Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & Training

A Train the Trainer class for Basic LERT Training will be held by Lutheran Servants for Christ, Southeastern District at the 2026 Disaster Response Preparedness Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Wednesday, February 4, from 1 pm to 4 pm. The class will be taught by Kathy Mathews, with assistance from Sandy Bowers and Sally Hiller. 

Topics for the class include:

There is no fee for the class. Class site is: Crown Reef Beach Resort, 2913 S Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

You do not have to be registered for the conference to attend this class. Additional information on the Conference may be found at https://se.lcms.org/event/2026-sed-disaster-response-conference/

The goal of this training is to prepare congregations and individuals to respond effectively in the event of a disaster and to understand how to serve as LERT volunteers. The LERT organizational and safety procedures will be presented, as well as ways congregations can deploy volunteers to local and more distant disaster sites.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend the training session. However, only LCMS members who are 14 years or older will receive a certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt after the training is complete. Your LERT trainers will distribute all the LERT materials during and after the 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.

The training will be held on Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Grace Lutheran Church, 800 East Silver Lake Drive, Rochester, MN.

Doors will open early for check-in, registration completion, and materials pickup. The LERT training class will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at noon.

[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 the T-shirt size. Note: every volunteer needs their email address when they register.]  

Payment:  Cost is $20 per person (includes all materials and refreshments).  Pay at the training.  

The goal of this training is to prepare congregations and individuals to respond effectively in the event of a disaster and to understand how to serve as Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) volunteers. The training will introduce the LCMS Disaster Response LERT program, including LERT organizational structure and safety procedures. Participants will also learn how congregations can deploy volunteers to both local and more distant disaster sites.

Location:
The training will be held on Saturday, February 28, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 709 11th Street East, Bottineau, North Dakota.

Time:
Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. for check-in, registration completion, and materials pickup. The LERT training class will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. and conclude by 5:00 p.m.

Registration:
Pre-registration is required and must be completed online. Please find and click the “Sign Up” button on this page to register. Because materials are ordered based on pre-registrations, early registration by February 15 is greatly appreciated. Walk-ins are welcome; however, classroom materials cannot be guaranteed.

Note: When you click the “Sign Up” button, you will be asked to create an account if you do not already have one. This one-time registration process includes granting permission to use class photos, reading and acknowledging the liability waiver, and selecting a T-shirt size. Each volunteer must register using their own individual email address.

Contact:
If you have any questions or concerns, please call 701-361-6441.

Payment:
The cost is $20 per person, which includes all materials and refreshments. Payment will be collected at the training.

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at K&K Dirtworks, 10841 1100 N, Evanston, IN 47531, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026. 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 the hands and feet of Jesus during a disaster.  

Snacks will be provided. Class will start promptly at 5:00 p.m. 

The registration fee is $35 per individual 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 Doug Netherton at Doug.Netherton@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

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 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 Lord of Life LERT Team.

Location:

Lord of Life Lutheran Church

40W605 IL-38

Elburn, IL 60119

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 April 25, 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 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 Messiah Lutheran Church, 1800 S 84th Street, Lincoln,  Nebraska 68506, on April 25, 2026.  Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program and how Christians can support church workers, families, congregations and the general public as the hands and feet of Jesus during times of loss.  

Registration is required online at www.LCMS-LERT.org.  When you click the "sign up" button on this page, you will first be asked to create an account if you don't already have one.  Once you have completed the site registration, you must return to the site to register for the class.  Each volunteer must have an email address to register.

A registration fee of $25 per person will cover the cost of snacks, training materials, LERT T-shirt and credentials for disaster site access.  Please bring a check to the training made out to the Nebraska District LCMS Office and note "LERT Training April 25, 2026" on your check.  Participants are urged to pre-register before April 11, 2026, so we have the proper materials for everyone.  Last-minute registrations are welcome; however, course materials may be limited if you’re not pre-registered.

The training will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Participants should arrive by 8:30 am to complete registration and sign in.

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

All interested participants are welcome to attend the LERT training; however, only LCMS members aged 14 years or older are eligible for certification as LCMS LERT volunteers.  All LERT materials will be distributed during the class. Your LERT Trainer will distribute your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt after the training is complete.

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