NE Training Team-Gardner

Lunch will be provided.

What will we study?
There are three main sections:

1) An introduction to the LCMS Disaster Response program

2) Congregation preparedness: I'm a trained LERT volunteer......now what?

3) Lutheran Early Response Teams: Who we are. What we do and why. How we function.

Who can be trained?
Anyone 14 years and older who is interested is welcome to attend this LERT training session and will receive certification as LCMS LERT volunteers (Youth Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult). You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt from LCMS Disaster Response after the training is complete. Your LERT trainer will distribute all the LERT materials before and after the class.

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at King of Glory Lutheran, Williamsburg VA on Friday, January 16, 2026. The class will focus on how we can respond in times of disasters.  We will explore how Christ has shown mercy to us, and how we can show our community that same Christ-like mercy. The goal is to prepare congregations and individual members to be better prepared when a disaster strikes and to help them know how to respond within their families, congregations, and in word and deed, within the greater communities.

The class fee is $35.

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 12200 McCormick Rd, Jacksonville, FL, from 6:30 - 10:00 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026.  Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs and how Lutherans can support families, congregations and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during a disaster.  

A light dinner will be provided for those who arrive early. Class will start promptly at 7:00.

The registration fee is $35 for an individual, $60 for a couple, or $75 for a family, and covers the cost of manuals, ID badges, trainer expenses, and a T-shirt. Training materials will be distributed on the day of training and after the session by your LERT Trainer.

Registration should be completed at least two weeks prior to the training date. For questions or additional information, please contact Beth Mark at Markfamily342@gmail.com

In the chaos of disaster, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand. This training will help you focus on the most important thing to remember as you prepare to respond to a disaster in your community or beyond. At the center of our LERT Volunteer training is one thing: MERCY! Christ's mercy is the basis for everything we say and do. This training event will equip you to be an effective volunteer should a disaster strike your community. After a brief introduction regarding the goals and theological rationale of LCMS Disaster Response, the LERT volunteer training will address the following:

*Christian care in times of disaster

*A Ministry of Presence

*The LERT Program and how it works with other responders 

*Introduction to Disaster Response

*Service Opportunities after a Disaster & Safety Protocol