Disaster Response

Congregations and schools are encouraged to send funds for disaster relief to one of the following organizations during times of natural disasters:

Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Training

Responding to a disaster is a vital part of who we are as members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Responding to a disaster allows a congregation to confess Christ to their community, region and world in ways they may have never considered before. Lutheran Early Response Team Training helps prepare congregations and individual members to be better prepared when a disaster strikes, and helps them know how to respond in word and deed within their community.

If you have already been trained as a part of the Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT), you can help us by making sure that you are registered as a part of the new national database of LERT trained volunteers.  Please log in to the LERT volunteer portal to make sure your information is up to date: https://www.lcms-lert.org/user/login/

Visit the LCMS website to learn more about LERT training.

Soldiers of the Cross: Financial assistance opportunities for church workers

LCMS Soldiers of the Cross Amplified offers the assistance of special grants to church workers in this COVID pandemic. Funds may be limited or not currently available.

LCMS Soldiers of the Cross offers temporary financial assistance for: LCMS-rostered ordained or commissioned ministers; Surviving spouses of retired LCMS-rostered ordained or commissioned ministers; Non-rostered (lay) LCMS district, church, school or RSO employees; Church workers from partner churches who are residing in the U.S. 

Eligibility: LCMS-rostered ordained or commissioned ministers; Surviving spouses of retired LCMS-rostered ordained or commissioned ministers; Non-rostered (lay) LCMS district, church, school or RSO employees; Church workers from partner churches who are residing in the U.S.

Criteria: Soldiers of the Cross (SOC) is the grant program through which the LCMS may respond to a financial crisis that arises unexpectedly in a church worker’s life. SOC grants are for a situation in which the short-term financial help requested will demonstrably help to alleviate the immediate crisis. Funds provide only short-term assistance, usually to cover a period of 30–90 days. The following are examples, but do not limit the application of aid to other situations: Health or medical crisis; Counseling; Financial incapacity of a church congregation or organization to pay her workers; Transition relating to employment or family crisis; Legal situation; Traumatic event

VISIT THE SYNOD WEBSITE for details and applications.

Make an impact by supporting struggling church workers

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) provides financial assistance through the Soldiers of the Cross program to church workers in crisis situations. You can support this initiative through a direct donation by check or their online portal. Learn more about making a donation at this link.

 

Comfort Dog Ministry

The Nebraska District is home to five Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs. The dogs and their handlers can be contacted for visits to congregations, schools, and within your community.

Helpful Online Resources

Recommended Government Preparedness Websites: