LERT Update

September 2026

“And let us not grow weary of doing good…” (Galatians 6:9 ESV)

Our disaster response teams (AKA Lutheran Early Response Teams) across the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod have remained busy serving communities affected by disasters. The Mid-South District saw less storms than they have in previous years. That allowed our Mid-South District teams to work on local mercy work for our neighbors in need.

Our District Disaster Response Coordinators (DDRC), Kurt Ludwig and Rev. Trae Fistler, traveled to Belvoir Christian Academy in Chattanooga, TN late in June to teach a Basic LERT and LERT Basic Chainsaw Training for the congregations within that circuit. We had a great training welcoming new LERT volunteers to our ranks.

Rev. Trae Fistler has been working in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response Training and six chosen senior chainsaw instructors from across the LCMS to update and expand the chainsaw curriculum. We now offer three different levels of chainsaw instruction: The LERT Basic Chainsaw Training, Intermediate Chainsaw Training, and a 3 Day Advanced Chainsaw Training. The basic course focuses on introducing new sawyers to the LERT chainsaw program, focusing heavily on how to safely operate and maintain a chainsaw. The Intermediate Chainsaw Training treads into the mechanics of safely felling (cutting down) a standing tree. Each operator has the opportunity for more saw time and they get to fell a tree with one on one instruction. Our 3 Day Advanced Chainsaw Training dives deeper into bucking, limbing, and felling storm damaged trees. Storm damaged trees are significantly more dangerous than standing trees and that’s why tree services charge emergency rates. The trees these companies see after storms are what our volunteers work on every time they deploy to disasters.

Thank you for all prayers and support as we continue to serve in Jesus’ name those affected by storms.