LUTHERAN EARLY RESPONSE TEAM (lert)
Let us not become weary of doing good. Galatians 6:9
Welcome to the St. Paul LERT Team webpage. LERT stands for Lutheran Early Response Team. We are here along with other South Wisconsin District teams and teams across the United States as part of Lutheran Church Charities. Founded in 1947, LCC is a national and worldwide ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. LERT is here to bring relief to those impacted by a natural disaster which may be anything from cleaning out homes after flooding to removing trees the result of tornados or hurricanes. We do not deploy unless invited and never charge for our services. Our main goal is to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need resulting from a disaster. We are here to serve St. Paul, our local communities and others across the United States when called upon.
Our Team meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center to hear guest speakers and/or receive additional disaster preparedness training. Many different talents are needed to become a successful group and we welcome yours, whatever talent that may be. LERT certification is required and provided within the organization. We are in need of muckers, chainsawers, draggers, food service, organizers, donors, etc. People like you!
Thank you for visiting our webpage and come back often to stay informed as to what we are doing or where we may be deployed.
In His Service,
Mark Brueggemann
St. Paul was host to LERT Training on Saturday, September 17. 20 people participated with 16 new certifications from 5 different congregations! Thank you to Pastor Nathan Meador for leading the class and to everyone that attended!
Current LERT Needs – CLICK HERE
Questions about our team?
Contact Mark Brueggemann at mb3g1b@yahoo.com
Monthly Meetings
Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday each Month at 6:30pm in the St. Paul Family Life Center
UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS
- January 14, 2025; 6:30pm
- February 11, 2025; 6:30pm
- March 11, 2025; 6:30pm
- Wednesday, April 2: Lenten Meal
- April 8, 2025; 6:30pm
- May 13, 2025; 6:30pm
- June 10, 2025; 6:30pm
- July 8, 2025; 6:30pm
Current appointed Positions
Alabama 2021
These are pictures of the destruction in Alabama where we deployed for a week in April 2021. The LERT teams were based, housed and fed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Calhoun County, AL and hosted by Rev. John Reynolds Pastor of Trinity. Destruction was spread over a large multi-county area where we were able to help clear 17 different sites.
Kentucky 2022
These are pictures of the devastation in Bowling Green, KY. Tornados went through this city and others resulting in 17 deaths and countless people left homeless. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Rev. Andrew Toopes were scheduled to be the host congregation but, because of the multiple fatalities, the LERT teams were moved to Paducah. Pastor Toopes lost a family of five from his congregation. He is also the Police Chaplain so was involved in the notification of next of kin for all the deceased. Bev & I visited him in January and he was kind enough to drive us around to witness the destruction personally.
Walcamp Training & LERT Certification
Lutheran Church Charities held a Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) Chainsaw Training and Service Event Workday at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on April 29-30, 2022. On Friday evening, the Basic LCMS Chainsaw class was co-led by LCC/LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire.
A Basic Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training class was held at the South Wisconsin District Office 8100 W Capitol Dr. Milwaukee on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Participants were introduced to the LCMS Disaster Response program, learned the basic nature of disasters, the opportunities to respond to personal needs in disasters, and how Christians can support families, congregations and the public as the hands and feet of Jesus during trying times of natural disasters.