The Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) ministry responds to immediate and long-term needs following natural and man-made disasters, working through LCMS districts and congregations, international Lutheran churches and other partners. LERT builds partner capacity to respond with Christian care to needs within the church and their communities.
Volunteer LERT Trainings in 2024
Click here to learn about upcoming LERT training opportunities in Florida and Georgia.
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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s disaster response ministry responds to immediate and long-term needs following natural and man-made disasters, working through LCMS districts and congregations, international Lutheran churches and other partners. We build partners’ capacity to respond with Christian care to needs within the church and their communities.
God calls us to be His hands reaching out to bring what peace, relief and assistance we can to those who suffer the devastating effects of disasters. To that end, the Florida-Georgia District is training congregation members to be certified as a Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) member.
Following a disaster, people with chainsaw skills are in high demand. That is why the Florida-Georgia District wants to equip Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) members the ability to provide this service safely and efficiently. There are currently no available sessions. Read more about what training entails below.
During the training, you will learn the following:
- How to cut down trees
- How to buck and limb fallen trees
- The physics of felling trees
- How to clear debris in a safe and beneficial manner
- Safety with chainsaws
- Personal protective equipment(PPE)
The chainsaw training serves to increase our dedicated volunteers’ capabilities and give them added capacity to extend mercy to those who haven’t the means or skills to perform this dangerous work in their communities.
If you would like to sponsor a LERT training or chainsaw training event, please contact Jay Wendland, FLGA District Disaster Relief Coordinator at 407-258-5041 or you may email Jay at jwendland@flgadistrict.org.
LERT is a mercy-based group, “We show the love of Christ to people who are hurting and in need.
Please donate to Disaster Response.
As you prepare for the Hurricane Season, we have provided some helpful resources for you. Please read the information in the links below.
• FLGA District Hurricane Prep Email
• NOAA 2023 Hurricane Season
• CDC—Preparing for Hurricane or Other Storms
The Disaster Response Resources listed below are from the 2022 hurricanes in southwest Florida.
The link below will take you to an Amazon list of hurricane relief supplies for those affected by Hurricane Ian. Many individuals and families, less fortunate, lost everything. This list is to help restore what they lost and need and help the families to adjust to the NEW normal of living.
Hurricane Ian Amazon Wish List
*Please purchase these items and have them shipped to the requested address
Please mail gift cards directly to the Florida-Georgia District office for distribution to Southwest Florida LCMS congregation staff and families.
Gift cards accepted: Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, and national chain restaurants.
Mail gift cards to:
Florida-Georgia District
Attn: Disaster Response
5850 T.G. Lee Blvd Suite 500
Orlando, FL 32822
LCMS Disaster Response: Proclaiming the Gospel at all times
LCMS Response to Hurricane Ian Underway
“God is still here’: Response to Hurricane Ian continues
Volunteers needed in Florida
Hurricane Ian supply distribution begins
LERT volunteers help with hurricane cleanup
Lutheran Early Response Team: ‘Going the distance’ in a disaster
Support hurricane relief by purchasing needed items