Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & 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

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 2021 W SR 426, Oviedo, FL, from 6-9 pm on Friday, March 6.

Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learn the basic nature of disasters, understand 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.

Anyone 14 years and older who is interested is welcome to attend this LERT training session and will receive credentials as LCMS LERT volunteers. Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. You will receive your certificate of participation, volunteer ID card, and T-shirt after the training is complete. Your LERT trainer will distribute all the LERT materials before and after the class. A lunch will be provided.

The registration fee is $25 per person. This fee helps cover the costs of manuals, ID Badges, t-shirts and trainer expenses. Please make checks payable to the St. Luke's Lutheran Church and bring them with you on the day of training. Please note on the memo line: 'LERT Training'.

Registration should be completed two weeks prior to the training date. For questions or additional information, please contact Steve Lehenbauer at slehenbauer@sllcs.org or 407-365-3408

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

LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) Basic Training Event, for new volunteer certification, or as a refresher for previously trained. Taking the training does not commit you to any specific deployment (on-site work), although we encourage active participation when possible! Each deployment is completely voluntary. 

Basic training prepares volunteers to be received at LERT disaster sites, to respond when life hurdles happen, and to assist survivors in need.  Completing Basic LERT training will also help your area team grow to serve the community for local missions of mercy. This event serves to fill a gap of needed LERT team(s), specifically in Iowa District West and the surrounding LCMS districts.

Basic training is materials and discussion-based.

A $20 registration fee per person includes dinner, LERT training materials, an ID badge, a certificate, and a T-shirt. Your LERT Trainer will distribute all class materials during sign-in. (Badges, certificates, and shirts will be sent after completion of training)

Sign-in and light dinner at 5:00, training 5:30 - 9:00 pm.

Please have your registration check made out to "IDW" and note "LERT Training 3/26/26" in the memo. Exact cash will be accepted, but checks are preferred. 

Questions? Please contact Julie Mann at 515-408-9696 or Julie@IowaDistrictWest.org

Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Training Event, for new or renewing/reviewing volunteer certification. Enables volunteers to be received at disaster clean-up sites. Prepares groups to serve on a local team that stands ready to respond when disasters occur and when victims of storm damage need assistance. This event helps fill a gap in the number of LERT teams needed, specifically in the St. Louis, Mo. area and the surrounding counties of the Missouri District.

The $15 per-person registration fee covers supper, training materials, a certificate, and LERT volunteer T-shirt. Your LERT Trainer will distribute the credentials and t-shirt several weeks after the class.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and coffee, water and soda will be available. Class starts at 5:30 pm and runs until 9:00 pm. Everyone is encouraged to come at 5:00 pm before the class for supper and fellowship, which Village will provide.

Please send registration fees to Village Lutheran Church, 9237 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63124. Please write, "LERT Training 4-24-2026" on the memo line of the check, and "LERT Training" on the envelope.

Questions? Please contact Kris Schuldt at pitchatent@centurytel.net 314-971-5747, or Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson 314-278-7050.

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.

Join us for a North Wisconsin District Basic LERT Training event

On Saturday, April 25th

Starting at 9 am (Doors open at 8:00 am for 8:30 am check-in)

At Christ Lutheran Church 

Located at 1208 W. 14th Street, Marshfield, WI 54449

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

A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 165 Camden Woods Pkwy E, Kingsland, GA  from 9 - 2 on Friday May 15, 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. The registration fee will be covered by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, which will cover the costs of manuals, ID Badge, trainer expenses and a T-shirt.  Training material will be distributed on day of training and after the training.  Registration should be completed two weeks prior to the training date. For questions or additional information, please contact Marcia Potter at marciapotter705@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