Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & Training

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 416 Park Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701, on Wednesday evening, September 2, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM. 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, we can support families, congregations and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during these trying times.

Please pre-register at the LCMS-LERT website: www.lcms-lert.org by August 20th so we have adequate time to order materials. Last-minute attendees are also welcome, but materials may be limited. It is necessary to create aLERT profile and account on the website, then return to the same website to sign up for this training event. A registration fee of $30 per person will help cover the cost of snacks and drinks, 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 9/2/2026" on your check

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 or after the class. Participants should arrive by 5:45 pm to sign in and pick up materials.

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)      Local Mercy Teams Serving Between Disasters

If you have questions, please contact Dylan Woodall at dwoodall1993@gmail.com or Mick Onnen at DisasterResponse@ndlcms.org, 402-364-3370.

Please consider attending LCMS LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) volunteer training offered by Lutheran Church Charities. 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 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 CUC Deaconess Studies and held in Krentz Hall - Rm. 120. Parking for Krentz Hall will be in Visitor Lot 3 on Augusta St.

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 4605 Cypress Ave, Wichita Falls, Tx on Saturday, September 19 beginning at noon.

Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program and will learn about the basic nature of disasters and how Christians can support church workers, families, congregations and the general public as the hands and feet of Jesus during trying times.  Other class topics include response and deployment protocol in times of disasters, a ministry of presence, and safety practices.

Class registration must be made at www.lcms-lert.org.  Participants are urged to pre-register before September 5, so we have the proper materials for everyone. A registration fee of $20 per person will cover the cost of training materials, tee shirt and lunch. Please bring your check or cash to the training. Contact the site coordinator, Nancy Opheim, if you encounter any difficulties registering.

If you have any questions about the class content, contact Don Kelle, the LERT trainer for the event  at okddrc@gmail.com.

All interested participants are welcome to attend the LERT training, however, only LCMS members 14 or older are eligible to receive a certificate of completion as LERT volunteers.  All LERT materials will be distributed during the class. You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt after the training is complete.

Please arrive by noon for lunch and registration.  The class will begin at 1:00pm and should finish by 4:30.

What will we study?  These are the 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)  Congregational Preparedness and Mercy Teams.

Join us for a North and South Wisconsin District Basic LERT training event

On Saturday, September 19, 2026. 

Starting at 9 am (Doors open at 8:30 am for check-in)

At St. John Lutheran SCHOOL (Formerly Hewitt-Texas Elementary) 

Located at 164475 Granite Road, Wausau, WI 54403

NOTE: This is NOT at the Church. 

It is at the NEW SCHOOL LOCATION near State Hwy 52 to North County Road J and Granite Road.  

Together we will address the nature of disasters and explore what our response would be to a disaster as members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. 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.  

A luncheon will be provided at the conclusion of the event.

The class fee is $40 per person. Your LERT Trainer will distribute all materials during and after the class.

Please feel free to call or email Pastor Andy Weden at Peace Lutheran Campus Center with any questions or concerns- phone: 715-345-6510  email: aweden@uwsp.edu

A Basic LERT Training class will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. at Christ Lutheran Church, 11720 Nieman Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210.  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 on the LCMS-LERT website (https://www.lcms-lert.org) prior to 09-11-2026 so we may have the proper amount of materials for everyone. It will be necessary to create 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 8:15 am to complete registration before class begins.

A registration fee of $35 will cover all training materials (2025), a certificate/ID card, aLERT Volunteer t-shirt, and lunch. Checks are payable to Christ Lutheran Church and on the memo line "LERT Training 9/26/2026".  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 the LERT ID and certificate. You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt from LCMS Disaster Response after the training is complete. IMPORTANT: If you are considering taking our LERT Basic Chainsaw course, this class is a required prerequisite. 

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

Table discussion will take place during lunch served immediately following formal instruction time. 

Where? Christ Lutheran Church, 11720 Nieman Rd, Overland Park, KS

Time: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm (includes lunch). Please enter through the school entrance off the parking lot.

Registration: $35 (lcms-lert.org)

Facilitators: David Ingwersen (Bethany, OP) & Bob Lowe (King of Kings, Gardner)

Christ Lutheran on-site Contact: Eric Brunkow, ebrunkow88@gmail.com

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3600 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK  73112, on Saturday, October 3, beginning at 9:00 am.

Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program. They will learn about the basic nature of disasters and how Christians can support church workers, families, congregations and the general public as the hands and feet of Jesus during trying times.  Other class topics include response and deployment protocol in times of disaster, a ministry of presence and safety practices.

Class registration must be made at www.lcms-lert.org. Please pre-register by September 21, 2026, so we can have the proper materials for everyone.  A registration fee of $20 per person will cover training materials, a T-shirt, and snacks.  Please bring your check or cash to the training.  Checks should be made out to Messiah Lutheran Church.  Note "LERT Class 10-03-2026" on the check.

If you have any questions about the class, contact Don Kelle,  the LERT trainer for the event, at okddrc@gmail.com.  

All interested participants are welcome to attend the LERT Training; however, only LCMS members 14 or older are eligible to receive a certificate of completion as aLERT volunteer.  All LERT materials will be distributed during the class.  You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt after the training is complete.

Please arrive by 8:30 for registration.  The class will begin at 9:00 am and should finish by 12:30.  There will be ample opportunity to ask questions during and after the class.

What will we study?  These are the 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.  Congregational Preparedness and Mercy Teams

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 S. Country Club Rd, El Reno, OK on Saturday, October 10, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program and will learn about the basic nature of disasters and how Christians can support church workers, families, congregations and the general public as the hands and feet of Jesus during trying times.  Other class topics include response and deployment protocol in times of disasters, a ministry of presence and safety practices.

Class registration must be made at www.lcms-lert.org.  Participants are urged to pre-register before September 28, 2026, so we may have the proper materials for everyone.  A registration fee of $20 per person will cover the cost of training materials, a T-shirt and snacks.  Please bring your check or cash to the training.  Checks should be made out to Trinity Lutheran Church and note "LERT Basic class 1-10-2026" on the check.

If you have difficulty registering or if you have any questions about the course content, contact Don Kelle, the LERT trainer for the event, at okddrc@gmail.com

All interested participants are welcome to attend the LERT Training; however, only LCMS members 14 or older are eligible to receive a certificate of completion as aLERT volunteer.  All LERT materials will be distributed during the class. You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt after the training is complete.

Please arrive by 8:30 for registration.  The class will begin at 9:00 am and will finish by 12:30. There will be ample opportunity for questions during and after the class.

What will we study?  These are the 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.  Congregational Preparedness and Mercy Teams

Join us for a North Wisconsin District Basic LERT Training event

On Saturday, October 24th

Starting at 9 am (Doors open at 8:30 am for check-in)

At First Lutheran Church 

Located at 15 E Sawyer Street, Rice Lake, WI 54868

Together, we will address the nature of disasters and explore our response as members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.  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.  

A late lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the event

The class fee is $40 per person. Your LERT Trainer will distribute all materials during and after the class.

Please feel free to call or email Pastor Andy Weden at Peace Lutheran Campus Center with any questions or concerns- phone: 715-345-6510; email: aweden@uwsp.edu