Trainings & Deployments From: LCMS Disaster Response & Training

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Eternal Shepherd on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Participants will be introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program and learn 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 these 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 by January 2, 2026, so we have the proper materials for everyone.  Class fee is $15. This will be done in partnership with LCMS Disaster Response. Nicole Beattie will be the instructor. If you have questions, please contact Nicole Beattie at jnb137sc@bellsouth.net

All interested participants are welcome to attend the LERT training; however, only LCMS members who are 14 years or older are eligible for certification as LCMS 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. Your LERT Trainer will distribute all materials.

Please arrive by 9:00 am to complete registration and sign in. The training will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

What will we study? This will be a discussion-based class covering topics including, but not limited to:

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 and Mercy Teams

7)      Connecting with Additional Training and Service Opportunities after this 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.

LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) 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 happen and where victims of storm damage need assistance. This event serves to fill a gap in the LERT teams needed, specifically in the Festus/Crystal City area and the surrounding counties of the Missouri District.

The $35 per-person registration fee covers lunch, training materials, a certificate, and aLERT volunteer T-shirt. Your LERT Trainer will distribute all class materials after the class.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and coffee and juice will be available. Class starts at 9:00 am and runs until noon. Everyone is encouraged to remain after class for lunch and fellowship, which Immanuel will provide.

Please send registration fees to "Immanuel Lutheran Church, 221 Brierton Lane, Festus, MO 63028. Please write LERT in the memo and on the envelope."

Please note "LERT Training January 17, 2026" on your check.

Questions? Please contact Kris Schuldt at pitchatent@centuytel.net 314-971-5747 or Dave Poley at 314-580-3733.

Please consider attending this LCMS LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) volunteer training, hosted by Christ Lutheran Church, located at 501 N. Clear Springs Rd., Mustang, OK. Completion of the class qualifies participants to serve at any LCMS-LERT disaster clean-up site. This basic training prepares volunteers to serve on a local team that stands ready to respond when disasters strike, hurdles arise, and communities need help recovering from storm damage. This event aims to fill the gap in the number of trained LERT team members, specifically in the central Oklahoma area. 

There is a $20 per person registration fee, which will cover snacks, training materials, an ID badge with a certificate and your LERT T-shirt.  Your LERT Trainer will distribute all class materials during sign-in. (Badges, certificates and shirts will be sent after completion of training.

Doors open at 8:30, the class will start at 9:00 a.m. and run until noon.

Registration must be completed by January 6.

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

The registration fee is paid on the day of the class. Make checks payable to "Christ Lutheran Church" and in the memo line write "LERT Training January 17"

Questions about the class content? Please contact Don Kelle at okddrc@gmail.com

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

A Basic LERT Training class will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Raymore, MO, on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. (with coffee and donuts provided), and the class will begin at 9:00 a.m. Lunch and training materials will be provided. The class will run for approximately four hours.

This class will help prepare congregation volunteers to assist individuals, families and the greater community with God-given, mercy-driven strength and compassion. We will reflect on how Christ has shown mercy to us and how we, in turn, can demonstrate that same Christ-like mercy to our community during times of need, whether in response to a disaster or simply by being present to listen and comfort others.

Being LERT-trained does not require any further commitment to the program, though continued involvement is encouraged so you can put your training into practice and experience the joy shared by you and your LERT teammates as you serve others.

The class fee is $35 and helps cover the cost of training materials, LERT volunteer T-shirt, morning snacks and lunch. 

If you have questions, please Email Jimbo Diley at lerttrainerjimbo@gmail.com

A Basic LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) training event is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, at Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The cost is $35 per person, payable at the event. The fee includes all training materials, refreshments, and snacks. Checks should be made payable to “MN North District – LERT Training.”

All registration is completed online. Please pre-register in advance so organizers can prepare appropriately and ensure adequate training materials. Walk-ins will be accepted; however, training materials cannot be guaranteed.

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.  

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